Renault's new DeZir all-electric sports concept is a "passionate" signal of the French automaker's new design direction, thanks in large part to the efforts of Laurens van den Acker. The Dutch designer recently left the top design post at Mazda to take a similar position at Renault, and the DeZir is his team's first showcase effort.
DeZir, which will make its world debut at the upcoming 2010 Paris motor show, is a two-door, all-electric-powered sports coupe with a unique gullwing door setup. Several automakers have trotted out sexy-looking EVs lately, and not surprisingly, Renault says the DeZir "is proof that electric vehicles and a love of cars are by no means incompatible."
Renault says the DeZir, which drew inspiration from Renault's past, is also the first of several concepts to production vehicles that will further explore the brand's new, more expressive design direction. DeZir reportedly features front end design cues that will find their way to future production Renaults.
The DeZir's electric motor is rated at 110 kilowatts (150 horsepower) and 166 pound feet of instantly available torque. It's a minor evolution of the setup found in Renault's zero-emission Z.E. series of cars, which employ roughly the same powertrain as the Nissan Leaf thanks to the Nissan/Renault alliance.
The motor of the rear drive DeZir is mounted in a mid-rear position to optimize weight distribution. The DeZir's vertically mounted 24kWh lithium-ion battery pack is located behind the seat. Renault says the DeZir can shoot from 0 to 62 mph in 5 seconds flat onto a top speed of 112 mph. The 1830-pound car's range is pegged at 100 miles and charge times vary depending on connection
In order to keep weight down, the DeZir's body is made from Kevlar and its sleek shape scores it a drag coefficient (Cd) of just 0.25. Its tubular steel frame is similar to the setup of its Megane Trophy race car, as are elements of its double wishbone suspension. DeZir also employs a kinetic energy recovery system along the lines of the KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) from Formula 1. When the car decelerates, kinetic energy is recovered and stored. When enough energy is available, the driver can get a temporary power boost by pushing a button on the steering wheel.
Van den Acker was one of the chief architects of Mazda's Nagare design language (which the Japanese automaker is reportedly abandoning), and there are some similarities to recent Mazda concepts, such as lots of flowing lines all over the car from front to back. And then there are the cross-drilled aluminium side panels that evoke the Audi R8.
But the DeZir has plenty of its own character, including the left- and right-hand opening gullwing doors that Renault says symbolize a "ying and yang-style amorous harmony." There are the requisite 21-inch concept wheels, roof and headlight "eyelids," and a Renault logo designed to float in the middle of the grille. The front and back lines are supposed to be reminiscent of ripples on water. Its bright red color is contrasted by a white and red interior that Renault says evokes "the idea of an amorous encounter" (no, we're not making this up, read the press release below) and features a unique white bench seat with red ripples.
Thanks to: Motor Trend
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