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The TGV M is here! What's it all about? The fifth generation of SNCF high-speed trains, the TGV M is the fruit of close collaboration between SNCF Voyageurs and Alstom. Scheduled to enter service at the end of 2025, it marks a break with previous generations, emphasizing flexibility and efficiency rather than speed.
For our podcast Je t'offre un rail? - in partnership with SNCF Connect - David Goeres, TGV M project manager, reveals the innovations of this revolutionary train. With 25 years' experience within the company, this railway enthusiast with an atypical background tells us all about this train of the future: modularity, ecology and adaptability for sustainable mobility!
“What's exciting about this project is that it's not just about making a train that runs, but a train that meets the needs of today and, above all, tomorrow. The TGV M is designed to be evolutionary, adaptable, and to accompany the transformations in mobility for the next 30 years.” - David Goeres, TGV M project manager
The TGV M - where the “M” stands for “modularity” - is designed to adapt to passengers' changing needs. "One of the major shortcomings of previous generations was their fixed structure, explains David Goeres. With the TGV M, we've designed a train where almost everything can be changed: seats, fittings, on-board technology. It's a bit like an Ikea train, with standardized fixing points for total flexibility."
This modularity translates into the ability to quickly switch from an Ouigo configuration (740 seats) to a classic InOui configuration (600 seats, including first and second classes). “What used to take weeks of work on the old trains can now be done in a single day by two agents. This not only saves a huge amount of time, but also enables us to respond quickly to market needs."
In contrast to other countries that are aiming for speed records, the TGV M has been designed to maintain a maximum speed of 320 km/h. This choice is based on ecological and economic logic:
“We could design a train going 350 or 360 km/h, but that's not our objective. We know that the ideal speed - the one that balances cost, wear and tear on the infrastructure and energy consumption - is 320 kph. Our priority is to reduce the carbon impact of rail travel."
The TGV M consumes 20% less energy than previous generations, while being 97% recyclable. A performance that David describes as “a champion in the rail industry”.
In addition to its modular layout, the TGV M stands out for its technological flexibility:
“Whether it's integrating 6G or other technologies that don't yet exist, the TGV M is designed to easily accommodate these innovations. Technical areas are designed to be dismantled and replaced quickly, ensuring that this train will remain at the cutting edge for decades to come.”
It took almost ten years to develop the TGV M, a timeframe justified by the complexity of the project. "A TGV is 450 tons traveling at 320 km/h, explains David. Even with 40 years' experience, it's still a technological challenge. And as with any major innovation, the test phases enable us to identify areas for improvement before homologation.”
Regarding the delays in the schedule, he adds: “We've had to make adjustments, because the aim is to deliver a safe, reliable, high-performance train. The tests have enabled us to refine certain concepts, and Alstom has risen to these challenges to deliver a product that is up to the task.”
Each TGV M trainset costs between 30 and 35 million euros, an investment financed entirely by SNCF Voyageurs' own funds. David explains: “Contrary to what you might think, there's no public money involved in the purchase of TGVs. They are non-conventional trains, so their cost is directly linked to the revenues generated by their operation.”
The TGV M is also part of a European dynamic. Thanks to its modularity, it can adapt to the infrastructures of different countries. “Today, we have to deal with growing European competition. The TGV M is our answer: a high-performance, economical train that's ready to cross borders.”
The TGV M symbolizes a new stage for high-speed rail in France and Europe. With a design focused on modularity, ecology and adaptability, it meets the challenges of a changing world.
“This train is a vision of the future. It's not just about meeting today's needs, but anticipating those of the next 30 years. The TGV M is not just an evolution, it's a revolution for rail.” - David Goeres
Scheduled for launch in 2025, the TGV M promises to leave a lasting mark on the history of rail transport, with the first line scheduled to run between Paris, Lyon and Marseille.
MAJ du 12/03/25: and for an exclusive look inside these new TGV M trains and to find out what to expect (comfort, PRM accessibility, bistro car...), you can check out this article!
To make sure you don't miss a single episode and discover other expert interviews, don't hesitate to suscribe to the podcast on your favorite listening platforms. Thanks to our partner SNCF Connect, the benchmark application for train travel and sustainable mobility, which accompanies over 15 million users on their journeys in France and Europe.
