Renault indicates that an SUV is in its future plans
Renault has never been shy to try out new concepts, and indeed push them through to production. Witness the bizarre Avantime, a kind of sporty, two-door mix between coupe and MPV with odd looks to match the unusual brief. In Frankfurt this year Renault revealed its latest concept car, the Egeus, this time a crossover between coupe and SUV, though we are getting used to that idea already, and Vauxhall displayed a similar idea on its Frankfurt Show stand.
Unlike the Vauxhall Antara concept car, the Renault Egeus is a more practical four-door car, employing rear-opening back doors to first and foremost add drama to the show car's appearance. A side benefit of these doors, and the lack of a B-pillar, is unimpeded access to the spacious four-seat interior. The seats themselves swivel and lower to ease entry to the cabin. Considering the concept car mantle, the interior of the Egeus is remarkably restrained, with subtle blue tones to the leather and curves and shapes inspired amongst other things by the Manta Ray.
Curvaceous is certainly the word you'd use to describe the exterior of the concept; further developing the look pioneered on other recent Renault concept cars. You'll notice the obligatory exaggerated front wheel arches and high-tech LED lights developed by Valeo, alongside gargantuan 22-inch alloy wheels. It is not certain whether Renault are even considering building an SUV, never mind an upmarket luxury item as portrayed by the Egeus, but knowing the French company's mindset, we are likely to see elements of the concept's design in future Renaults. It's worth mentioning the powerplant too, a 3-litre twin-turbo V6 diesel with 250bhp allied to a seven-speed automatic gearbox. I wonder where that's going to be used in the future?
Renault indicates that an SUV is in its future plans pictures
