Skip advert
Advertisement

Renault EZ-Ultimo concept previews luxury car of the future

The Renault EZ-Ultimo concept has been revealed as part of the brand's 120th birthday celebrations at Paris

Renault is marking its 120th anniversary with the debut of the EZ-Ultimo concept, which has been officially revealed at this week’s Paris Motor Show

It’s Renault’s third concept car in a series of vehicles designed to preview the French firm’s vision of how autonomous vehicles will look and operate in the future.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Renault EZ-GO concept van previews the future delivery tech

The EZ-Ultimo is a showcase for how autonomous vehicles could operate in the luxury segment. Rather than being owned by a single user, the EZ-Ultimo would be owned by a business, such as a hotel or taxi firm, who would then sell on the use of the vehicle for a specific purpose.

At 5,800mm long the EZ-Ultimo as large as a Rolls-Royce Phantom, but lower than a MINI. Speaking with Auto Express, Renault design director Laurens Van Den Acke, empathised how design will play an increasingly pivotal role with autonomous vehicles. 

“A lot of people said when we began to design autonomous vehicles that design would be dead – we'll be driving around in things that need to be cheap,” he told us. “Once every manufacturer is doing the same thing what becomes the differentiator? If the functionality is the same, design is going to make the difference. It gives me hope because the experience we offer and our design will become that differentiator.”

The cabin has been designed to feel like a lounge and has seating for three; a large, backwards-facing armchair and deep bench are trimmed in green velvet. The floor of the cabin, beneath which the car’s battery sits, is made from American walnut, while the surfaces are made from 30mm thick marble. 

Based on a new electric platform, the EZ-Ultimo is powered by a lithium-ion battery, which drives the front wheels through an electric motor. Because of the car’s proportions four-wheel steering has been fitted to increase agility and reduce the car’s turning circle. Renault has not stated the concept’s power output or range. 

Although previewing a future in the luxury segment Van Den Acker told us it is not an area that Renault will focus on: "Lets be honest we will not be a premium brand that is not our ambition because in order to be premium you have to be premium everywhere from Audi A1 up to Audi Q8,” he told us. “Generally we’d like to have a few vehicles in the high end that could complete.”

Click here for all the latest from the 2018 Paris Motor Show...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Hydrogen and efuel cars can help save the European auto industry, says Renault boss
Renault boss, Luca de Meo, stood next to Renault 5
News

Hydrogen and efuel cars can help save the European auto industry, says Renault boss

Renault boss, Luca de Meo’s strategy to save Europe’s car industry includes a bigger role for hydrogen
21 Mar 2024
Stop regulating us out of business and make a plan: Renault boss attacks politicians
Luca De Meo - Renault
News

Stop regulating us out of business and make a plan: Renault boss attacks politicians

As cheap Chinese EVs pose an existential risk to the car industry, a top French exec warns political leaders that leaders ‘the prosperity of Europe is…
19 Mar 2024
Best new cars coming in 2024
Best new cars coming in 2024 - header image
Best cars & vans

Best new cars coming in 2024

There are some big new models from the likes of BMW, Citroen, Dacia, Ford, MINI, Skoda and more on the way in 2024
12 Mar 2024
New Renault 5: price, specs, launch and on sale dates
Renault 5 - front
News

New Renault 5: price, specs, launch and on sale dates

The much-loved Renault 5 is back in action as a brand new electric car. Here's everything you need to know about it...
28 Feb 2024

Most Popular

Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay
Road tax documentation
News

Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay

Drivers with newer cars will now pay £10 more per year, although the biggest gas guzzlers fare even worse
28 Mar 2024
Posh new trim level for Dacia Sandero while the Sandero Stepway gets more power
Dacia Sandero - front
News

Posh new trim level for Dacia Sandero while the Sandero Stepway gets more power

Both the Sandero and Sandero Stepway ranges have been tweaked, gaining more safety features to meet the latest regulations
26 Mar 2024
Huge Audi new car blitz to bring us 9 models in 2 years
Upcoming Audi models - four-way image
News

Huge Audi new car blitz to bring us 9 models in 2 years

After a quiet few years, the German giant is gearing up for its biggest product onslaught to date
25 Mar 2024