Renault Zoe
This second iteration of the Zoë concept was a Paris surprise. Although it is billed as a concept, according to design manager Geoff Gardner, the design seen here closely represents the production version of a Modus-sized 5-seater ZE model that's planned to go on sale in 2012.
Although the overall profile is fairly conventional, there's softness in the surfacing that's fresh and gives a friendly, non-threatening character. There's also enough new detailing to make it interesting. For instance, the way the shoulder line sharpens as it runs rearwards into the tail lamp, the scallop in the lower door, and an interesting C-pillar treatment where the concave sweep of the rear window is echoed in the DLO. The front demonstrates the new Renault DRG and a lower grille that has mesmerizing concentric rings. Headlamps feature seven square LEDs, surrounded by a blue ring that switches to white or to orange when the indicator is activated. What's more, there are little marker lamps to provide some animation for the ‘whisker' lines in the front and rear bumper. "The Zoë is a little like a mouse, with small eyes and a sweet little nose, plus a sloping rear, not unlike the old Renault 4CV" admits Gardner, although other designers we spoke to thought it reminded them of a ‘soft' Alfa Romeo.
The white and gray interior continues the soft theme of the exterior with flowing lines and use of blue chrome inserts to frame the IP and door pads. The pebble-like shapes of the seats and the small center console (housing a plant on the showcar) create an ambience of calm, helped by the use of backlighting on some surfaces. Again, the detail design appeals - a lime green dot pattern is used on the IP and air vents, while printed circuit motifs are used on the pedals and floor carpet.
<!--531316af458e49d18f42e13af27b8c7e-->
This second iteration of the Zoë concept was a Paris surprise. Although it is billed as a concept, according to design manager Geoff Gardner, the design seen here closely represents the production version of a Modus-sized 5-seater ZE model that's planned to go on sale in 2012.
Although the overall profile is fairly conventional, there's softness in the surfacing that's fresh and gives a friendly, non-threatening character. There's also enough new detailing to make it interesting. For instance, the way the shoulder line sharpens as it runs rearwards into the tail lamp, the scallop in the lower door, and an interesting C-pillar treatment where the concave sweep of the rear window is echoed in the DLO. The front demonstrates the new Renault DRG and a lower grille that has mesmerizing concentric rings. Headlamps feature seven square LEDs, surrounded by a blue ring that switches to white or to orange when the indicator is activated. What's more, there are little marker lamps to provide some animation for the ‘whisker' lines in the front and rear bumper. "The Zoë is a little like a mouse, with small eyes and a sweet little nose, plus a sloping rear, not unlike the old Renault 4CV" admits Gardner, although other designers we spoke to thought it reminded them of a ‘soft' Alfa Romeo.
The white and gray interior continues the soft theme of the exterior with flowing lines and use of blue chrome inserts to frame the IP and door pads. The pebble-like shapes of the seats and the small center console (housing a plant on the showcar) create an ambience of calm, helped by the use of backlighting on some surfaces. Again, the detail design appeals - a lime green dot pattern is used on the IP and air vents, while printed circuit motifs are used on the pedals and floor carpet.
<!--531316af458e49d18f42e13af27b8c7e-->
