Renault’s modern-day land yacht: The Nepta concept
Newswheel staff :: 08 September 2006 :: Filed under Cabriolet, Renault, Europe & UK
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Slack at the tiller?
No doubt purely in the interests of symmetry, Renault has released details and images of the Nepta concept car, due to be unsheathed in public at the end of the month. Consequently, all three of the big French brands have now shown their hands in the lead up to the Paris motor show which kicks off on the 28th (Edit: Newswheel’s bad – it was actually Peugeot who released details of the 207 EPURE last)…
Unlike Citroen and Peugeot’s tree-hugging, hybrid ‘n fuel cell concepts, there’s no enviro-friendly pretence surrounding the Nepta. It’s an out-and-out pleasure machine powered by an indulgent 3.5-litre 420bhp twin-turbo V6. Yes, it sports direct injection which Renault claims significantly reduces both CO2 emmissions and fuel consumption. But in relative terms, it’s an old school gas guzzler.
(Click for high res image)
Courtesy of 413lb/ft of torque and a seven-speed slushbox, the Nepta is reckoned to hit 62mph in 4.9 seconds. However, as the four-seater cabriolet configuration suggests, the Nepta is more effortless cruiser than track-day tool.
The concept is also refreshingly free of showbiz technology gimmicks and appears to be a simple style statement that mixes modern detailing such as LED headlights with overall proportions, including an unashamedly enormous rear overhang, that hark back to an earlier era.
As the Renault PR bumpf says, the Nepta “is an echo of the golden age of automotive styling.” That said, the motorised gullwing doors (it’s not clear from the first images exacty how these are configured) and 23-inch rims are pure concept car frivolity. There’s no word on whether Renault expects any particular details, stylistic or mechanical, of the Nepta concept to turn up on its production cars.
Posted 14 January 2007, by gjhgjhg
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