Renault Eolab, the car of 2020

[NeilBlanchard]

For the brake system, Renault and Continental developed three advanced innovations. The most visible contribution was to suppress disc rub, whereby the brake pads remain in contact with the discs even when there is no pressure on the pedal. This constant rubbing adds slightly to fuel consumption. In the case of EOLAB, the pads do not touch the discs whenever the driver’s foot is off the pedal. In addition to being beneficial to fuel consumption, this also extends pad life.

Working with seat specialist Faurecia, Renault was able to reduce the thickness and weight of the front seats by using different materials for the frames (steel, non-ferrous alloys such as aluminium, carbon fiber composite and magnesium). The result was a 35% saving over the seat frame of a conventional B-segment vehicle.

To further perfect EOLAB’s aerodynamic performance, it is fitted with particularly narrow, 145mm-wide tires—40mm narrower than the smallest tires available for the Clio IV. Michelin and Renault’s designers worked on the tread pattern to give a visual impression of width, while the sidewalls were designed to exude an impression of light weight.

The active wheel covers are thermally activated, by sensors in the rims.

The A pillars are acting as air guides, I think? Like the scoops on the sides of the front bumper, they guide air flow around the corners of the car.

The 3 gears are used in combination to get 9 different ratios, in the electric and hybrids modes.

[pascal28]

Renault went to town on the active aero:
Renault EOLAB 1L/100km Concept car - Insight Central: Honda Insight Forum

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

I still remember when 145mm-wide tyres were mainstream in subcompacts such as the Renault Clio, Fiat Uno and Opel Corsa...

[NeilBlanchard]

Here's a direct link to the content pascal posted above:

Renault EOLAB ultra-efficient Concept - Car Body Design

[renault_megane_dci]

Been told the fake A-Pillar are there for looks and their contribution is to not affect airflow while showing an aero friendly look.

About the weight, we need to remember that 21st century cars are inherently heavier than those three decades older because there is much more mandatory things in them, not to mention crash performance.

[serialk11r]

Originally Posted by renault_megane_dci

About the weight, we need to remember that 21st century cars are inherently heavier than those three decades older because there is much more mandatory things in them, not to mention crash performance.

Yup. In the 80s the CRX was lighter than a 2ZZ Lotus Exige. Nowadays, the VW XL1 manages that curb weight but has to use carbon fiber and hollowed out parts everywhere to do it.

The Alfa 4C was supposed to be an ultralight with its carbon fiber chassis, but even that one ballooned by several hundred pounds when it was adapted for US standards.

That said they did manage to get the ND Miata below 2300lb with very little aluminum used, but that's probably as good as it gets. I think in the next decade to come the best we'll see is maybe a bit more aluminum usage in the industry for slightly lighter cars than what we have now.

[renault_megane_dci]

Alfa 4C, Miata, VW XL1, LOTUS Exige and the like are all two seaters !

So you would have to use 2 to go on holidays with wife and kids ...

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by renault_megane_dci

Alfa 4C, Miata, VW XL1, LOTUS Exige and the like are all two seaters !

So you would have to use 2 to go on holidays with wife and kids ...

This of course assumes that A) you have a wife & kids; and B) your idea of a holiday is driving somewhere with them. Per US government statistics, only 43% of households include children under 18. (Employment Characteristics of Families Summary ) Add the number of households that have more than one vehicle (one of them a kid hauler), and that's a pretty large market.

FTM, exactly what is wrong with using two cars for the small fraction of your life that you go on a holiday that involves driving?

[Vman455]

Originally Posted by jamesqf

FTM, exactly what is wrong with using two cars for the small fraction of your life that you go on a holiday that involves driving?

Stop making sense! Stop it, now! Out, I say!

[jamesqf]

Sorry, I guess I'll have to blame it on poor upbringing. I was woefully neglected as a kid, and never learned that it's anti-social to make sense :-)