Renault Emblem, Serious and Pretty at the Same Time

To attract the attention of the greatest number to a virtuous approach, Renault has chosen a very beautiful concept car that will be presented at the Paris Motor Show.

Renault’s approach is interesting for more than one reason since this family vehicle aims to emit 90% less CO2 than an equivalent model today. And this does not just limit itself to emissions during road use, but “from cradle to grave,” meaning from its conception to its end of life.

The exterior design is superb with a clever balance of sportiness and elegance. One can especially imagine this 4.80 m long and 1,750 kg car on the road starting tomorrow, which adds even more value to the approach of the French manufacturer. The curves are enticing, but they are mainly the result of meticulous optimization of aerodynamics, designed for efficiency. The Renault Emblème, for example, is devoid of mirrors, replaced by two cameras integrated into the wheel arches, the front wipers are hidden under the hood, and the door handles are flush. Two fins on the hood and two air ducts on the bumper channel the airflow, respectively towards the windshield and behind the wheels. The latter are equipped with solid wheels that direct the air along the vehicle. The flat underbody, inspired by F1, is enhanced by an active diffuser that tilts down and back to balance the airflow and thereby minimize aerodynamic drag with a Cx of 0.25.

The best of electric

Emblème features a bi-energy electric drivetrain, powered by a rechargeable battery and by a hydrogen fuel cell. The 160 kW motor is powered by a small 40 kWh battery, which is lighter, cheaper, less bulky, and more virtuous than that of a family electric vehicle with long range. The vehicle retains a range of several hundred kilometers, more than sufficient for daily trips. The PEMFC 30 kW fuel cell, supplied with low-carbon hydrogen via a 2.8-kilogram tank, provides the energy needed for long trips, with a maximum efficiency close to 60%. The vehicle can thus travel 1,000 km in a time equivalent to that of a combustion vehicle, without electric recharging, with just two hydrogen fills of less than five minutes each.

But the most important point to emphasize is the concern for reducing CO2 emissions from the start of the manufacturing phase to the final stage of recycling. Thanks to new working methods applied by Renault and 20 carefully selected exclusive partners, the ambition of the Emblème project is to achieve only 5 tons of CO2 from cradle to grave, while the lifecycle analysis of a Mégane E-Tech electric results in 24 tons. To measure the challenge, this last figure is already half of that of an equivalent model powered by fossil energy.

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