Amongst the interesting electric car reveals accompanying the Paris Motor Show is the Renault TREZOR, a 2-seat electric coupe with maximum power of 350 horsepower (260 kW), maximum torque of 380Nm, and a 0–100 kilometers/hour acceleration time under 4 seconds.
Interestingly, the TREZOR motor is based on the Renault e.dams, “two-time winner of the Formula E Teams’ world title.” In addition, the electric concept vehicle’s brake-operated energy recovery system comes from the Rechargeable Energy Storage System (RESS) technology developed for Formula E racing. Also, there are apparently two separate battery-packs, each with its own cooling system.
“The Renault range has now been completely renewed and upgraded with a spectrum of complementary models, each one of which has its own assertive identity. With the TREZOR, we have pursued this renewal by introducing a new lifecycle sequence. This concept car is the fruit of a freedom of expression and prepares the way for the trends we are likely to see in our upcoming vehicles. These trends fall into two categories: French Design and Easy Life,” stated Laurens van den Acker, SVP Corporate Design.
Interestingly, the concept model features a drag coefficient of just 0.22 and a low weight (1600 kilograms). There’s not mention of range, but considering it’s a long-off concept vehicle and batteries will change plenty by then, what’s the point of that?
The press release provides some more info: “The TREZOR makes use of the latest Ultra High Definition developments. A combination of OLED technology (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) and Corning Gorilla Glass has produced a thin, curved screen which, unlike LED displays, does not require backlighting. The result is superior contrast and colour reproduction, along with deeper shades of black with no halo effect.”
Continuing: “Thanks to Renault’s MULTI-SENSE system, the TREZOR offers a choice of three driving modes: neutral, sport and autonomous. The TREZOR embodies Renault’s vision of how autonomous cars can make travelling safer and more enjoyable, while allowing motorists to optimise how they use their time. When the car is in autonomous mode, the exterior lighting signature changes and extends to the lateral and rear logos, to indicate to other road users that driving has been delegated. Formed by two leather-sheathed aluminium shafts, the steering wheel extends in width in autonomous mode. In the manner of a cinema screen, this movement symbolises a step into a whole new world of travelling. With the wheel in this configuration, the driver also has a panoramic view of the dashboard.”
The press release notes that Renault claims to be aiming “beyond 2020” for safe “hands off, eyes off” autonomous driving technologies to make it to its mainstream offerings.
A couple of other things about the concept car that are interesting (but not important): there’s a luggage compartment in the front of the vehicle (a frunk); and the location on the left side of the car where the petrol/gas hatch would be has been replaced by “an analogue gauge that indicates the vehicle’s charge level.” A nice touch.
I don't like paywalls. You don't like paywalls. Who likes paywalls? Here at CleanTechnica, we implemented a limited paywall for a while, but it always felt wrong — and it was always tough to decide what we should put behind there. In theory, your most exclusive and best content goes behind a paywall. But then fewer people read it! We just don't like paywalls, and so we've decided to ditch ours. Unfortunately, the media business is still a tough, cut-throat business with tiny margins. It's a never-ending Olympic challenge to stay above water or even perhaps — gasp — grow. So ...
Sign up for daily news updates from CleanTechnica on email. Or follow us on Google News!
Have a tip for CleanTechnica, want to advertise, or want to suggest a guest for our CleanTech Talk podcast? Contact us here.
