Frankfurt Preview: Renault shows off Fluence Zero Emissions Concept
by Sebastian Blanco on Sep 14th 2009 at 7:02PM 
Renault Fluence Zero Emissions Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
The Renault Fluence is the model that is replacing the Megane sedan this year. The Megane, of course, is the vehicle that the Renault-Nissan Alliance is using to test Better Place's battery swap technology. Put these two facts together and it's no surprise that Renault is bringing the Fluence Zero Emissions Concept to Frankfurt this year, one of four pure electric vehicles that the brand will show off at the IAA. We don't know much about the Fluence ZEC aside from a new set of leaked images, but the grand, sweeping interior certainly looks like it'd be a thrill to sit in.
A Better Place connection for the Fluence ZEC is hinted at in this image, which shows a battery swap station that claims a three-minute exchange time to get a fresh pack. A production version of the all-electric Fluence using lithium-ion batteries is due in 2011, when an expected 20-40,000 units will be produced.
[Source: World Car Fans]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Jason 7:09PM (9/14/2009)
I honestly cannot wait for cars to start looking more futuristic. But, is the world ready for it? I think this car is fantastic!
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Joseph 7:14PM (9/14/2009)
Once you take away the show car glam, I think it looks like a Mazda 3. That said, I think it looks great.
zamafir 7:30PM (9/14/2009)
yup looks good and the battery swap sounds like one of the more viable solutions to the finite battery technology dilemma. bring it!
Affalterbach 8:43PM (9/14/2009)
But the roofline reminds me of a G37. Wonder if Nissan designers were working on this one.
Joseph 7:11PM (9/14/2009)
U.S. Please?
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Dave 8:07PM (9/14/2009)
I think if the front ends on these new designs get any higher or bulkier for the sake of pedestrians, we're gonna run people over because we can't see them over the front end of the car.
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Sean 7:18PM (9/14/2009)
Nice looking Mazda3 they have there.
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Sean 2:14PM (9/15/2009)
Yeah you guys are right, they don't look remotely the same. http://autoworld.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/mazda-3-2010-img_1.jpg
Yes, I know all cars today are going to be using similar cues, but god damn.
Stu L Tissimus 7:29PM (9/14/2009)
I love love love those green highlights. I wish manufacturers would get beyond the idea that cars have to be two colors at most.
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Black Cat 7:40PM (9/14/2009)
First glimpse of the car name read "flatulence" to me. But that wouldn't be zero emissions...
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trevo4 9:36PM (9/14/2009)
You weren't the only one who read that!
sam 7:58PM (9/14/2009)
It's zero emission because no one will ever buy it!
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auto.design 7:58PM (9/14/2009)
Best looking French car of the day. Citroen and Peugeot: Fail.
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daleam 8:17PM (9/14/2009)
Ooooh pretty!
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Tony 8:19PM (9/14/2009)
How about that, my 07 Altima has a sexy younger sister. Don't try and tell me if she opened her door you wouldn't try to get in.
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jrhmobile 8:51PM (9/14/2009)
Wow. Between the Citroen Revolte(ing) and the Renault (Ef)Fluence, the French seem to have scatalogical offense covered.
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Josh 9:17PM (9/14/2009)
Looks amazing, Renault has some pretty good car designs, I wish nissan would bring some to the US
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dsgnr 9:42PM (9/14/2009)
I want the times back when they made the Avantime and the Vel Satis.
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polofresh11 11:30PM (9/14/2009)
That car looks very good. Especially coming from Renault. Remember what the cars the used to sell in the U.S. looked like? My aunt had one that had the nerve to make it into the new millennium. When she bought it the tire on fell off on the way home. Then the car used to start with the push of the clutch. It also liked to drive its self as it would frequently move foward when parked for extended periods of time.
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chris 12:47AM (9/15/2009)
Looks like a Renault. Oh wait, It is a Renault.
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