Paris Motorshow 2026: The Smart #2 will succeed the Smart Fortwo
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Paris Motorshow 2026: The Smart #2 will succeed the Smart Fortwo
- The all-new Smart #2, designed by Geely in China, is expected to debut at the 2026 Paris Motor Show in October. Like its predecessor, the Smart #2 will be a fully electric compact city car, similar to the latest Smart Fortwo assembled in France.
- The new Smart #2 is expected to resemble the previous Fortwo, but its interior will be very different. Notably, it will feature a rear bench seat, like the previous Toyota iQ. The S-shaped dashboard, with its flowing lines, is also designed to optimize space.
- The 2.70-meter-long model will be based on an entirely new platform, called Electric Compact Architecture (ECA) by Geely. Smart's goal is to create a compact and efficient electric vehicle capable of performing equally well on the open road and in the city. Thanks to its 35.7 kWh battery, the new Smart offers a range of 300 km.
- Like other Smart models, the new #2 was designed by the Mercedes design team, who worked to give this new city car its own identity while retaining its resemblance to the previous Fortwo. Its price is expected to be between €20,000 and €25,000.
Paris Motorshow 2026: The Mercedes AMG GT 4-door will remain a niche model
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Paris Motorshow 2026: The Mercedes AMG GT 4-door will remain a niche model
- The very first 100% electric car entirely developed by AMG will grace the Mercedes stand at the 2026 Paris Motor Show. Its features are impressive: 1,169 hp , 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.1 s, peak charging power of 600 kW to recover more than 460 km of range in just 10 minutes.
- The model, which will be called the AMG GT 4-door, will replace the previous AMG GT 4-door, which had a combustion engine.
- The AMG GT models have never been big successes, as they have often sold between 5,000 and 10,000 units per year, including the 2-door coupe and convertible versions.
- A peak was reached in 2019, but the Covid crisis in 2020, followed by the arrival of a new Mercedes SL in 2021, caused the AMG GT coupes and convertibles to lose much of their appeal. The AMG GT 4-door sedan has therefore become both the most sought-after and the most exclusive AMG.
Paris Motorshow 2026: Inovev forecasts 180,000 units per year of the new Mercedes GLA
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Paris Motorshow 2026: Inovev forecasts 180,000 units per year of the new Mercedes GLA
- Mercedes begins production in Europe of its new generation of its GLA compact SUV.
- The GLA is an entirely new model that replaces both the previous GLA and the previous electric EQA. It is therefore a C-segment SUV, competing with the Audi Q3 (internal combustion engine) and Q4 (electric motor), the BMW X1 (internal combustion engine) and iX1 (electric motor), as well as the Volvo XC40 (internal combustion engine) and EX40 (electric motor).
- The new GLA is produced, like its predecessor, at the Rastatt plant in Germany, alongside the recently launched CLA, which uses the same platform (MMA). Like the CLA, the new GLA is available as a 48V mild-hybrid (MHEV) based on the 1.5-liter engine and as a fully electric vehicle (BEV). For the electric version, two battery options are available: a 58 kWh LFP battery for the 221 hp electric motor and an 85 kWh NMC battery for the 276 hp electric motor. A four-wheel-drive version completes the range, featuring two electric motors for a combined output of 349 hp. The 276 hp version offers a WLTP range of 657 km.
- The new GLA is 4.57 meters long, which is 16 cm longer than the old model and 11 cm longer than the EQA.
- Inovev forecasts a production of 180,000 units in Germany by 2030.
Paris Motorshow 2026: Inovev forecasts to sell 5,000 units per year of the new Mercedes VLE
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Paris Motorshow 2026: Inovev forecasts to sell 5,000 units per year of the new Mercedes VLE
- Mercedes has just unveiled the new generation of its large, battery electric EQV minivan, now called the VLE, as the carmaker has decided to gradually phase out the EQ designation in its new electric range. This is the case for the recent electric versions of the Mercedes GLB and GLC SUVs, as well as the recent electric versions of the CLA sedans.
- The VLE minivan draws inspiration from the recent trend of large luxury minivans, particularly those developing in the Chinese market. As a result, the VLE boasts a level of prestige never before seen in this type of vehicle in Europe, approaching that of a Mercedes-Benz S-Class Maybach. It is built on a platform (VAN.EA) and features a completely bespoke 800V electrical architecture, unlike that of a standard commercial vehicle, offering performance, handling, and comfort comparable to any high-end sedan.
- Measuring 5.30 m long, 2.00 m wide, and 2.00 m high, the VLE features a 115 kWh NMC battery coupled to a 262 hp (193 kW) electric motor mounted at the front, enabling a range of 700 km according to the WLTP cycle—twice that of the previous EQV. This improvement is due not only to the large-capacity battery but also to significant enhancements in aerodynamics and electric motor efficiency. Mercedes thus announces a drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.25, identical to that of the new generation of electric vehicles.
- The electric vehicle will also be available from next year in a lower battery capacity version (80 kWh battery) and a more powerful version (dual motors totaling 409 hp ). Inovev estimates annual production of the electric vehicle at 5,000 units (in Vitoria, Spain), which is almost double the production volume of the previous EQV. Until further notice, the Mercedes V-Class hybrid continues to be marketed without any changes to its body style.
Paris Motorshow 2026: Inovev forecasts 50,000 units per year for the new Mercedes C-Class Electric
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Paris Motorshow 2026: Inovev forecasts 50,000 units per year for the new Mercedes C-Class Electric
- Mercedes has unveiled its new all-electric D-segment sedan, the C-Class Electric. The manufacturer has scrapped the EQC name initially planned for this model, as the EQ designations apparently failed to attract customers. The EQB SUV suffered the same fate, ultimately being named the GLB Electric. Similarly, the SUV replacing the EQC is now called the GLC Electric. Finally, the replacement for the EQV minivan is called the VLE. It is therefore expected that the EQE and EQS will soon be replaced by new E-Class and S-Class Electric models.
- The new Mercedes C-Class Electric sedan, based on the MB.EA platform of the GLC Electric, differs from the combustion engine version that will continue to exist alongside it for a few years. It will directly compete with the recently launched BMW i3 electric sedan in the D segment. It will also rival the Mercedes CLA Electric, launched last year. Fifteen centimeters separate the two Mercedes electric sedans, with the CLA measuring 4.73 m while the C-Class Electric reaches 4.88 m (13 cm longer than the combustion engine C-Class).
- The C-Class Electric features a 272 hp (200 kW) motor, like the electric CLA, but with an 800V architecture. A second version is also available with two motors producing a combined 354 hp (260 kW). Consequently, it has a larger battery than the CLA, at 94 kWh instead of 85 kWh. The manufacturer estimates a range of over 750 km according to the WLTP cycle.
- The Mercedes C-Class Electric will be produced at the Bremen site, at a rate of up to 50,000 units in 2030. It could also be produced in China for local demand.
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