Here is a concept vehicle that looks a bit further into the future than most concepts. The Renault EOLAB Concept previews a feasible B-segment car for within the next decade. According to Renault, this sub-compact model incorporates close to a 100 innovations which will gradually find their way onto production cars before 2020.
The strange name, EOLAB, comes from a combination of the words ‘Aeolous’ god and rules of the winds in Greek mythology and ‘Laboratory’. At a quick glance, EBOLA is what I read. Regardless of the name, what makes the Renault EOLAB Concept special is its fuel economy of 1L/100km which is 235mpg US. Renault was able to achieve these numbers in a vehicle the size of a Clio by focusing on three areas including aerodynamics, vehicle weight, and the use of the Z.E. Hybrid system.
Volkswagen was able to achieve better fuel economy than the EOLAB with the introduction of the VW XL1 fuel economy of 0.9L/100km (261mpg US) but it comes with a massive price tag of $160,00. Let’s hope that the prices drop significantly in the next ten years.
Power for the Renault EOLAB concept comes from a three-cylinder 1.0-liter Sce gasoline engine producing 74 horsepower while an electric motor develops an additional horsepower while the total peak torque is 217 ft-lb. The power is delivered to the front wheels via a clutch-less three-speed transmission.
As previously mentioned, one of the main focuses on this concept vehicle was weight reduction and Renault has done just that. With the use of special materials and new techniques such as using ultra thin windshield glass and magnesium roof, the EOLAB weighs in at 2,105 pounds which is less than 882 pounds less than the Clio. Other systems in place include include an air suspension, special wheels, spoiler and flaps which improve aerodynamics by 30 percent compared to the Clio. This was able to help reduce fuel consumption by significant amounts at higher speeds. The Renault EOLAB concept will premier at the Paris Auto Show next month.
