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Renault EOLAB concept previews the future

Renault shows off 100 fuel-saving innovations in Paris-bound EOLAB concept car.


Renault has revealed what is surely its star of the Paris Motor Show, the curiously named EOLAB concept car, packed with fuel-saving innovations that we're assured are coming to a super-efficient supermini of the very near future. Renault says that the show car previews 'a feasible B-segment car for within the next decade', so are we looking at the Renault Clio of 2025?

Exterior
While we may be getting a hint of Renault's design language direction here, the most important (and interesting) part of the EOLAB's exterior is its suite of active aerodynamics. It contributes to a 30 per cent reduction in drag (taking the current Renault Clio as a starting point) with a coefficient of drag of 0.235. The measures include an active ride height, active wheels that alter shape according to brake cooling needs, an active front spoiler and active rear flaps.

Massive weight gains have been made too - a claimed 400kg in fact. The asymmetric three-door layout is said to contribute to that, as do ultra-thin glass and thinner interior trim panels using air bubbles. The list of components that have shed weight is very long, but noteworthy items include the magnesium roof, which is just 4.5kg, while a lightweight braking system reduces mass by 14.5kg. The total weight of the concept is 955kg.

Interior
The cabin is as wacky as you'd expect from a true Renault concept car, with seating for four in a highly sculpted environment. Weight reduction is at the heart of the design, but Renault has allowed itself plenty of technology too, including cameras and display screens instead of rear-view mirrors. A cool curved OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) screen displays the speedometer and other information, while a centrally-mounted interface operating on the open Android platform works like a tablet or smartphone.

Mechanicals
Powering the EOLAB is a new Z.E. Hybrid system, which is apparently the subject of 30 patents. It features a small petrol engine and electric motor. Primary drive is electric - for up to 60 kilometres apparently - and the engine acts as a range extender. Renault reckons it has brought the cost of this unit down sufficiently to make it a reality in smaller vehicles by 2020.

The petrol engine is a 1.0-litre three-cylinder unit producing up to 75hp and 95Nm or torque. It's connected to an unusual three-ratio gearbox, in conjunction with a permanent magnet electric motor, doing away completely with a clutch. The motor can deliver 50kW (68hp) and 200Nm of torque. It's fed by a 6.7kWh battery.

Renault proposes two disparate modes of operation - called weekday and weekend. The former favours electrical power and suits those that can commute within the car's electric-only range. First gear is for speeds of up to about 70km/h. Second gear enables the car to run on electricity alone to 120km/h, but if the driver goes faster then third gear is required, which calls on the petrol engine. In weekend mode the petrol engine is used more often to extend the overall range and performance of the car. Renault quotes achievable figures of 282mpg (1.0 litres/100km) and 22g/km CO2 for the EOLAB.

Anything else?
The French government's 'New Industrial Plan' for the country includes a 'Fuel consumption of less than 2.0 litres/100km for all' mantra, encouraging French companies - and the auto industry in particular - to innovate in a bid to bring the cost of efficient motoring down for everyone. A total R&D investment over the next five years of some €1 billion is mooted, with about €250 million of that coming from the French government.

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Published on September 16, 2014