Paris Motor Show 2024 Review

The Paris Motor Show saw the unveiling of some superb new EVs, we pick our best five cars from the French capital.

Renault 4 E-Tech

The fab four is back. No, not John, Paul, George and Ringo, we mean the Renault 4. Not seen since 1992, the new Renault 4 E-tech continues the versatility and practicality of its predecessor and now adds EV tech too.

From the three-part lights to the side mouldings and rear quarter windows, there are lots of design cues making a nod to the original 4, which we love. The biggest one of those retro-touches is unquestionably the large electric canvas roof that’s 80x92cm and can open by voice control.

There’s plenty of substance behind the style too with a flat-folding passenger seat for extra long loads, a 420 litre boot with bag hooks and storage compartments as well as a choice of 40kWh or 52kWh batteries with up to a 250 mile range.

Peugeot E-408

Having had a plug-in hybrid version for some time, Peugeot’s 408 coupe now has an all-electric version in the form of this new E-408. It boasts the same sleek coupe looks as its petrol and PHEV stablemates, but now boasts a 58.2kWh battery with a range of up to 281 miles.

The E-408’s styling also boasts specific aerodynamic design for its bumpers and front air intake, underbody panels and lower rear panels giving it an excellent electricity efficiency of 4.09mls/kWh. And if the E-408 goes as well as it looks, then that certainly bodes well!

Renault Twingo E-Tech prototype

Do the best things come in small packages? We certainly think so, if this gorgeous new Renault Twingo is anything to go by. Echoing the styling of the 1992 original, it features cute semi-circle headlights and tail-lights and a shape exactly like the first Twingo. That retro-stying is also echoed in the round doorhandles and the glass roof as well, making this the perfect urban EV.

The bad news is that this Twingo E-Tech is still only a prototype at the moment, so we don’t know any more details about it. However, the good news is that Renault has promised it will go on sale in 2026 at less than £20,000. We can’t wait.

Renault R17 electric restomod

Completing the step back in time on Renault’s stand in Paris was this delightful R17 electric restomod. Based on the shape of the old Renault 17 launched in 1971, this is a new angle on an old car that we think is absolutely stunning.

From the same sharp angles and the triangular rear quarter panel, the R17 perfectly echoes the styling of the popular original in a design that Renault calls ‘retro-futuristic’ – more than 92,000 of the original Renault 17s were sold between 1971 and 1979. With an all-electric motor, it boasts 270bhp and we’d love it to follow the new Renault 4 above as well as the new Renault 5 into production.

Citroen Ami

Happy fourth birthday Citroen Ami! An amazing 65,000 people worldwide have bought a Citroen Ami since it arrived in 2020 and now it has had a mid-life refresh with a new look to the front, sharper lines and Lego-cube style wheel trims.

Also at Paris was the Ami Buggy Vision concept with no doors and a sunroof, hooks in the doors for two kite surfboards and a special luggage compartment for the kite sail. We’ve got a real soft spot for the Citroen Ami here at Ohme and love the fact that it exists with its 28mph top speed and 43 mile range. EV motoring comes in all shapes and sizes!