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Rétromobile - These Renault Concepts are a Way of Life

2015 Retromobile A world away from those imposing vehicles from the distant past, Rétromobile also had some modern representation are these two Renault Concept Cars. The Renault Scenic appeared at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 1991 and is claimed to be the first compact MPV. It was themed as "an invitation to travel" and was a technological showcase illustrating Renault's idea of a 21st Century "car for life and living", it even had an early navigation system, Carminet. 2015 Retromobile The absence of the centre pillar enabled the cabin to be accessed by two sliding doors with a single sliding door on the driver's side. The benefit of this was new levels of stiffness and strength and enhanced accident protection. 2015 Retromobile The styling was the work of Sergio Coggiola, the Scenic was powered by a two litre multi-valve engine with automatic transmission and ABS as standard. The car went into production in 1996 and continues to be built in updated and revised versions. 2015 Retromobile Twenty years on and the Renault R-Space concept car appeared the 2011 Geneva Salon. It was an attempt to inject some excitement into the staid Scenic range. Described at the time as "Playful and Ecological" (ticking all the boxes) and a "fun and Sporty car for the family". 2015 Retromobile The interior is very 21st Century as Renault declared at the time. "The rear area of the vehicle revolves around children. With a flexible and infinitely versatile play space, it is shaped by twenty-seven cubes, powered by miniature motors. Four settings can be programmed, from an all-flat surface, to a booster seat, a table or a random configuration (only when the vehicle is parked) for children games. The cube in R-Space’s cabin is very much in evidence – to the extent of even forming the covering for the floor and door casings." 2015 Retromobile In keeping with modern trends the R-Space has a 900cc turbocharged three-cylinder engine but performance is boosted by the aerodynamically efficient design with a claimed 0.28 drag coefficient. It is the work of Renault's design chief Laurens Van den Acker and has handclap suicide doors that reveal a large single opening with no B-pillar. Be sure you check back in tomorrow for the last installment of my Rétromobile 2015 Coverage. Trust me, you'll "tank" me later.
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