(From Renault Press Release)
 “The breath-taking proportions and innovative
elegance of Nepta are a clear expression of
Renault's great tradition in body style design.
With its unique opening panels and a style
that combines volume and vitality, Nepta
is a resolutely modern vehicle.”
Renault is unveiling its new Nepta concept car, a four-seater cabriolet
with fluid lines and a thoroughbred profile. The low-slung body shape is an
expression of elegance and movement, while the spacious and comfortable
interior has all the hallmarks of a top-end model.
Nepta is a dynamic four-seater GT cabriolet, offering performance at the wheel
that is worthy of a prestige sedan.
An attractive and dynamic cabriolet
This flowing, elegant four-seater cabriolet is an
expression of Renault’s vision of driving pleasure.
The wave-shaped side panels give an impression of
fluidity and highlight Nepta’s long body shape; an
effect that is further enhanced by the special anodic
aluminium colour treatment on the lower part of the
body shell, the mud flaps and the front and rear
spoilers.
The front end is simple yet expressive. The LED
headlights are made up of three assemblies: the
daytime running lights, the dipped and main beam
headlights and the steering lights. The headlights
use a technology based on the reflection and propagation
of light. The light beam from the main headlights
is reflected by crystal-shaped transparent
blocks that are electronically controlled for more
precise lighting. The quantity and distribution of the
light automatically adapts to the driving conditions.
The rounded forms of the front wings are enhanced
by the innovative boomerang-shaped indicator
lights, positioned at the top of the lighting units.
The long and tapered rear end, which is punctuated
by the crystals of the rear lights, adds a further
sense of movement to Nepta. The overhang is longer
at the rear than at the front, highlighting the vehicle’s
attractive proportions and flowing line. Nepta is an
echo of the golden age of automotive styling, while
remaining resolutely modern and innovative.
Nepta is a combination of the dream car and the
love of fine mechanical engineering. The motor-driven
gull wing doors open to reveal the interior and the
engine, which is elegantly housed in its compartment.
The centrally positioned door hinges are covered by
polished aluminium panels representing a shooting
star that runs the full length of the front bonnet,
contributing to the impression of movement that the
body shell creates.
A luxuriously welcoming
and roomy interior
Nepta boasts all the features found in prestige models
with discreet technology for greater on-board comfort.
The dashboard appears to be suspended,
while the extensions of the
windscreen illuminate the pedal
unit and make for a bright and clear
driving station.
The rev counter and cone-shaped
instruments are surrounded by
leather trim. The design of the
instruments pays tribute to vehicles
of the past, while the aluminium
treatment adds a modern touch.
The combination of analogue and
digital displays is a further expression
of classic cars and the modern era.
The air conditioning controls located
at each end of the dashboard can
be independently adjusted by each
occupant and combine advanced
technology and ease of use.
The intuitive controls are inspired by the Touch
Design approach. The centrally-mounted, rotary gear
shift is easy and comfortable to use. The conveniently
positioned multimedia information controls can be
easily reached, while the stalk switches and control
paddles mounted on the steering wheel are designed
to match the shape of the driver’s hands.
The seats are fixed, but the steering wheel and the
pedals can be adjusted by a motor-driven mechanism
to match the driver’s dimensions.
The dashboard features special storage
compartments for glasses and
other personal objects, while the
central console also has a sliding
cubby located between the rear seats.
The red leather upholstery creates
an impression of continuity between
the vehicle interior and the engine
compartment. Both bench seats are
coated with leather decorated with
printed patterns. The four comfortable
seats are secured to the floor by
aluminium struts reminiscent of
sailing boats.
DVD screens with folding protective covers are installed
in the upper sections of the backs of the front seats.
The lower sections are decorated with elegant leather
netting that is ideal for storing magazines.
The rear passengers are protected against turbulence
by the transparent air deflectors positioned between
the front and rear seats.
A powerplant
designed for pleasure
Nepta’s longitudinally mounted 3.5-liter V6 petrol
engine is the embodiment of pleasure at the wheel.
