| Your personal background. |
|---|
Renault has teased whatt iits new electric 4 supermini
could look like by creating a drone version using the classic model's bodywork.
Bosses at the French car company confirmed earlier this year that the iconic Renault 4 nameplate will be reborn as a compact electric crossover byy the middle
of the decade as part of its transition away from conventional petrol and diesel engines.
However, the 'AIR4' cncept unveiled on Friday isn't thee vehicle you might have been expecting - especially because it doesn't have wheels.
Thee one-off creation iss aan electrric drone in the shape of the classic Renault
4 body that can fly at speeds of up to 58mph and at a height of 700
metres. And the creators have flown it in real-world tests.
more videos
1
2
3
Watch video Volvo's first MPV: Tour the EM90 electric people carrier
Watch video Ambulance turned into pub wins eBay's best van conversion award
Watch video British Leyland's Morris Ital TV
advert in 1981
Watch video Croatian supercar company sets speed Guinness World Record in REVERSE
Watch video Discover fifth-generation of the Toyota
Prius expected to cost £40K+
Watch video Nissan Hyper Tourer comes with a flat screen display on the floor
Watch video Toyota shares FT-Se with the world at the Tokyo Mobility Show
Watch video Nissan Hyper Force is the new electric supercar concept of the brand
Watch video Motor company unveil Madza Iconic SP concept at Japan Mobility show
Watch video BMW Series 3 is named the BEST second-hand car by experts
Watch video A look inside Jaguar Land Rover's new EV test facility
Watch video New Mini eMastered released but with an eye-watering price tag
Renault4 for the skies: The French brand has marked the 60th anniversary of
one of its best-selling cars of all time with a drone version.
And it is likely a teaser for the new electric Renault4 crossover that's due before 2025
The drone has been put through flight trials, though video footage merely shows it hovering
above the ground rather than racing through the skies
The French car maker has teamed up with wacky vehicle-design hub TheArsenale to create a futuristic 'showcar' to mark the 60th anniversary of the Renault 4, which was
originally produced between 1961 and 1994 and sold more than 8 million examples in over 100 countries in those 33 years.
But while Renault says it is a show car, it flies rather than drives.
It does away with the wheels and replaces them with four
two-blade propellers, one at each corner of the vehicle, like an oversized drone you can sit inside.
RELATED ARTICLES
Previous
1
Next
Iconic Renaults to return as electric cars: The revived...
Most efficient electric cars revealed: New rating system...
When are car brands going electric? We look at each...
Share this article
Share
HOW THIS IS MONEY CAN HELP
How to get the cheapest car insurance: Ten tips for cheaper car cover
And what you sit in is a retro take on the Renault Jordan 4 Retro Black's classis body shape, which sits in the middle of the drone's frame.
In order to get in, the driver has to lift
the shell up, which is hinged at the front, and close the body over themselves.
Inside is a single lightweight seat, though the
rest of the interior is extremely sparse.
Footage of the airborne drone also gives a clearer view
of the retro Renault 4L shape used for the bodywork to mark the 60th anniversary of the volume-selling French classic
TheArsenale - the future mobility designer behind the inception of the drone and has designed everything from stealth boats
to military-grade ATVs and personal submarines -
says its engineers tested terabytes of data to improve and
fine-tune the design
The drone features a Renault4 body on top of a carbon fibre
chassis. The driver has to lift the lightweight Renault4 shell in order to
get seated inside
The lightweight shell, also constructed using carbon fibre, is hinged at the front and lifts high
enough for a pilot to duck underneath to get into the cabin
AIR4 reach 700 metres and tilts to 45 degrees during flight as it
moves forwards. The outright top speed is 26 metres per second
- 58mph - and it has a take-off speed of 14m/s (31mph)
more videos
1
2
3
Watch video Volvo's first MPV: Tour the EM90 electric people carrier
Watch video Ambulance turned into pub wins eBay's
best van conversion award
Watch video British Leyland's Morris Ital TV advert in 1981
Watch video Croatian supercar company sets speed Guinness World
Record in REVERSE
Watch video Discover fifth-generation of the Toyota Prius expected to cost £40K+
Watch video Nissan Hyper Tourer comes with a flat screen display on the
floor
Watch video Toyota shares FT-Se with the world at the Tokyo Mobility Show
Watch video Nissan Hyper Force is the new electric supercar concept of the
brand
Watch video Motor company unveil Madza Iconic SP concept at Japan Mobility show
Watch video BMW Series 3 is named the BEST second-hand car by experts
Watch video A look inside Jaguar Land Rover's new EV test facility
Watch video New Mini eMastered released but with an eye-watering price tag
The entire vehicle is constructed from carbon fibre to ensure it is lightweight enough - with a pilot onboard - to
be able to take to the Air Shoes Online.
