Renault wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to show off an outrageously styled concept vehicle at their own home-turf motor show in Paris. The Trezor, as it’s called - which translate to ‘Treasure’ - is a stunning example of what how creative and daring the French marque’s design team can be.
While other European automakers such as Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen are content with showing off their electrified concepts in the form of an aerodynamic SUV and five-door hatch, respectively, Renault hasn’t eschewed the collective distance from fossil fuels. They just packaged it in a more interesting way.
One could argue that no matter how beautiful or bold the Trezor is, the more practical concept vehicles will win the day as those will go on to inspire real-world cars in the not-too-distant future; that’s what those manufacturers are saying anyway.
The Trezor is pretty much the pinnacle of Renault design boss Laurens van der Acker’s visual philosophy that began with the DeZir concept of 2010 and has now permeated through all major production models in their line-up, using the same of cues and lines that became a part of the Megane and Scenic and Clio and Captur.
The two seat coupe uses the same front sliver grille that is punctuated by a Renault diamond logo, flanked by two C-shaped elements that form the forward illumination cluster. In all, they hope it will symbolise the maturity of the new ‘Life Flower’ visual base that they believe have contributed significantly to customers choosing to purchase their cars.
The interior is accessed through a fold-out canopy much like a fighter jet (or the Saab Aero X Concept), which explains why the car needs to sit so low to the ground. Otherwise, climbing into the cabin would be far too tedious. That cabin, though, is quite the stunner with its Passion Red coachwork, enveloping seats and minimal switchgear. Likely a deliberate counterpoint to the futuristic but relatively clinical exterior.
Power comes from a 260kW electric motor, hewn from the crucible of the Formula E Championship (to which Renault has won the constructor’s title twice), is a able to deliver 380Nm instantaneously and thrust the Trezor to 100km/h in under 4 seconds.
Also taken from Formula E is the car’s Rechargeable Energy Storage System (RESS) to replenish its two large batteries - each with its own cooling system. No figures on the Trezor’s estimated range were provided by Renault, however.
Despite the clear GT design, the Trezor does feature an autonomous mode in addition to the other two of ‘neutral’ and ‘sport’. Renault plans to have developed a fully autonomous system by 2020, one that’s capable of completely “hands off, eyes off” driving for its mainstream vehicles.
For more on Renault vehicles, including pricing and specifications, check out our Showroom.
