Avelia Horizon
| Industry | Rail transport equipment manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Founded | September 1, 1928 |
| Headquarters | Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine , France |
| Products | Avelia Horizon (TGV M) high-speed trains |
| Website | www |
The Avelia Horizon, referred to as TGV M ("M" signifying modular) by its main client SNCF, is a high-speed passenger train developed and produced by Alstom. Its design closely resembles the TGV Duplex, featuring double-deck carriages and a push–pull setup with power cars positioned at both ends. The TGV M is engineered to deliver enhanced energy efficiency alongside lower operating expenses.
The project commenced following SNCF’s 2015 initiative to acquire a new generation of high-speed trains. In May 2016, the Speedinnov consortium, led by Alstom, secured the contract; subsequently, SNCF and Alstom formalized a design and construction agreement in September 2016. By July 2018, SNCF had placed an initial order worth €2.7 billion for 100 Avelia Horizon trainsets. Production activities began in mid-2020, with dynamic testing underway by 2022. That same year, SNCF expanded its order by commissioning 15 additional quad-current trainsets for international services, valued at €590 million.
The TGV M is expected to commence operations with SNCF in early 2026, with deliveries continuing into the 2030s. In 2023, SNCF rebranded the train as TGV InOui 2025. A related variant, the Avelia Liberty, is being acquired by Amtrak for use on its Acela service along the Northeast Corridor.
SNCF
In 2015, SNCF launched a program aimed at selecting a supplier for a new generation of high-speed trainsets, to be co-developed with the manufacturer. The requirements stipulated that these trains must be at least 20% more cost-effective to purchase and operate compared to previous models, with the goal of lowering lifecycle expenses and enabling more affordable ticket prices.
Confronted by competition from low-cost airlines, car-sharing services, and long-distance coach travel, the French government backed initiatives to draw passengers back to rail transport, aligning with the European Commission’s Europe 2020 objectives. The government agency Ademe collaborated with Alstom to establish the SpeedInnov joint venture, which submitted a bid for SNCF’s procurement program. This proposal introduced a new train as part of an international high-speed family, marking a departure from earlier TGV contracts that were exclusively designed for France. The design combined cutting-edge technology with established elements from prior high-speed trains.
Winning the contract in May 2016, SpeedInnov began development work immediately. On 7 September 2016, SNCF and Alstom signed an agreement to design and manufacture the trains, aiming to complete design work by late 2017 and initiate service by 2022. An 18-month development period ensued during which various concepts and innovations were thoroughly assessed alongside SNCF.
By July 2018, the finalized design was unveiled under the name Avelia Horizon. At this point, SNCF placed an order valued at €2.7 billion for 100 trainsets, including options for quantity adjustments and maintenance services. The per-unit price was confirmed to be approximately 20% less than that of the older TGV Duplex models. This contract was anticipated to generate around 4,000 jobs throughout the French rail industry, primarily within manufacturing at ten of Alstom’s French facilities over a decade. Additionally, it was expected to boost SNCF’s operational efficiency, control expenses better, and expand its market presence.
Between 2018 and 2022, detailed design finalization, production preparations, and certification processes were completed. Alstom began producing bodyshells at its La Rochelle facility in July 2020; static testing started during summer 2021 followed by dynamic testing in summer 2022. The initial phase of testing took place in the Czech Republic starting December 2022 and is planned to continue through summer 2023.
Proxima
In October 2024, the French start-up Proxima placed an order for 12 Avelia Horizon high-speed trains along with a 15-year maintenance contract valued at nearly €850 million. These trains bear a strong resemblance to the SNCF TGV M, differing primarily in interior configuration. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2028, with operations planned on high-speed lines connecting Paris to the Atlantic coast. Proxima will market its services under the brand name Velvet.
ONCF
In March 2025, ONCF signed a contract with Alstom to acquire 18 Avelia Horizon trains as part of Morocco's high-speed rail network expansion for the Al-Boraq service extending to Marrakech. The €781 million agreement received funding from the French government.
Specifications
The Avelia Horizon, entirely designed in France, is a high-speed train that forms part of Alstom's international Avelia series. It employs a push–pull layout featuring power cars at both ends and consists of seven to nine double-deck articulated passenger coaches.
Relative to the earlier TGV Euroduplex, the power cars are shortened by 4 meters due to traction motors mounted on bogies and transformers located beneath the frame, which frees up space for auxiliary systems. Passenger coaches are each reduced by 1 meter, resulting in a nine-car train length of 202 meters, with shorter configurations also feasible.
Engineered for flexibility, the TGV M boasts a modular interior design that allows swift reconfiguration—first-class compartments can be transformed into second class in less than half a day. Features such as luggage racks, bicycle storage, and seating arrangements are adjustable. At full capacity, each trainset accommodates up to 740 passengers compared to 634 on previous models.
This model is SNCF’s first high-speed train equipped with comprehensive digital connectivity through an enhanced onboard internet system that supports WiFi and live passenger updates. Climate control is achieved via precise airflow management systems. Car number 4 houses a two-level bar car named Le Bistro, offering self-service facilities and seating for 28 passengers on the upper level (which remains inaccessible).
Accessibility enhancements include level boarding on car 3 aligned with platforms at 550 mm height and an internal rotating lift; active suspension allows raising the car for higher platforms found in countries like Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and the UK, facilitating boarding via ramps for passengers with reduced mobility.
The train’s interior and front-end design were developed by SNCF subsidiary Arep in collaboration with Japanese studio Nendo under the concept of "flow," incorporating colors of the French flag. Every seat is equipped with USB ports, electrical outlets, personal lighting, and upholstery made from "3D-woven" fabric complemented by yellow table lamps. Each set provides space for three bicycles plus eight additional bikes stored upright in adjustable racks.
Outfitted with ETCS, KVB, and TVM signalling systems, the TGV M delivers 7.8 MW of power and includes a lithium-ion battery pack to supply emergency power and traction during electrical outages. It achieves a maximum speed of .
Energy consumption is reduced by 20% thanks to regenerative braking technology; environmentally friendly materials contribute to a 37% lower carbon footprint compared to earlier models. Remote diagnostic capabilities facilitate predictive maintenance strategies, lowering maintenance expenses by 30%. Streamlined component designs simplify servicing and extend intervals between maintenance cycles.