Powering the AIR4 drone is 22,000 amp-hour lithium
polymère batteries that generate a total power of around 90,
000mAh.
It can go as high as 700 metres and tilts to
45 degrees during flight as it moves forwards.
The outright top speed is 26 metres per second
- 58mph - and it has a take-off speed of 14m/s (31mph).
Renault describes the concept as a 'symbol of independence and freedom,
born out of the realisation that traffic is compounding, lives are grinding to a halt, and the
world above us is unhampered'.
Powering the AIR4 drone is 22,000 amp-hour lithium polymer
batteries that generate a total power of around 90,000mAh. Inside is this single
lightweight seat, though the rest of the interior is extremely sparse
Like the Renault5 concept already shown earlier this year,
the AIR4 hints the reborn 4 will have a retro take on the original's design, retaining the postvan-like body shape and incorporating the revised
Renault logo and an oval headlights flanked by LED running lights
AIR4 does away with wheels and replaces them with four two-blade propellers
(pictured), one at each corner of the vehicle
Renault describes the concept as a 'symbol of independence and freedom, born out of the realisation that traffic is compounding,
lives are grinding to a halt, and the world above us is
unhampered'
TheArsenale - which has its European headquarters in Paris
and has designed everything from stealth boats to military-grade ATVs and personal submarines - says its engineers tested terabytes of data to improve and fine-tune the design.
And the future mobility company has even carried out real-world trials ahead of its public
reveal.
Commenting on the vehicle's unveiling on Friday, Arnaud Belloni, global marketing director at Renault,
said: 'After a year-long of celebration we wanted to
create something unconventional to close up the 60th anniversary of
4L.
'This collaboration with TheArsenale was a natural fit.
The flying showcar AIR4 is something unseen yet and a wink to
how this icon could look like in another 60 years.'
The Renault 4 - which was originally produced between 1961 and 1994 (pictured)
- will be reborn as a compact crossover before 2025, the French firm announced earlier this year
Some 80 million Renault 4s were sold during its 33-year production run, making
it one of the brand's best-selling models of all time
Before 2025, Renault has promised it will relaunch the 4 nameplate to use on an electric crossover that will be built on the same chassis as the Renault5 EV that's due to go on sale in 2024 to replace the Zoe
While the AIR4 is only a concept, it does provide an early glimpse
of the reborn Renault 4 that will see the return of the legendary nameplate
when it is reborn as an electric car before 2025.
Renault confirmed in June that it will revive the 4 and 5 as part
of its shift to electric cars in the next half decade,
with boss Luca de Meo confirming they will be among 10 new EVs launched
before 2025.
Both will be produced on Renault's electric-dedicated CMF-BEV platform and use the latest battery technology
- though further details about the 4 in particular remain thin on the
ground for now.
Like the Renault 5 concept already shown earlier this year,
the AIR4 hints the reborn 4 - which is said to be called the '4ever'
- will have a retro take on the original's design, retaining the postvan-like body shape and incorporating the revised Renault logo and an oval headlights
that are flanked by LED running lights.
The electric 4 crossover will hit the market after the reborn Renault 5, which is due to be
launched in 2024 with a price tag that's around 33 per cent less than the existing small electric Renault, the Zoe.
