autoevolution
 

Renault EOLAB Concept Heading to Paris Motor Show

It may look like a French take on the Toyota FCV, but this is not a car to be taken lightly. Renault is adamant the EOLAB concept boasts with roughly 100 production-destined innovative bits and bobs that'll be adopted by production Renaults before 2020.
Renault EOLAB Concept 21 photos
Photo: Renault
Renault EOLAB ConceptRenault EOLAB ConceptRenault EOLAB ConceptRenault EOLAB ConceptRenault EOLAB ConceptRenault EOLAB ConceptRenault EOLAB ConceptRenault EOLAB ConceptRenault EOLAB ConceptRenault EOLAB ConceptRenault EOLAB ConceptRenault EOLAB ConceptRenault EOLAB ConceptRenault EOLAB ConceptRenault EOLAB ConceptRenault EOLAB ConceptRenault EOLAB ConceptRenault EOLAB ConceptRenault EOLAB ConceptRenault EOLAB Concept
First thing you need to know about this futuristic Renault concept is that it drinks only 1 liter of gasoline per 100 kilometers (235.2 U.S. mpg / 282 U.K. mpg) thanks to a Z.E. hybrid powertrain that employs a 1-liter three-cylinder SCe petrol engine with 75 hp and 95 Nm of torque, an electric motor churning 67 horsepower and 200 Nm, as well as a three-speed transmission with the first two ratios linked to the permanent magnet electric motor.

A 6.7 kWh Li-ion battery pack is offering 60 km (37 miles) of all-electric range at up to 120 km/h (75 mph). That range can be furthered by the internal combustion engine which plays the role of range extender, providing electric juice to the lithium-ion battery. This B-segment supermini also uses ultra skinny 145 mm wide tires and active aero to cut through the air as smooth as possible. Its drag coefficient is 30 percent better than that of a Clio thanks to a 0.235 Cd. Speaking of which, it tips the scale at just 955 kilos, which is almost 400 kilograms less than the outgoing Renault Clio.

Compared to the Volkswagen XL1, the Renault EOLAB can seat four and boasts with a boot that can swallow sufficient baggage for a weekend at the seaside. And those 19-inch carbon-aluminum wheels shod in Michelin low rolling resistance tires are way better looking than those of the VW XL1 in our opinion. But Renault didn't develop this car just to boast about in front of its main rivals, but as an answer to the French government's challenge of producing a 141 mpg road-going vehicle by 2020.

Yes, all that magnesium alloy, TWIP steel and 2000HPF steel that make its construction aren't cheap, but this is what the future looks like. But the most staggering weight-saving aspect of the EOLAB is represented by the FNL48 Compact brake calipers. Developed by Continental, these babies are made from nodular iron and feature a one-piston design. Compared to a conventional brake caliper, the innovative FNL48 brake calipers shave off approximately 400 grams per unit, which is downright wow. As for the interior, the floating console doesn't float our boat, but the 11-inch tablet-like touchscreen infotainment system does.

“Beyond the prototype, we need to make advances across the entire range,” said Renault EOLAB project leader Laurent Taupin. “However efficient and economical it is, the vehicle must also remain competitive in every area if it is to attract buyers. This includes comfort, road holding, cabin space, perceived quality and design.”

If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
press release
About the author: Mircea Panait
Mircea Panait profile photo

After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
Full profile

 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories