European-American automotive giant Stellantis dominated the Paris motor show this week by presenting numerous concept vehicles, even as additional Chinese brands such as BYD and Changan outlined their strategies for expanding into Europe.

Besides the striking Alfa Romeo Cuorerosso concept, the nostalgic Peugeot RCZ Vision and E-T16 concepts, and the retro-inspired Citroen 2CV concept, Stellantis displayed concepts from three further European brands.

The DS F3VER concept signaled a fresh design path for DS Automobiles, a marque sometimes seen as uncertain amid Stellantis managing over a dozen brands, while the Fiat Multiplay carries a recognizable name on a novel body style, and the Opel STX concept illustrates potential future wagons from the German brand.

Technically, Lancia offered no new debut at the event, though it displayed various examples from its recently launched Gamma mid-size SUV range, marking its second new model in two years following more than a decade without fresh vehicles.

DS F3VER

DS Automobiles, a premium Europe-oriented brand derived from Citroen, introduced the F3VER as an exploratory concept car that begins a new phase in its design narrative.

Yet it echoes one of the brand's early models, the DS 3, previously sold as a Citroen before DS Automobiles formed. Similar to the DS 3, the F3VER concept is a compact hatchback with a two-tone exterior finish.

It includes an electric powertrain that promises leading electric range, although DS Automobiles has not provided any powertrain or battery details.

The F3VER spans 4.19m in length, 1.84m in width and 1.46m in height on a 2.7m wheelbase, making it roughly 200mm longer overall in the wheelbase and 130mm wider than the Citroen DS 3 sold locally, with compact front and rear overhangs.

Angular lighting elements similar to recent DS models appear at the front, while the tail-lights mirror the shape of the original DS 3 but incorporate a light tunnel effect that creates an impression of infinite extension.

Both the front fascia and rear bumper include a vertical totem that holds the DS logo.

These crisp, angular design features contrast with flowing, muscular body panels such as the fenders and bonnet, and the concept wears Cosmic Blue dichroic paint offset by champagne-coloured accents on the roof and wheels.

Fiat Multiplay

Adopting a name previously used on an inventive yet divisive people mover, now with a y added, the Multiplay concept is a mid-size vehicle measuring 4.45m long that blends aspects of people movers, SUVs and utes.

The Multiplay incorporates what Fiat terms its Metamorfosi C-pillar architecture, a movable rear module that enables conversion from a three-row people mover to a four-seat ute with an open bed.

Fiat is not the initial brand to present such an idea. Earlier this year, Chery showed the Tiggo V SUV with a removable rear canopy and third row that allows conversion into a ute-like vehicle; the Deepal E07 Multitruck already available in Australia can also switch from a sleek coupe SUV to a dual-cab ute at the touch of a button.

The rear spoiler can rotate to serve as an integrated bike rack when the Multiplay is in ute mode, while in people mover form the vehicle uses a 6+1 layout with a Petsenger seat, a modular piece that can function as dedicated pet space, a small table, or a child seat mount.

Further features include an outer section of the Petsenger seat that detaches for use as a leash; a front passenger seat that converts into a lounge chair when parked, with the dashboard acting as a backrest; and a display that retracts into the dashboard when the vehicle is off.

The whole vehicle appears in green exterior paint with a red and green interior, designed to evoke a watermelon.

The concept name references not only the clever 1998 Multipla, a six-seat two-row people mover under four metres long, but also the 1956 600 Multipla that accommodated the same number of occupants in a vehicle just 3.5m long.

Opel STX

The Opel Sports Tourer eXperimental Concept, or STX Concept, presents the Stellantis-owned brand's outlook for upcoming wagons.

Opel adds that it represents the next step in Opel's design approach, even bolder, even purer, even more emotional and even more efficient, and anticipates the visionary evolution of the estate body style.

Although described as an estate, it is far bolder than prior longroof Opels such as the Astra Sports Tourer.

The roof line drops sharply toward the rear, ending abruptly in a Kammback-style tail.

Sharp side creases and bold rear fenders appear, along with active aerodynamics including diffusers that extend from the rear at select speeds.

Opel's signature face has grown bolder. The Vizor seen on Opel vehicles has become taller and more prominent, which Opel states contrasts directly with many electric cars that use an ultra-slim face.

The Vizor occupies most of the front fascia and includes slim slanted vertical lighting elements that seem to fade toward the vehicle centre.

The bonnet and front bumper carry sharp creases that align with the sides and roof, and various blue accents appear on the exterior.

Especially notable design touches are the glass light strips that link to the rear side windows, matching similar elements on the roof.

The STX sits on aerodynamically refined three-section alloy wheels fitted with 285/35 R22 Goodyear tyres.

The concept uses an electric powertrain, all-wheel drive, and a top speed above 200km/h, though no further performance or battery information has been released.

Our Opel STX Concept reinterprets the estate, said Opel CEO Florian Huettl in a press release. The study displays signature traits that will appear in future Opel models and highlights Opel's position as an estate pioneer in Europe.