The most basic version of a Zoe costs from £27,500 in the UK -
which means the 5 could launch with a target price in the region of just
£18,500, inclusive of the Government's existing £2,500 Plug-in Vehicle Grant.
An electric Renault 4 - likely called the '4ever' - will
be built on the brand's electric-dedicated CMF-BEV platform and use the
latest battery technology - though further details
about the 4 in particular remain thin on the ground for now
Renault confirmed in June that it will revive the 4 and 5 as part of its
shift to electric cars in the next half decade , with boss
Luca de Meo confirming they will be among 10 new EVs launched before 2025
Instead of lithium-ion batteries, as used in most
electric vehicles today, both the 4 and 5 will could run on Nickel, Manganese and Cobalt (NCM)-based batteries, which Renault says will reduce the cost per kWh
to around $80 (£58) by 2030.
In terms of driving range, this should improve performance by 20 per cent.
Though it estimates the 5 will be able to drive for 249 miles (400km) on a
fully charged battery, which is on par with the current Zoe
in showrooms today.
Speaking about the Renault 5's return by 2024, Mr de Meo, who spearheaded the recent revival of the retro Fiat 500 in his
former role at the Italian marque, said: 'I know from experience that reinventing a cult products lights a fire under the whole brand.
'This is a cult vehicle at a price many can afford. And this is only the beginning for
the whole Renault brand.'
A motoring icon reborn: Renault confirmed the Renault 5 will be reborn as a sub-£20,000 electric city car by 2024.
It will retain the looks of the 5 Prototype revealed earlier this year,
which is styled to look like the 5 Turbo hot hatch of the 1980s
The 5's return: Side-by-side, you can see some of the shared
design cues of the 5 Prototype with the iconic 1972 original
It estimated that the electric Renault 5 will be able to drive for
249 miles (400km) on a fully charged battery, which is on par with the current Zoe in showrooms today
more videos
1
2
3
Watch video Volvo's first MPV: Tour the EM90 electric people carrier
Watch video Ambulance turned into pub wins eBay's best van conversion award
Watch video British Leyland's Morris Ital TV advert in 1981
Watch video Croatian supercar company sets speed Guinness World Record in REVERSE
Watch video Discover fifth-generation of the Toyota Prius expected to cost £40K+
Watch video Nissan Hyper Tourer comes with a flat
screen display on the floor
Watch video Toyota shares FT-Se with the world at the Tokyo Mobility Show
Watch video Nissan Hyper Force is the new electric supercar concept of
the brand
Watch video Motor company unveil Madza Iconic SP concept at Japan Mobility show
Watch video BMW Series 3 is named the BEST second-hand car by experts
Watch video A look inside Jaguar Land Rover's new EV test facility
Watch video New Mini eMastered released but with an eye-watering price tag
CARS & MOTORING: ON TEST
Volvo EX30 review: Sweden's new 'green' pocket rocket SUV
rival Tesla
Is Renault's new Austral E-Tech SUV the complete package?
We drive it
The Audi Q8 is annoyingly good for a 'sporty' coupe-style SUV
Ferrari Roma Spider costs £210k - here's what you
get for your money
China's all-electric BYD Dolphin lands ashore - we test
it on UK roads
Our epic road test through Demark and Sweden in the new
Polestar 2
New Abarth 500e convertible is a rare treat - it's electric
and sporty
Honda's new CR-V is bigger than its predecessor - but is it better?
We beat the new Bond to test his new car: Aston Martin DB12 review
Behind the wheel of Rolls-Royce's Spectre:
We test the new EV Roller
Skoda's crowning glory: Superb L&K 4x4 Estate with extras driven
Maserati Grecale test - the SUV with 50% of sales projected for women
Dacia's budget family car with seven seats! The £18,000 Jogger tested
This Q8 is just great: We take Audi's new Sportback e-tron for a
spin
Enter the Dragon! BYD Atto EV is the Chinese company's first UK model
Ferrari's first four-door family car: New £313,
000 Purosangue driven
Thrills without frills: £31,000 MG5 is one of
the cheapest family EVs
Renault's Arkana ticks all the boxes for what car-buying Britons want
Can Peugeot's chic 408 hybrid crossover be
a hit in the UK? We test it
We drive the Civic Type R - the rebellious bad boy in Honda's line-up
Rolls Royce Spectre: What's it lke to drive the first ELECTRIC Roller?
