The revealing of a new concept car at the
Paris Motor Show by Renault is nothing new, but this year the company's star concept, called the Nepta, is an unusual departure for the company.
Patrick le Quément's design flair is in evidence, with body sculpting and a frontal aspect reminiscent of previous Renault concepts such as the Wind and Fluence, though the new three-part front lights are more aggressive than previous efforts. The side profile and elongated rear are quite unlike anything we have seen Renault do before though. Take a look at the larger photographs and you may notice what appears to be a lack of doors at the side, but the car's four-seat layout and general elegance suggest that its occupants wouldn't be the sort to jump in over the sides.
Instead, Renault has devised a sophisticated gull-wing door mechanism that reveals both the engine and the cockpit; it is opened electrically. The interior is trimmed in opulent leather and the futuristic instruments and controls are suitably concept-car like. Now why has Renault made a feature of the engine?
Well, it's a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 with direct injection technology and a quoted 420bhp. No doubt this unit is based on the charismatic engine found in the
Nissan 350Z, but it's significant that its next development should be shown on a Renault first. In the Nepta concept the V6 is mated to a seven-speed automatic and the rear wheels. Does Renault have ambitious new plans we should know about?
Shane O' Donoghue - 8 Sep 2006