Renault to Showcase New Electric Concept at Frankfurt

Renault is about to get more serious about its electrification plans as the French manufacturer is preparing to debut a new electric concept that will hit the market in production form in 2012. According to a report by autocar.co.uk, the future model will be a four-meter, five-door hatchback, with no other details available at this point. However, it seems like it will be based on the Renault-Nissan B platform, similar to the Clio, Modus and Cube so it will likely share some parts with these models.

Additionally, Nissan also intends to develop its very own electric car but based on the same platform, with the official unveiling time scheduled for this year's Tokyo Auto Show.

Talking about Renault's electric cars, Christian Steyer, Renault’s development chief for C-segment vehicles, told the aforementioned source that all vehicles will boast a "noticeable" appearance.

“We want a real signature for our electric range, so when people see one in the street they will know it is a Renault electric car,” he said. “The key is to do this without frightening customers away. Customers must be tempted, and not rushed too fast."

“Maybe there is room for something very radical to rewrite the design rules that can be found from electric. So far we don’t find it, though. But it is certainly possible in the future thanks to the changes and possibilities of battery technology.”

Renault is also working on electric versions of Megane sedan and Kangoo, with the production-ready concepts to be on display at the Frankfurt Auto Show. However, they won't go on sale sooner than 2011.