Paris Preview: Renault DeZir concept signals new styling direction

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Paris Motor Show, Renault, Electric

Renault DeZir Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

Renault’s home auto show in Paris this Fall will mark the beginning of a new styling direction for the brand, and that means a new concept car. The DeZir is the first major project under new design vice president Laurens van den Acker and according to Renault, it represents the vision of ‘simple’, ‘sensuous’ and ‘warm.’ From where we sit, the shape certainly fulfills the first two elements and the bright red finish is downright hot.

The DeZir wouldn’t be a modern Renault concept if it wasn’t powered by electrons, and such is the case for this coupe. Energy storage comes by way of the same size 24 kilowatt-hour lithium ion battery pack that sits under the Nissan Leaf, and the driving range remains the same 100 miles. Unlike the Leaf, the pack in the concept is configured for Quick Drop exchanges.

Propulsion is provided by a 110 kilowatt electric motor spinning the rear wheels and pushing the 1,830 pound concept to 60 mph in 5 seconds (at least according to the spec sheet). Kevlar body panels (including a pair of trick reverse-hinged butterfly doors) are wrapped around a steel tube frame chassis with double wishbones at all four corners. Renault hasn’t given any indication yet if the DeZir will be produced. High-res gallery below, full details in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Renault DeZir concept