Renault will unveil its new concept car, the streamlined Wind, at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
Renault will unveil its new concept car, the streamlined Wind, at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
This sleek 2+1 roadster combines lively performance with flowing, structured lines. The contyrols feature ‘Touch Design’ , with the emphasis on simplicity.
Wind’s sweeping lines and powerful headlamps add to the car’s appeal. The lights extend vertically along the bonnet, adding to the smooth profile.
Yet despite their simple looks, the lights conceal complex technology. A jet of blue-tinted light flows through a long transparent tube that stretches across the glass covers. At the rear, the almond-shaped rear lamps complement the streamlined profile and two LEDs light up glass covers, creating beams of light to the sides and rear.
The panoramic windscreen extends around the sides of the car and incorporates the side windows. The cabin can be covered with a triple-thick fabric roof that includes a rounded rear glass window.
The cocoon-like cabin is finished in Sienna-coloured leather, the seats in Tobacco-coloured leather. As befits ‘true’ roadsters, the seats are fixed, whereas the steering column and pedal assembly are adjustable. These automatically fold away when the door is opened, allowing easier access . Two folding leather-covered roll hoops are fitted.
As a 2+1 roadster, the central section linking the two front seats can be unhooked and turned inside-out to form a third seat in the rear of the car. Despite its compact size, the leather-lined boot offers considerable luggage space.
All the vehicle’s controls feature an aluminium finish with the emphasis on ergonomics and simplicity in line with ‘Touch Design’. A circular, centrally mounted control panel provides access to each set of functions for communications, music, navigation and services by means of a button in the middle of the circle. Data is displayed on a screen at the top of the facia.
The design of the speedometer-cum-rev counter dial is simple and sophisticated. Data is displayed in both analogue and digital form. Patches of blue followed by red move around the graphic as the engine speed increases.
In the door on the driver’s side of the vehicle, a push-button cylinder incorporating the air conditioning controls swings out to display the temperature in the cabin.
The gearbox mode selector for the six-speed ‘robotised’ transmission is placed in the centre of the facia and gear shifting is accomplished by using a paddle on the steering wheel.
The Wind roadster is fitted with a four-cylinder, normally aspirated 2,0-litre 16V engine. Power produced is 101kW with a maximum torque of 191N.m.
Speaking about Renault’s new offering, the senior vice president of corporate design, Patrick le Quément, said: “The exterior combines the sensuality of flowing lines with the dynamism of grooved contours. The interior is reminiscent of a well-fitting glove. The result is a breath of fresh air in the world of roadsters.”
