Renault has revealed its latest concept, the Eolab, ahead of its official debut at the Paris motor show next month. The ultra-high efficiency hybrid vehicle has been designed to consume just two liters of fuel per 100km, returning a fuel economy figure of 118mpg and emitting just 22g/km of CO2.
Named after Aeolous, the Greek god of winds, the three-door show car is one of two vehicles developed by the automaker. While the prototype created by Renault engineers was developed to showcase the new technologies and materials used to create a ultra-low consumption vehicle, the concept car places particular emphasis on design, slotting into Renault’s design strategy with simple, sensual lines conveying a strong sense of emotion. It belongs on the sixth petal of the lifecycle daisy, representing Wisdom (understanding, an open mind, and serenity).
The prototype features a number of innovations — 100 to be specific. These range from its carbon-alloy louvered wheels — which open and close to reduce wind resistance when brake cooling isn’t required — to the weight saving magnesium roof. The are also a number of active aerodynamic elements, such as the front spoiler that lowers by 10cm at speeds above 70km/h (43.49mph), vertically-positioned flaps on the rear bumper that open out by 6cm to redirect air away from the car at speed, and a self-leveling suspension designed to further combat the negative effects of drag.
In total the car shaves 400kg off the weight of a comparable B-segment vehicle, such as Renault’s own Clio IV. It also achieves a 0.235Cd figure — 30 percent better than the production car.
All the fundamentals of the prototype are maintained in terms of aerodynamics, proportions and interior space, combined with the features expected of a B-segment car. Renault calls it a more “realistic” concept. In order to fully express its aerodynamic and lightweight attributes, designers took the car’s ideal lines and attention to detail a little further.
Whilst retaining the roofline, sharp rear edges, active aerodynamic elements and inward tapering of the rear end of the prototype, the concept includes thoughtful details such as the jewel-like LED lamps adorning the front end, the wing-like aerodynamic A-pillars lined in red and wheels that are two inches larger, at 19-inches.
