Another week, another bold Renault concept. The ‘Renaulution’ continues with the Embleme demo car, which brings a level of practicality to non-combustion vehicles. There is no release date yet but, given the popularity of the Renault 5, the Embleme will likely be in high demand before production even starts – thanks to it bringing long-range vehicles for people with one eye on the state of the planet to fruition.
A Powertrain for the Future
The Renault Embleme has two sources of energy: a rechargeable battery and a hydrogen fuel cell. The rear-wheel-drive architecture houses all the key powertrain components. The 160kW electric motor is powered by a small 40kWh battery, which saves weight and is less harmful to the environment than the gargantuan examples used in long-range EVs. The 30kW fuel cell draws hydrogen from a 2.8 kg tank and is up to 60% efficient.
This all sounds very impressive, but the range is what matters most. Renault claims the battery can provide a range of several hundred kilometres, but won’t go into specifics. The hydrogen will spur the Embleme on 350km (217 miles) and can be refilled in less than five minutes, allowing similar convenience to the ease of slopping fossil fuels into a petrol or diesel vehicle.
Futuristic Styling that Happens to Maximise Range
The Embleme is a real head-turner, with an abundance of curves and creases. The slightly raised shooting brake looks fantastic in the luscious, dark green and the wheels are out-there, to say the least. Extremely narrow lights at the front, a sloping roofline and a wacky rear are all hallmarks of a concept, but don’t be surprised to see something reminiscent of this design on the roads. The wide arches are due to the wheelbase’s width of 2.90 metres and, at 4.80 metres long, the Embleme is clearly designed with families in mind.
The looks aren’t just for show, helping the drag coefficient stay at an impressive 0.25. Key aero features include cameras instead of mirrors, flush door handles and an active diffuser in conjunction with a flat underside. This design may be the best thing to come out of the BWT Alpine F1 Team this year, as part of a collaboration with its parent company.
Part of a Bigger Picture
The eco credentials of the Embleme are enough to please almost all environmentalists. Designers and engineers meticulously found and eradicated every superfluous kilogram, aiming to tip the scales at 1,750 kg in total. The lower weight and use of the hydrogen fuel cells results in an estimated 5 tonnes CO2 eq. emissions across the Renault Embleme’s lifecycle, a 90% reduction when compared to a petrol Captur and 19 tonnes less than a Megane E-Tech – which is all-electric.
This is all part of Renault’s plan to go net zero by 2040 in Europe and by 2050 globally. The Embleme is at the forefront of this and will be revealed fully by Ampere, Renault’s electric division, in the near future.
