The Gare de Lyon was awash with excitement on March 11, 2025, as the Société nationale des chemins de fer français (SNCF) and French manufacturer Alstom unveiled the interior of the much-anticipated TGV M, the latest innovation set to redefine high-speed rail travel. This new model, which has already experienced delays and is expected to enter circulation by 2026, is packed with features aimed at becoming the world reference for high-speed trains.
Christophe Fanichet, CEO of SNCF Voyageurs, expressed the significance of the event, stating, "This fifth-generation TGV, forty-five years after the first, will leave a mark and become the standard for decades to come." Henri Poupart-Lafarge, Alstom's CEO, echoed this sentiment by proclaiming the TGV M as "a technological gem, with unparalleled performance." Even Philippe Tabarot, the Minister of Transport, praised the train as a symbol of French industrial excellence.
The results of collaborative design efforts can be seen throughout the train, thanks to the partnership between Alstom, the SNCF’s internal design agency Arep, and Japanese design studio Nendo. Among its notable features, first-class seating has been upgraded, with seats five centimeters wider than previous models, equipped with full armrests and adjustable headrests. The aisles of the first-class section will be adorned with vibrant red, contrasted by blue aisles in second class.
Notably, the TGV M will demonstrate significant improvements concerning luggage storage and passenger comfort. Large overhead shelves will accommodate larger bags, but small luggage will now have to be stowed under seats, as the above-bench spaces will only fit lighter items like coats. For bicycle transport, the trains will include eight designated slots for non-dismounted bikes.
Alstom has also emphasized passenger comfort as a priority. The new design promises to allow more legroom—an additional five centimeters compared to previous generations—and employs knitted fabric seat coverings to provide what has been described as "hammock effect" seating suitable for all body types.
Among the various inventive features presented was the revamped car-bar, which has been rebranded as "Le Bistro." This area will span two levels, featuring 28 seating options on the mezzanine for dining or relaxing, and will boast self-service options with refrigerators stocked with food and drinks, alongside coffee machines and automatic checkout stations below. Alain Krakovitch, Director of TGV-Intercités, mentioned the goal was to create not just a bar, but "a true communal space for enjoying time on the train."
Accessibility was another focal point of the TGV M's design. A dedicated car for passengers with reduced mobility (PMR) includes necessary amenities such as elevators for easy access and space to accommodate five wheelchairs, doubling the capacity from current TGV models. This ensures independence for PMR travelers, allowing them to board without assistance. Fanichet touted this train as "the first where passengers with reduced mobility can board autonomously," underscoring the significant breakthrough.
Despite these advancements, some challenges have arisen. Alstom's Henri Poupart-Lafarge acknowledged delivery delays, attributing them to logistical planning matters rather than technical hurdles. "There are no major issues causing these delays, just planning questions," he explained. The French government has committed to backing this initiative, approving €781 million for the Moroccan expansion of the TGV system.
With its eye on the future, the SNCF has noted the importance of sustainable energy use, with the TGV M set to consume 20% less energy than current models, alongside reducing maintenance costs by 30%. This is particularly strategic as the SNCF plans to expand routes, including one to Italy, after launching the TGV M on the Paris-Lyon-Marseille line.
The anticipation is palpable, with the first units expected early 2026, after extensive testing—each train is slated to complete over one million kilometers before being commercially deployed. Traveling on the TGV M might not just be about getting from point A to B anymore; it could become the epitome of modern rail travel.
For the SNCF, which invested four billion euros to order 115 units, this launch means much more than just new trains. It embodies the future of rail travel, aiming to meet increasing passenger demand amid stiff competition from cheaper alternatives and international services. With all eyes on the TGV M, will it live up to the lofty promises of its makers? The industry certainly hopes so, as they prepare to compete on this heavily trafficked corridor.