TGV M: a look inside future inOui trains
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Published on 3/12/25, modified on 7/22/26
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That's it—the TGV M is coming. What is it all about? SNCF's Fifth Generation of High-Speed Trains, the TGV M is the result of close collaboration between SNCF Voyageurs and Alstom. Scheduled to enter service by the end of the year, it marks a departure from previous generations, by focusing on flexibility and efficiency rather than speed.
For our podcast Want a hit? - in partnership with SNCF Connect - David Goeres, head of the TGV M project, reveals the innovations behind this revolutionary train. With 25 years of experience at the company, this rail enthusiast with an unconventional career path tells us all about this train of the future: modularity, sustainability, and adaptability for sustainable mobility!
“What’s exciting about this project is that it’s not just about building a train that runs, but a train that meets the needs of today and, above all, of tomorrow. The TGV M is designed to be scalable, adaptable, and to support the transformation of mobility over the next 30 years". » - David Goeres, TGV M Project Manager
The TGV M—where the “M” stands for “modularity” — is designed to adapt to travelers’ changing needs. “ One of the major shortcomings of previous generations was their rigid structure, explains David Goeres. “With the TGV M, we’ve designed a train where almost everything can be changed: the seats, the interior layout, and the onboard technology. It’s a bit like an IKEA train, where standardized mounting points allow for total flexibility.”
This modularity means that it is possible to quickly switch between configurations Ouigo (740 seats) in a standard configuration InOui (600 seats, including first- and second-class seating). "What used to take weeks of work on the old trains can now be done in a single day by two employees. This is a huge time saver, but it also gives us the flexibility to respond quickly to market needs."
Unlike other countries that focus on speed records, the TGV M was designed to maintain a maximum speed of 320 km/h. This decision is based on both environmental and economic considerations:
"We could design a train that travels at 350 or 360 km/h, but that's not our goal. We know that the ideal speed—the one that balances cost, infrastructure wear and tear, and energy consumption—is 320 km/h." Our priority is to reduce the carbon footprint of rail travel. "
The TGV M consumes 20% less energy compared to previous generations, while still being 97% recyclable. David describes this achievement as “unmatched in the rail industry.”
In addition to its modular interior layout, the TGV M stands out for its technological flexibility:
"Whether it's to incorporate 6G or other technologies that don't yet exist, the TGV M is designed to easily accommodate these innovations. The technical compartments are designed to be quickly removed and replaced, which ensures that This train will remain at the cutting edge for decades to come. "
The development of the TGV M required nearly ten years, a delay justified by the complexity of the project. "A TGV is 450 metric tons traveling at 320 km/h, David explains. Even with 40 years of experience, it’s still a technological challenge. And as with any major innovation, the testing phases help identify areas for improvement before certification."
Regarding the delays in the schedule, he adds: "We've had to make some adjustments because the goal is to deliver a safe, reliable, and high-performance train. "The tests helped refine certain concepts, and Alstom was able to rise to these challenges to deliver a product that meets the standards."
Each TGV M train set costs between 30 and 35 million euros, an investment fully financed with SNCF Voyageurs' own funds. David explains: "Contrary to what one might think, there is No public funds should be used to purchase TGV trains. "These are non-contracted trains, so their cost is directly linked to the revenue generated by their operation."
The TGV M is also part of a European momentum. Thanks to its modular design, it can be adapted to the infrastructure of different countries. "Today, we have to contend with growing competition from Europe. The TGV M is our answer: a high-performance, cost-effective train that’s ready to cross borders."
The TGV M symbolizes a A new milestone for high-speed rail in France and Europe. With a design focused on modularity, sustainability, and adaptability, it addresses the challenges of a changing world.
"This train, It's a vision of the future. It’s not just a matter of meeting current needs, but of anticipating those of the next 30 years. The TGV M isn’t just an evolution—it’s a A Revolution in Rail Transportation". " - David Goeres
With its launch scheduled for 2025 (Editor's note: The launch has ultimately been postponed to September 2026), the TGV M promises to leave a lasting mark on the history of rail transportation, with its first line planned to run between Paris, Lyon, and Marseille.
Update as of June 1, 2026: At the end of May, the TGV M received its marketing authorization from the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA)—the final step before it enters service. Its commercial launch, originally scheduled for July 1, 2026, is now set for early September 2026. [We’ve outlined the new timeline here](link to the article on the new-generation TGV M).
And to get an exclusive look inside these new TGV M trains and find out what to expect (comfort, accessibility for passengers with reduced mobility, dining car...), Check out this article !
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TGV M: a look inside future inOui trains
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Issue du monde de la communication et des médias, Sophie est Responsable éditoriale chez HOURRAIL ! depuis août 2024. Elle est notamment derrière le contenu éditorial du site ainsi que La Locomissive (de l'inspiration voyage bas carbone et des bons plans, un jeudi sur deux, gratuitement dans ta boîte mail !).
Convaincue que les changements d’habitude passent par la transformation de nos imaginaires, elle s’attache à montrer qu’il est possible de voyager autrement, de manière plus consciente, plus lente et plus joyeuse. Son objectif : rendre le slow travel accessible à toutes et tous, à travers des astuces, des décryptages et surtout, de nouveaux récits.
