Renault launches hot new concept
Fast cabriolet combines luxury with speed
  Renault Nepta |
Renault is launching a fast new concept, hot on the heels of arch-rival Peugeot, which released details yesterday of the C-Metisse, a low-slung concept it'll reveal at the Paris motor show at later this month.
The Nepta, a four-seater luxury cabriolet featuring sleek looks will also make its public debut in Paris. Its comfortable interior are redolent of a top-end model with performance delivered by a longitudinally mounted 3.5-litre 420hp V6 twin-turbo petrol engine.
This powerplant takes the car from standstill to 62mph in an impressive 4.9 seconds. Coupled to a seven-speed automatic transmission complete with steering wheel-mounted flick-shift controls, this direct injection petrol engine combines an outstanding drive with a significant reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
Design
According to Renault: "this flowing, elegant four-seater cabriolet is an expression of Renault's vision of driving pleasure. The wave-shaped side panels breathe fluidity and highlight the car's elongated lines, an effect which is further enhanced by the use of a specific anodised aluminium finish for the lower part of the body (sills and front and rear spoilers)."
The front end sports LED headlamps are made up of three assemblies: daytime running lights, dipped and main beam headlamps and cornering lights. The headlamps employ a technology based on the reflection and propagation of light. The light beam from the main headlights is reflected by crystal-shaped transparent blocks that are electronically controlled for more precision. The quantity and distribution of the light is automatically adapted to the driving conditions. The rounded forms of the front wings are enhanced by the boomerang-shaped indicator lights located at the top of the wings themselves.
The long, tapered rear end, which is punctuated by the crystals of the rear lights, is intended to reinforce the impression of movement. The overhang is longer at the rear than at the front.
Nepta is a combination of the dream car and the passion for mechanical engineering excellence -- reckons Renault. The motor-driven gull wing doors open to reveal both the interior and the engine. Centrally positioned door hinges are covered by a polished aluminium panel representing a shooting star that runs the full length of the bonnet. The doors are fitted with electronic obstacle detectors and an anti-pinch device for greater safety.
Interior
The dashboard appears to be suspended, while the transparent alveolate honeycomb-like extensions of the windscreen illuminate the pedal unit. The rev counter and cone-shaped instruments are surrounded by leather trim. The design of the instruments pays tribute to vehicles of the past, while the aluminium finish adds a modern touch. The air conditioning controls located at either end of the dashboard can be independently adjusted.
The controls are inspired by a so-called "touch design" approach. The centrally-mounted, rotary gear shift is easy and comfortable to use. The conveniently positioned multimedia information control is situated within easy reach, while the stalk switches and steering wheel-mounted control paddles are designed to match the form of the driver's hands. The seats are fixed, but the position of the steering wheel and pedals can be adjusted by a motor-driven mechanism to adapt it to the driver.
The dashboard features stowage compartments for glasses and other items, while the centre console incorporates a sliding cubby located between the rear seats.
The red leather upholstery is said "to create an impression of continuity between the interior and the engine compartment". The two bench seats, which provide comfortable seating for four and which feature leather upholstery decorated with printed patterns, are secured to the floor by aluminium struts reminiscent of the world of sailing. DVD screens with folding protective covers are installed at the top of the front seat backs, the bottom sections of which are decorated with haute couture-inspired leather netting -- ideal for storing magazines.
Rear passengers are protected from turbulence by transparent air deflectors positioned between the front and rear seats.
"Nepta's breathtaking proportions and carefully tailored, innovative elegance are in perfect keeping with Renault's long tradition in body design. Its unique opening panels and styling which combines volume and vitality makes Nepta a truly modern vehicle," said Renault's design chief Patrick le Quément.
Sounds good to us -- now if only they'll build the thing...
Still, looks nice though. Naturally we'll never see it on the roads.
Nope you can pretty much calculate most of it out to give you a rough idea. Final product wouldn't be a million miles away (until the bean counters and feasibility crew get hold of it that is).
a giant spider
...er, so it's a gullwing door jobby then? - the full length of the cabin then?...with the panel joints running in the wrong direction then?....
Hmmm... I'd like to see just how that would work in everyday practice. 
Would that be outwards and up then?? Just the job in tight UK carparks, with limited headroom and invisible projecting concrete columns 
Otherwise, a pretty design, excepting the excess middle-age sticky-out bum at the rear.
Or,
Laguna cabriolet?? - with depreciation to match the sticky-out rear! Nice!
Gassing Station | French Bred | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff