Renault Ondelios

Renault Ondelios - Renault’s vision of the high-end crossover

The Paris Motor Show sees the wraps come off Renault’s top-of-the-range concept car, Ondelios

Embodying Renault’s vision of a top-of-the-range car, the 4.8-metre-long, 1.6-metre high Ondelios has drawn inspiration from the world of aviation design to deliver high aerodynamic efficiency and a Cd of just 0.29. This long-distance voyager boasts sleek, smooth, amazingly fluid lines that make it appear as though it glides over the ground.

The aluminium-finish grille is flanked by headlamp units that also suggest flowing motion, while its high-performance LED headlights are both longer lasting and more efficient. Another feature of Ondelios' aerodynamic styling is the boomerang-shaped tail light treatment, built into the bodywork and ringed with air extractors to control the flow of air from the wheel arches. The glazed roof further emphasises the vehicle’s airy look and feel, bathing the interior in natural light. The steeply-raked windscreen, extends well down the bonnet, further accentuating this ethereal ambiance.

The butterfly-style side doors, which feature an extensive glazed area, add a further touch of elegance to the car’s overall styling. They swing out and upwards as the sills slide down to facilitate easy entry.

Ondelios sits on seven-spoke, 23-inch aluminium alloy wheels which contribute to its profiled styling. The propeller-like hubs draw airflow from the sides of the car to prevent turbulence. They operate in conjunction with the brake discs to ensure they draw in air effectively.

The elegance of Ondelios’ interior is in harmony with the call of the open road suggested by its exterior. To begin with, its layout is designed to benefit from all available space. There are three rows of seats that offer individual seating for six. The electrically-adjustable backs fold into comfortable, business-class positions, while occupants can deploy and retract the footrests at will.

In addition to seating comfort, the cabin exudes a highly refined ambience. The materials used are drawn from contemporary interior design and give the impression of sitting in a lounge on wheels. They blend soft, supple textures like light grey leather and fabric, as seen on the dashboard, seats and door panels. The colour of the seatbacks blends gradually from ochre to purple, further enhancing the sense of security and comfort.

Ondelios is powered by a hybrid powerplant which combines a more powerful 205hp (150kW) version of the 2.0 dCi engine, with two 20kW electric motors at the front and rear. They operate in mild hybrid mode, giving the engine extra boost as required. They use a brake and boost system, recovering energy during braking then delivering it to the engine to boost acceleration. The front motor also uses fuel-saving stop-start technology. The electric motor mounted on the rear axle drives the rear wheels when the ESP sensors detect a loss of traction, thus giving Ondelios the capability of a 4WD vehicle. The car is equipped with a lithium-ion battery that can deliver power of up to 4kW/h. With torque of 450Nm between 1,700 and 3800rpm, the diesel engine provides comfort and flexibility at all engine speeds for long-distance driving pleasure. Driving through a seven-speed, double-clutch gearbox, it affords outstanding driving pleasure, while keeping fuel consumption at a frugal 4.5 litres/100km and CO2 emissions at a lowly 120g/km – very impressive for a top-of-the-range vehicle. Similarly, the body, chassis design and hybrid powertrain contribute decisively to protecting the environment.