2018 Geneva Motor Show: Renault ‘urban mobility’ concept scooped

RENAULT’S Geneva-bound show-stopper has been scooped more than a week out from its official global reveal, stepping out in public for a photo shoot in Spain.

Looking like something out of the set of a Steven Spielberg’s movie, the futuristic, as-yet unnamed Renault-badged concept car is still firmly embedded in today’s technology; posters on the Cochesipers.net said ts movements were watched over by a bloke kitted out with a remote control.

Renault has released few details ahead of the Geneva concept’s reveal, saying only that it would unveil “ a new concept focused on shared urban mobility”. In other words, an electric people-mover.

“For 120 years, Renault has been passionate about making life easier for customers,” it said. “In keeping with Renault’s Easy Life brand promise, Renault has chosen the 2018 Geneva Motor Show to take the wraps of its brand new concept which embodies its vision for shared urban mobility.”

The most noticeable feature of that vision is a large cockpit-style transparent door that lifts up to allow entry and exit. The image also hints at how primitive the self-drive technology is; a power chord snaking out across the road tethers the futuristic people-mover to an electricity outlet.

Inside, there’s meet-and-greet friendly bench-style seating around the sides and back, suggesting enough room for up to six people. Intimacy isn’t really a factor; large transparent panels – we hesitate to say glass – on the sides opens up the cabin, while a similarly transparent roof allows plenty of light to flood in. Down the rear, there's what looks like slimline LMP1-style tail-lamps that provide a race car look.

The Geneva concept makes it seem as though Renault is joining other car makers in hedging the bet that one day, instead of selling us cars, it will encourage us to hire one on an ad-hoc basis - a concept Volvo is very keen to explore with its all-new Polestar 1 performance fastback coupe.

The 88th Geneva Motor Show starts on March 6. Visit WheelsMag.com.au for all the latest new car news and reveals as they happen.