Renault plan to launch 12 new models in Europe in the next four years, featuring electric, range-extender, and hybrid powertrains. They’ve previewed a bold new design language with their new R-Space Lab concept. It’s described as a ‘laboratory for exploring the spirit of voitures à vivre‘ – that is, ‘cars to live in’. The R-Space name was previously used for a 2011 concept that ultimately previewed the styling of the previous-generation Espace.
The one-box concept is around 4.5m long and 1.5m tall. While Renault say the R-Space concept will not directly lead to a production vehicle, citing its radical interior, the production-ready exterior suggests it previews styling cues for next-generation vehicles, as previous concepts have done.
The cockpit is based around a curved panoramic screen spanning the entire width of the dashboard, and Renault say main functions can be ‘controlled as naturally as a smartphone’ from a central touchscreen. A small yoke steering wheel is paired to a steer-by-wire system, which Renault say offers better vision and comfort than found in today’s models.
Interior lighting is really interesting: multiple visible colours at the same time, compared to traditional selectable single-colour setups.
Exterior lighting heralds a new signature for front and rear, including a first rear lit logo. And the light-sculpture of these taillights is fascinating!
A lit bumper is also part of the front signature, as already seen on the front of the Alpine A390. Will it be the new Renault signature? We’ll have to wait and see.
This design seems to be an evolution of the Renault emblem seen at the Paris auto show in 2024.
