|
Price |
|
-- |
Production |
|
-- |
|
Engine |
2
liter diesel dci inline-4 |
Weight |
-- |
|
Aspiration |
turbocharger |
Torque |
332
lb-ft @ 1700 - 3800 rpm |
|
HP |
205
hp |
HP/Weight |
-- |
|
HP/Liter |
102.5 hp per liter |
1/4 mile |
-- |
|
0-62 mph |
7.8
seconds |
Top Speed |
-- |
(from Renault Press
Release) ONDELIOS: AN ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY LONG-HAUL
JOURNEY
The Paris Motor Show
sees the wraps come off Renault’s top-of-the-range concept car
Ondelios designed for lovers of long-haul travel who set store by
comfort and refinement. Ondelios epitomizes Renault’s vision of the
high-end crossover, combining a comfortable ride with respect for
the environment. Clear illustrations of that vision are the
vehicle’s ethereal design, its interior layout, and an original
hybrid powertrain.
A sleek design that answers the
call of the open road
The 4.8-metre-long,
1.6-metre high Ondelios has drawn inspiration from the world of
aviation design to deliver high drag efficiency and a Cd of just
0.29. This long-distance voyager boasts sleek, smooth, amazingly
fluid lines that make it appear as though it glides over the ground.
It embodies Renault’s vision of high-end car.
"Ondelios is inspired by
motion rather than speed and is a whole new response to the call of
the open road," enthuses Patrick Le Quément, Renault’s Design
Director.
The aluminium-finish
grille is flanked by headlamp units that also suggest flowing
motion, while its high-performance LED headlights are both longer
lasting and more efficient. Another feature of Ondelios'
aerodynamic styling is the boomerang-shaped tail lights. They are
built into the bodywork and ringed with air extractors to control
the flow of air from the wheel arches.
The glazed roof further
emphasises the vehicle’s airy look and feel, bathing the interior in
natural light. The steeply raked windscreen, which extends well down
the bonnet, further accentuates this ethereal feel.
"We think of it as made
from a single material, where the body and glazed areas merge into
one. Ondelios is a glimpse of what the automobile might be in the
medium term future," adds Patrick Le Quément.
The butterfly-type side
doors, which also feature an extensive glazed area, add a further
touch of elegance to the car’s overall styling. They swing out and
upwards as the sills slide down to facilitate ingress.
The dark blue anthracite
of the bodywork blends perfectly with the tinted glazed area, making
the car look as if it were all of a piece and a single colour.
The tailgate’s upper section rounds off the sleek, aerodynamic lines
with a profiled glareshield that slides inwards to air and cool the
cabin.
Ondelios sits on
seven-spoke, 23-inch aluminium alloy wheels which contribute to its
profiled styling. The propeller-like hubs draw airflow from the
sides of the car to prevent turbulence. They operate in conjunction
with the rim-side brake discs to ensure they suck in air
effectively. The sleek sidewalls of the large diameter 255/40
Michelin Pilot Sport tyres deliver outstanding drag performance.
Their tread pattern is designed to minimise deformation of the
contact patch while on the move to help curb rolling resistance.
The tread has efficient,
active flow channels which, together with the wide circumferential
groove that helps clear water, strengthen the image of a high-end,
high-tech tyre.
Business-class comfort for a
long-haul journey
The elegance of the
Ondelios interior is in harmony with the call of the open road
suggested by its exterior. To begin with, its layout is designed to
profit from all the available space. There are three rows of seats
that offer individual seating for six. With their cantilever mounts
they give the impression of floating, while their kinematics are
redolent of airplane seats. The electrically adjustable backs fold
into comfortable, business-class positions, while occupants can
deploy and retract their footrests at will. Although their slim
lines speak of lightness, they are designed, like giant leaves, to
hug their occupants who can curl up in them to enjoy the comfort and
support they afford. The height of the seats is carefully designed
to ensure occupants are perfectly at ease when they talk to each
other.
Unlike conventional door
opening systems, the doors are hinged to the roof, which makes
getting into the car extremely easy. The second row of seats slide
forward and folds down to facilitate access to the third row.
In addition to seating
comfort, the cabin exudes a highly refined ambience. The materials
used are drawn from contemporary interior design and give the
impression of sitting in a lounge on wheels. They blend soft, supple
textures like light grey leather and fabric, as seen on the
dashboard, seats and door panels. The colour of the seatbacks blends
gradually from ochre to purple, further enhancing the sense of
security and comfort.
Interior features and
fittings are both modern and intuitive. The ergonomically designed
controls, in keeping with Renault’s touch design approach, afford
users efficient, comfortable ease of use.
The ample, flowing yet
sober design of the broad dashboard echoes the car’s aerodynamic
exterior. It is further highlighted by a roomy, suspended stowage
compartment which is protected by a lit shell, while all the
dashboard’s functional components are particularly userfriendly:
- active display
skins show driver aid and ride information;
- a monitor at the base of the windscreen displays the different
menus and pictures from the door mirror cameras;
- three large strip displays provide driving-related
information, revs and how the hybridized drivetrain is
operating;
- a digital speedometer.
The technologies with
which Ondelios is equipped enhance the collective and individual
wellbeing of all occupants. All the passengers, including those in
the back row, have their own Samsung interactive portable multimedia
devices which they can use for sharing data or multiplayer gaming.
Speakers are also incorporated into the headrests and a multizone
HVAC system enables each passenger to set the temperature to his or
her own liking.
The smart technologies
that have gone into designing Ondelios help drivers to settle in at
the wheel, include a Samsung cell phone which also acts as a
hands-free door lock recognises the driver and loads all his or her
personal settings, e.g. seat-adjustment settings and favourite
music. The vehicle adds a final, friendly touch in the form of the
back-lit logo which lights up to show that it has recognised the
driver.
An environmentally friendly
voyager
To complement the
extensive work that has gone into Ondelios’s aerodynamics, some of
the car’s structural parts are made from natural flax fibre for
greater recyclability. In keeping with the commitment to make the
car as light as possible, its body is made from carbon and the
glazed areas from polycarbonate.
Ondelios is powered by a
hybrid powerplant which combines a more powerful 205hp (150kW)
version of the 2.0 dCi engine, with two 20kW electric motors at the
front and rear. They operate in mild hybrid mode, giving the engine
extra boost as required. They use a brake and boost system,
recovering energy during braking then delivering it to the engine to
boost acceleration. The front motor also uses fuel-saving stop-start
technology.
The electric motor
mounted on the rear axle drives the rear wheels when the ESP sensors
detect a loss of traction, thus giving Ondelios the capability of a
4WD vehicle. The car is equipped with a lithium-ion battery that can
deliver power of up to 4kW/h.
With torque of 450Nm
between 1,700 and 3800rpm, the diesel engine provides comfort and
flexibility at all engine speeds for long-distance driving pleasure.
The 2.0 dCi unit takes Ondelios from a standing start to 100kph in
just 7.8 seconds. Driving through a seven-speed, double-clutch
gearbox, it affords outstanding driving pleasure, while keeping fuel
consumption at a frugal 4.5 litres/100km and CO2 emissions at a
lowly 120g/km – very impressive for a top-of-the-range vehicle.
Similarly, the body,
chassis design and hybrid powertrain contribute decisively to
protecting the
environment. Ondelios is a long-distance travel-loving
aerodynamic crossover born for the open
road. It is proof that caring for occupants and the environment is
entirely compatible. Ondelios is a concept car that illustrates
Renault’s vision of the high-end car of the near future.
