Stunning DeZir is out in the open

By Sam Hardy

16th August 2010

HERE’S how you stop traffic in the French capital! Renault’s amazing DeZir concept certainly caused quite a stir when it was caught making an impromptu public debut while filming for a promotional video in Paris.

The striking electric car wowed passers by with its Audi R8-style looks and silent electric powerplant. The first model produced under new design chief Laurens van den Acker, its beautifully sculpted body and distinctive face point to how future Renault models – like the Mégane - will look

However, the concept goes several steps further, with details that are unlikely to make it to the showroom. Highlights include dramatic scissor doors and a pair of cameras that produce a panoramic rearward view for the driver, in place of a conventional rear window.

Under the skin lies a 24kWh rechargeable lithium-ion battery, fed to a 148bhp mid-mounted electric motor. This gives performance to rival Audi’s e-tron, with 0-60mph in only five seconds and a top speed of 112mph.

It’s light, too – the DeZir sits on atubular steel chassis which means it tips the scales at only 830kg, while that slippery shape gives it a drag coefficient of only 0.25Cd. Further eco steps include lightweight Kevlar for the body panels.

The DeZir will be on display at the Paris Motor Show in October, where it will star alongside Renault’s all-new range of production-ready battery-powered models, including the Fluence saloon, Twizy city car and Kangoo van.

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