Paris Preview: Renault Nepta gull-wing cabriolet concept

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Renault has pulled the wraps off its Paris stunner called the Nepta Concept – a four-seat convertible with a pair of motor-driven gull-wing doors. Gull-wing doors on a convertible? The doors pivot on an aluminum strip running down the center of the car's hood and a point immediately behind the rear seats, and they reveal the concept's 420-hp, 3.5-liter V6 hooked up to a seven-speed automatic when open.
The overall shape of the Nepta is very clean and simple, with an expressive face up front and tapered rear that hangs far out over the rear wheels. A nice anodized aluminum accent strip rings the lower part of the vehicle and nicely highlights the car's length.
The interior of the Nepta is a mix of classic styling cues and forward thinking that includes combination analog/digital gauges, a rotary gear shift and white leather "bench" seats, although we don't recommend forcing a fifth person to sit on that center hump.
Clearly the Nepta is a throw back concept for Renault that relies less on the draw of its design to attract attention than it does those trick doors. Again I ask, gull-wing doors on a convertible? No answer.
[Source: Renault]
PHOTO GALLERY
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PRESS RELEASE:
Nepta - a prestige cabriolet for genuine driving pleasure
Renault is unveiling its new Nepta concept car, a four-seater cabriolet with fluid lines and a thoroughbred profile. The low-slung body shape is an expression of elegance and movement, while the spacious and comfortable interior has all the hallmarks of a top-end model. Nepta is a dynamic four-seater GT cabriolet, offering performance at the wheel that is worthy of a prestige sedan.
An attractive and dynamic cabriolet
This flowing, elegant four-seater cabriolet is an expression of Renault's vision of driving pleasure. The wave-shaped side panels give an impression of fluidity and highlight Nepta's long body shape; an effect that is further enhanced by the special anodic aluminium colour treatment on the lower part of the body shell, the mud flaps and the front and rear spoilers.
The front end is simple yet expressive. The LED headlights are made up of three assemblies: the daytime running lights, the dipped and main beam headlights and the steering lights. The headlights use a technology based on the reflection and propagation of light. The light beam from the main headlights is reflected by crystal-shaped transparent blocks that are electronically controlled for more precise lighting. The quantity and distribution of the light automatically adapts to the driving conditions. The rounded forms of the front wings are enhanced by the innovative boomerang-shaped indicator lights, positioned at the top of the lighting units.
The long and tapered rear end, which is punctuated by the crystals of the rear lights, adds a further sense of movement to Nepta. The overhang is longer at the rear than at the front, highlighting the vehicle's attractive proportions and flowing line. Nepta is an echo of the golden age of automotive styling, while remaining resolutely modern and innovative.
Nepta is a combination of the dream car and the love of fine mechanical engineering. The motor-driven gull wing doors open to reveal the interior and the engine, which is elegantly housed in its compartment. The centrally positioned door hinges are covered by polished aluminium panels representing a shooting star that runs the full length of the front bonnet, contributing to the impression of movement that the body shell creates.
The doors are fitted with electronic obstacle detectors and an anti-pinch device for greater safety.
A luxuriously welcoming and roomy interior
Nepta boasts all the features found in prestige models with discreet technology for greater on-board comfort.
The dashboard appears to be suspended, while the extensions of the windscreen illuminate the pedal unit and make for a bright and clear driving station. The rev counter and cone-shaped instruments are surrounded by leather trim. The design of the
instruments pays tribute to vehicles of the past, while the aluminium treatment adds a modern touch. The combination of analogue and digital displays is a further expression of classic cars and the modern era. The air conditioning controls located at each end of the dashboard can be independently adjusted by each occupant and combine advanced technology and ease of use.
The intuitive controls are inspired by the Touch Design approach. The centrally-mounted, rotary gear shift is easy and comfortable to use. The conveniently positioned multimedia information controls can be easily reached, while the stalk switches and control paddles mounted on the steering wheel are designed to match the shape of the driver's hands. The seats are fixed, but the steering wheel and the pedals can be adjusted by a motor-driven mechanism to match the driver's dimensions.
The dashboard features special storage compartments for glasses and other personal objects, while the central console also has a sliding cubby located between the rear seats. The red leather upholstery creates an impression of continuity between the vehicle interior and the engine compartment. Both bench seats are coated with leather decorated with printed patterns. The four comfortable seats are secured to the floor by aluminium struts reminiscent of sailing boats.
DVD screens with folding protective covers are installed in the upper sections of the backs of the front seats. The lower sections are decorated with elegant leather netting that is ideal for storing magazines.
The rear passengers are protected against turbulence by the transparent air deflectors positioned between the front and rear seats.
