Usually, concepts hint at new models scheduled to enter the market within a couple of years, but Renault says its new EOLAB study “previews a feasible B-segment car for within the next decade”.
In addition, Renault states that the sub-compact model with the Hyundai Veloster-like asymmetric door setup (2+1) incorporates around 100 innovations that will gradually find their way on their production cars before 2020.
The EOLAB, which gets its name from a combination of the words ‘Aeolous’ God and Ruler of the Winds in Greek mythology, and ‘Laboratory’, is purportedly able to average 1l/100km (282mpg UK or 235mpg US) and 22g/km CO2 emissions.
VW has managed to surpass those figures with a production car, the 0.9l/100 km (313.9 mpg UK or 261.3 mpg US) and 21g/km of CO2 Volkswagen XL1. However, it did so with a two-seater model using a diesel engine at a forbidden cost for most of £98,515 ($159,800 or €123,500) in the UK.
Renault says it achieved these numbers in a car the size of a Clio by focusing on three main areas, including weight, aerodynamics and the use of its “Z.E. Hybrid” powertrain.
The EOLAB is powered by a 1.0-liter 3-cylinder SCe petrol engine delivering 74hp (75PS) and 95Nm and an electric motor producing 67hp (50kW) and 200Nm of peak torque, which is integrated into the housing of the concept’s clutch-less three-speed transmission that drives the front wheels.
Through the use of special materials and solutions such as an ultra-thin windscreen glass, a magnesium roof and a fixed bonnet, the concept weighs in at 955kg (2,105 lbs) or about 400kg (882 lbs) less than an equivalent Clio.
A lot of time was spent on the car’s aerodynamics with the EOLAB employing a suit of active systems for even greater aerodynamic efficiency that include an air suspension, spoiler, flaps and special wheels. The result of all this a Cd of 0.235, which represents an improvement of 30 percent over the Clio.
“This lower drag coefficient results in a significant fuel consumption reduction at higher speeds. At a stable speed of 130kph, for example, it accounts for a fuel consumption saving of 1.2 liters/100km in comparison with the benchmark vehicle,” says Renault.
The EOLAB will have its world premiere at the Paris Auto Show in October.
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