Renault Ondelios crossover concept
September 11, 2008 by Alborz Fallah
We don’t mind when car company’s make concept cars that have no intention of going into production, after all, innovations only happen when the bean counters have gone home and the engineers and designers get to unwind.
And Unwind they have, with this Renault Ondelios crossover concept. A somewhat peculiar but yet gorgeous blend of modern car design and desire. While the doors are hinged at the roof and swing upwards, the taillights are boomerang-shaped, and the vehicle is fronted by a bold aluminium grille.
Of course, that’s not all, it wouldn’t be a concept if it didn’t utilise some new engine with extreme green credentials. So, of course, its a hybrid. The Ondelios is powered by 150kW version of the 2.0 dCi engine, with two 20kW electric motors at the front and rear.
The two electric engines operate in mild hybrid mode, only kicking in with extra power is required. Much like traditional hybrids the concept uses a brake and boost system, recovering energy during braking then delivering it to the engine to boost acceleration.
The Ondelios has a respectable 0-100km/h figure of 7.8 seconds and uses only 4.5 litres of diesel per 100kms.
Measuring 4.8-metre-long, 1.6-metre high, Renault says the Ondelios was designed with great inspiration from the world of aviation in order to deliver high drag efficiency and a Cd of just 0.29.
“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,” says Patrick Le Quément, Renault’s Design Director
The Ondelios rides on seven-spoke, 23-inch aluminium alloy wheels wrapped in 255/40 Michelin Pilot Sport tyres. Even the wheels are designed specifically to reduce turbulence. The Ondelios seats six people, in three rows of two.
You can find a quick video showcasing the car here.
Tags: Renault Ondelios
I drew a car like this once. It was in crayon and I was five, very similar design. From memory my picture had flames coming out the exhaust..
I love it! I wish Renault would make a high-end luxury SUV, and maybe another luxury flagship sedan as the Vel Satis isn’t coming to Australia! It’s either about time they make the Vel Satis II or make a successor to the Vel Satis. Renault are making very good cars at the moment (not saying the Vel Satis isn’t a good car, its just that many didn’t appreciate it’s design language. I loved it though), hopefully here in Australia we’ll actually gte a handful more of them! And hopefully they don’t delay the launh of the Mégane III like they did with the Laguna (or worse, the Clio!) because it is obviously Renault’s best seller and if they leave it too long it’ll lose too many sales to make up for. Try hurry it up Renault.
If this car was so futuristic, it wouldn’t have a early 21st century bonnet with enough space for an combustion engine.
The rims started out good then as you get towards the middile it looks like it was made as part of the final assignment at a tech college.
Looks great. But I must be getting old.
Because all I can think of is how much that badge is going to cost to replace when you hit something.