Ineos Grenadier driven: Sir Jim Ratcliffe's £69,000 Defender
Can you really live with a tiny Citroen Ami? Seven tasks in seven days
Don't supersize me! Is the 'smaller' Volvo XC60 all the SUV you need?
We pamper some passengers in the new £211k Bentley Bentayga
New kind of Buzz! VW's electric MPV still feels like a hippy campervan
A car for all seasons: A 600-mile round trip in Peugeot's 3008 GT PHEV
Feline fun: Funky Cat is the new pure-electric car from China's Ora
Skoda's zero-emission hero: The Enyaq IV vRS is its hot electric SUV
Toyota's modern marvel: GR86 sports coupe is here - and
it's brilliant
Perfect for energy blackouts: Kia's new Niro EV can power your freezer
Retro bus: We put VW's new ID Buzz van though its paces on UK roads
Want a family electric car that won't cost the earth?
£24k MG4 EV test
The new 11th generation of the Honda Civic hits the market
French fancy: Sleek Peugeot 308 SW estate
attracts admiring glances
Vauxhall reaches for the stars with the latest Astra: We've
driven it
Cool ride: We test the new Citroen C5X on the hottest day of the year
Choices, choices - there's three types of Kia Niro - we
test the PHEV
Pininfarina's £2m Battista accelerates quicker than a fighter jet
Grand Juke of torque: Nissan's new British-built hybrid compact SUV
A supercar with ultra-green credentials: Hybrid McLaren Artura
test
Subaru's cautious comeback: We test the new all-wheel drive Outback
Sporty Cupra Born offers a taste of Spain. We
drive the electric hatch
Driving the fastest luxury SUV on the planet: Aston Martin DBX 707
Royal Range Rover hits the road: We test the new
£100k luxury SUV
We go to the Arctic Circle to test the £400k Rolls-Royce Spectre EV
BMW goes snap-happy: 2 Series Active Tourer has onboard selfie camera
It might be red but Ferrari's 296 GTB is a definitely a green supercar
Test of a pre-production VW ID Buzz ahead of electric camper's debut
Sir Jim Ratcliffe's off-roader DRIVEN: We test the new Ineos Grenadier
Dacia Duster cuts a dash: We drive the new no-frills family SUV
Is the Vauxhall Corsa really better than a Ford Fiesta?
We test one
In the week Kia tops UK sales charts, we try its all-new Sportage
SUV
Genesis will rock you! New GV70 Shooting Brake hits the right notes
Absolutely fabia-lous: Skoda's 4th-gen hatchback
demonstrates staying...
Is this the most high-tech car on the road? Mercedes' £100k EQS driven
Kia's EV6 coupe-like crossover is creating an electrical storm at £41k
Audi RS3 Sportback is a veritable muscle car that exudes performance
Honda's bold statement with new family oriented hybrid compact HR-V
Peugeot's new pride: Plug-in hybrid 308 will make you green with envy
Does Audi's Q5 Sportback have substance or is the SUV too impractical?
Jack of all trades: Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo is an £80k estate EV
Vauxhall's full of beans: First drive of the new Mokka crossover
V8 or W12? Which Bentley Flying Spur should you buy (in your dreams)?
Is Ford's Mustang Mach-E worthy of the fabled muscle-car name?
Previous
1
2
3
4
Jordan 5 Mettalic
6
7
8
9
10
11
 12
13
Next
Also visit my homepage - Jordan Low 11 |
| Your feedback on this profile |
|---|
| Recommend this profile for User of the Day: |
I like this profile |
| Alert administrators to an offensive profile: |
I do not like this profile |
|
| Account data |
View |
| Team |
None |
|