Description

The Paris Motor Show sees the wraps come off Renaults top-of-the-range concept car Ondelios designed for lovers of long-haul travel who set store by comfort and refinement. Ondelios epitomizes Renaults vision of the high-end crossover, combining a comfortable ride with respect for the environment. Clear illustrations of that vision are the vehicles ethereal design, its interior layout, and an original hybrid powertrain. The 4.8-metre-long, 1.6-metre high Ondelios has drawn inspiration from the world of aviation design to deliver high drag 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. It embodies Renaults vision of high-end car./n"Ondelios is inspired by motion rather than speed and is a whole new response to the call of the open road," enthuses Patrick Le Quément, Renaults Design Director./nThe 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 lights. They are built into the bodywork and ringed with air extractors to control the flow of air from the wheel arches./nThe glazed roof further emphasises the vehicles airy look and feel, bathing the interior in natural light. The steeply raked windscreen, which extends well down the bonnet, further accentuates this ethereal feel./n"We think of it as made from a single material, where the body and glazed areas merge into one. Ondelios is a glimpse of what the automobile might be in the medium term future," adds Patrick Le Quément./nThe butterfly-type side doors, which also feature an extensive glazed area, add a further touch of elegance to the cars overall styling. They swing out and upwards as the sills slide down to facilitate ingress./nThe dark blue anthracite of the bodywork blends perfectly with the tinted glazed area, making the car look as if it were all of a piece and a single colour. The tailgates upper section rounds off the sleek, aerodynamic lines with a profiled glareshield that slides inwards to air and cool the cabin./nOndelios 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 rim-side brake discs to ensure they suck in air effectively. The sleek sidewalls of the large diameter 255/40 Michelin Pilot Sport tyres deliver outstanding drag performance. Their tread pattern is designed to minimise deformation of the contact patch while on the move to help curb rolling resistance./nThe tread has efficient, active flow channels which, together with the wide circumferential groove that helps clear water, strengthen the image of a high-end, high-tech tyre.

Video URL:
http://www.luxetube.fr/video/280/ONDELIOS-AN-ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY-LONG-HAUL-JOURNEY


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