Renault will soon compete with the Volkswagen ID.4 with an electric SUV that will take over from the Scénic. This big brother of the Mégane E-Tech Electric will be announced with a hydrogen concept car of which the manufacturer has just unveiled a first image.
Renault announces a concept car, developed under the code name HCB, which should take over from the 2020 Morphoz concept to announce more faithfully the electric crossover that will replace the Scénic. With a length of between 4.40 m and 4.50 m, the production model should indeed constitute a “zero emission” alternative to the future Austral (electrified thermal replacement of the Kadjar) and take up the name of the compact MPV of the brand well whether it’s an SUV. It will position itself above the Mégane E-Tech Electric in the range. But before going from the study to the series, this new concept with an as yet unknown name has a few surprises in store for us.
Renault hydrogen, not reserved for utilities?
Renault wants to be able to offer a “zero emission” range in 2030 and its work does not only concern 100% electric models. The brand’s next concept car will run on hydrogen. It could take over the H2-Tech technology recently inaugurated on the Master, which combines a small 30 kW fuel cell with a 33 kWh battery to power a 77 hp electric motor and provide a range of 500 km, with a full fact in 5 min. However, this remains to be confirmed, especially since hydrogen is the subject of new research by certain manufacturers such as Toyota, which is currently testing internal combustion engines using it as fuel in gaseous form. And justly, Renault talks about hydrogen engine », or more precisely of hydrogen engine in the English version of its press release. The question of the architecture used arises, and the concept could announce two independent elements together: a CMF-EV platform electric crossover on one side; a hydrogen heat engine on the other.
Muscular look for the future Renault SUV
Designed under the supervision of Gilles Vidal, defector from Peugeot, the concept seems to display a more angular look than the latest productions of the diamond if we rely on the image published as a teaser, which shows it in the dark. Straight lines hollow out the front bonnet on its sides to give a bulging, therefore muscular, appearance to its central part. The front light units promise to be thin and each have four cubes of LEDs providing their light signature. At the ends of the front bumper, other lighting sources visually emphasize the width of the car. We also note the presence of retro-cameras. Renault announces the use of recycled and recyclable materials in the construction of the vehicle, as well as very studied accessibility.
The concept car will be unveiled in due form in May 2022 and should be one of the stars of the Mondial de Paris next October. Produced in the Douai factory, the production model is expected for 2023 and will notably compete with the Volkswagen ID.4.
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