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Interior Design

The interior design also suggests lightness. The forms are soft and light, and the predominant color is white, although there are also echoes of the same passion red used for the exterior. The materials employed for the interior, like the senses they awaken, are precious, with white leather upholstery and trimming for the seats, dashboard and floor, along with a red lacquered finish for the console and accessories.

The one-piece, two-seater front benchseat provides cocoon-like comfort and comprises a number of interlocking elements trimmed in white leather, with a quilted pattern on the passenger's side, and a contrasting uniform finish on the driver's side, as if to suggest an inexorable attraction between the two.

The interior styling takes its inspiration from the idea of an amorous encounter and is based on a coming together of opposites.

The cockpit-style driver's environment contrasts with the ethereal lightness of the dashboard and the sensuous feel of the white leather bench seat that seems to float on a red-hued bed of light which, once again, symbolizes passion. This lighting gently pulses to a rhythm suggestive of a beating heart.

The dashboard visually mirrors the sensations felt at the wheel by means of a graphic display of data received from the accelerometer and speed sensors. The central touch screen display incorporates a smart navigation system that synchronizes journey information with the driver's diary in order to optimize task management and itineraries.

Special software provides drivers with a real-time indication of their energy management ability via a fun interface incorporated in the dashboard that uses video-game style graphics.

Electric Motor

Renault DeZir is powered by an electric motor mounted in a mid-rear position to optimize weight distribution over the front and rear wheels. The vertically-mounted 24kWh lithium-ion battery is located behind the benchseat and provides the car with a range of 100 miles.

The basic motor is the same as the unit used for Renault's production electric cars, although an evolution has enabled its power and torque to be uprated to 150 hp and 167 lb-ft respectively.

Lightweight Materials

In order to optimize range and dynamic performance, Renault Design's technical teams have kept DeZir's weight to a minimum: its body is made from Kevlar, while its tubular steel frame is similar to that employed for the Megane Trophy race car.

DeZir's suspension also shares certain features with that of Megane Trophy - including a double wishbone arrangement - to deliver a particularly high standard of handling precision.

DeZir's aerodynamics have been carefully honed, too, thanks to full underbody fairing and a rear diffuser. The result of this work is a drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.25, plus outstanding acceleration.

Kinetic Energy Recovery System

DeZir's energy efficiency package also includes the recovery of braking energy. The technology it employs is based on the same principles as the KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) seen in Formula 1. When the car decelerates, kinetic energy is recovered and stored in the battery. As is the case in F1, this energy can then be employed by the driver to provide a temporary power boost thanks to a button located on the steering wheel.

Renault DeZir Concept: Photo Gallery, Review (1/2) and Specifications