This 420hp powerplant takes just 4.9 seconds to
reach 100kph from a standing start. Coupled to the
seven-speed automatic gearbox with flick-shift
controls mounted on the steering wheel, this direct
injection petrol engine combines an outstanding
drive with a significant reduction in fuel consumption
and CO2 emissions.
| Renault Nepta Concept | Images copyright of Renault |
| CarDesignResources&News |
 Michelin
This tyre was designed specifically to take
account of the aerodynamic constraints related to
the effects of speed and the loads generated by
the tyre as it moves through the air.
The effect is created by a tread with a large
pattern that is shallow and gradually deepens
from the inner to the outer shoulder. The shape
of the tread is reminiscent of the air flows and the
vortex effect.
The inside, which is smoother and more solid,
provides the stiffness required to transmit the
engine torque and provide traction, very much
like a slick tyre. The tread on the outer shoulder
is deeper for better grip and improved control of
vehicle direction.
The outer wall of this tyre was designed for a
more sporty drive and increased comfort, while
retaining the road-holding and the grip offered by
the PAX tyre.
Valeo
Nepta’s lighting systems use high-performance
LEDs (light-emitting diodes). The colour of the
LEDs improves visibility and is more gentle on
the eyes. The LEDs are more durable than current
light sources and consume less energy, making
them the ideal choice for future vehicles.
At the front, the dipped and main beam functions
are housed in a single unit. They use Valeo’s
T.I.R. (Total Internal Reflection) technology,
which is based on the faculty of light to be
propagated and reflected through matter without
loss. This technology, which is also used in optical
fibres, is applied in this case to the three dimensions
of a block of crystal, offering improved
performance, more compact parts and a unique
appearance.
The main beam lamps feature a steering function
that switches on a line of LEDs as the steering
wheel is turned.
Nepta is the first vehicle in the world fitted with
rear lights that use Valeo’s 2.5D technology,
which allows for a whole new approach to the
design of signalling functions.
Based on the combination of LEDs and light
guides, this technology brings together more
compact dimensions and greater freedom in
shape design.
TECHNICAL DATA SHEET
| Overall length | 4,995mm |
| Door length | 3,760mm |
| Width (excluding rear view mirrors) | 1,956mm |
| Height | 1,332mm |
| Height with doors open
(excluding rear view mirrors) |
1,864mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,845mm |
| Front and rear track | 1,674mm |
| Front overhang | 890mm |
| Rear overhang | 1,260mm |
| Ground clearance | 175mm |
| Unladen weight | 1,490kg |
| Powertrain |
| Engine | V6 3.5-liter 24 V IDE twin-turbo petrol engine |
| Power | 309 kW / 420hp and max. torque of 560Nm at 3,000rpm |
| Acceleration 0 to 100kph | in 4.9s |
| Consumption | Max. CO2 emission of 222g/km, i.e. fuel consumption of 9.4l/100km in standard cycle |
| Gearbox | 7-speed automatic with steering wheel-mounted flick-shift |
| Transmission | Rear wheel drive with front, longitudinally-mounted engine
23’’ wheels |
| Tyres | PAX 275-710 R 750 EOLUS |
| Partners |
| Valeo | Total Internal Reflection technology for the front lighting functions
Exclusive 2.5D technology using LEDs / light guides for the rear lights
Steering function that switches on a line of LEDs as the steering wheel is turned |
| Michelin | EOLUS tyres |
| Montupet | Special 23’’ lightweight alloy wheels, six brushed and polished aluminium struts |
| Interior equipment |
• Four independent seats made of leather with printed decorations
• Anti-turbulence air deflectors between the front and rear seats
• Motor-driven adjustment of the steering wheel and pedal positions
• Analogue and digital instruments
• DVD screens in the backrests of the front seats with folding protective covers
| | Exterior equipment |
• Motor-driven gull wing doors for access to the front and rear seats and the engine compartment
• Electronic obstacle detection and anti-pinch devices
• Carbon bodywork
• High-performance LED lighting and signalling functions
• Canvas hood with rigid cover
• Anti-roll bars that can be mounted at the rear |
|