A powerplant designed for pleasure
Nepta's longitudinally mounted 3.5-liter V6 petrol engine is the embodiment of pleasure at the wheel. This 420hp powerplant takes just 4.9 seconds to reach 100kph from a standing start. Coupled to the seven-speed automatic gearbox with flick-shift controls mounted on the steering wheel, this direct injection petrol engine combines an outstanding drive with a significant reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.












Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Jill Pedoe 3:43PM (9/20/2008)
Could you please tell me when the Renault Nepta & the Renault Ondelios are coming so i can buy. Can't wait Thank you
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drew 3:00PM (9/07/2006)
THE BIG 3 NEED THE PEOPLE WHO DESIGN CARS FOR RENAULT
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Jumper10 3:12PM (9/07/2006)
That is way cool! I have to assume that the side impact laws will stop that from ever being made.
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Michael 12:04AM (5/10/2008)
There is no Evidence Ever Suggesting that Gull Wing Doors wont pass for safety inspection or strength test. - En.Wikipedia.com Search: Gull wing Doors.
Also as an Engineer the direction the door opens has nothing to do with the strength of the door only the weight, but if the weight of the door get too low the structual integrety can be comprimized. Using high strength low weight composites easily solves these problems. Or for the case of a steel door, its just as easy to put in stronger Gas Lifts to compensate for the added weight of the door.
Negatives for these doors... If you flip the car over and it lands on the Roof, you can't get out
joe 3:09PM (9/07/2006)
wow. that car is stunning.
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Tri-Bob 3:10PM (9/07/2006)
Man does that look like a coffin
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Bill 3:12PM (9/07/2006)
It's wild, silly, and would never pass side-impact requirements, but this is so cool it gave me chills.
This is what concept cars should be about, crazy ideas that make people go "wow!". Pure fantasy, I love it.
I even love those little winged rear view mirrors, and the wing theme in gauge pod. The more I look at the details and the lines of the car, the more it looks like a bird. It's beautiful.
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Bill 3:18PM (9/07/2006)
I also forgot to mention...
Has anyone else noticed that all of the French concepts posted for the last 2 days on Autoblog have had white leather interiors? (The Citroen and that little Peugeot Pure)
Again, impractical and silly, but gorgeous.
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DPC car videos 3:40PM (9/07/2006)
As an exotic car maker, Lamborghini should have came up with this first.
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Araemo 3:29PM (9/07/2006)
4. That is way cool! I have to assume that the side impact laws will stop that from ever being made.
Posted at 3:07PM on Sep 7th 2006 by Jumper10
Why? A single, solid side panel would be much more rigid than shorter, smaller side panels(doors).
Now.. I don't see any top-up pics.. and that looks like it couldn't open the doors with the top up.. so is it really a convertable?
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DJ 3:33PM (9/07/2006)
Is it my imagination or is just about every European concept car riding out there on the "bleeding edge"? Sure, most of the designs a largely impractical for production, but they are just so damn COOL!And WHAT do we get from GM/FORD/DCX??? Nothing so memorable that it's worth mentioning here.....
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rwdmtparkingonly 3:46PM (9/07/2006)
I wish people would stop complaining that Detroit can't make something like this, this car looks painfully like the last Ford Thunderbird, especially the side profile.
The gullwing doors are just an autoshow gimmick like the suicide doors on the Chysler Imperial concept; the most interesting thing about this car is that it appears to be using the Nissan 3.5 V6 in a rear wheel drive configuration - something that could make it to production, probably with the G35 platform.
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Tim 3:54PM (9/07/2006)
It's way too long.
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Robert O 3:56PM (9/07/2006)
BEAUTIFUL, GORGEOUS, INCREDIBLE
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Clarence 4:07PM (9/07/2006)
Maybe the modern automotive renaissance will come from France of all places!
This car is interesting, but is not quite as invigorating as recent Peugeot and Citroen concepts.
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Bert 4:00PM (9/07/2006)
I see that Renault has been reading Autoblog... See post #4 here: http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/30/tuner-tuesdays-hamann-lamborghini-gallardo-spyder/
Maybe I should quit my job and become an auto design consultant.... Like Homer did.
Great design excercise Renault!
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Car chops and Discussion 4:05PM (9/07/2006)
WOW
that is one unique looking car!
http://www.carchops.com
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rwdmtparkingonly 4:42PM (9/07/2006)
"The modern automotive renaissance" - Not really - In production this will be a coupe or convertible with two conventional doors and the Infiniti G35 engine and platform. It even has the Infiniti center dash clock. It's interesting to see Renault leverage the merger to this extent, there is nothing revolutionary here.
The new MO is for concept cars to closely indicate the styling and general layout of a future model, with one dramatic not for production feature, to test the reaction of the public. Here the dramatic feature is the door design.
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tekdemon 4:58PM (9/07/2006)
Err..DJ, the Aero-X Saab concept is a GM car and it was pretty cutting edge.
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Richard Warren 6:49PM (9/07/2006)
It's great!
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