Renault introduces its new Concept car, Nepta, a four-seater luxury cabriolet featuring sleek, thoroughbred looks and making its public debut at the Paris motorshow later this month. Nepta's low-slung lines express elegance and movement, while its spacious, comfortable interior has all the hallmarks of a top-end model with performance worthy of a prestige touring car from its 420hp twin-turbo V6 engine.

"Nepta's breathtaking proportions and carefully tailored, innovative elegance are in perfect keeping with Renault's long tradition in body design. Its unique opening panels and styling which combines volume and vitality makes Nepta a truly modern vehicle," says Renault's Senior Vice President, Corporate Design, Patrick le Quément.

An appealing, luxurious and dynamic cabriolet

This flowing, elegant four-seater cabriolet is an expression of Renault's vision of driving pleasure. The wave-shaped side panels breathe fluidity and highlight the car's elongated lines, an effect which is further enhanced by the use of a specific anodized aluminium finish for the lower part of the body (sills and front and rear spoilers).

The front end is simple yet expressive. The LED headlamps are made up of three assemblies: daytime running lights, dipped and main beam headlamps and cornering lights. The headlamps employ a technology based on the reflection and propagation of light. The light beam from the main headlights is reflected by crystal-shaped transparent blocks that are electronically controlled for more precision. The quantity and distribution of the light is automatically adapted to the driving conditions. The rounded forms of the front wings are enhanced by the boomerang-shaped indicator lights located at the top of the wings themselves.

The long, tapered rear end, which is punctuated by the crystals of the rear lights, reinforces the impression of movement. The overhang is longer at the rear than at the front, highlighting the vehicle's attractive proportions and flowing lines. Nepta is an echo of the golden age of automotive styling, while remaining resolutely modern and innovative.

Nepta is a combination of the dream car and the passion for mechanical engineering excellence. The motor-driven gull wing doors open to reveal both the interior and the engine, which is elegantly housed in its compartment. The centrally positioned door hinges are covered by a polished aluminium panel representing a shooting star that runs the full length of the bonnet and contributes to the overall sense of movement exuded by the body design.

The doors are fitted with electronic obstacle detectors and an anti-pinch device for greater safety.

A luxuriously welcoming and roomy interior

Nepta boasts all the features found in prestige models with discreet technology for greater travelling comfort.

The dashboard appears to be suspended, while the transparent alveolate honeycomb-like extensions of the windscreen illuminate the pedal unit and make for a bright and clear drive station. The rev counter and cone-shaped instruments are surrounded by leather trim. The design of the instruments pays tribute to vehicles of the past, while the aluminium finish adds a modern touch. The combination of analogue and digital displays is a further expression of this blend between classic and contemporary automotive design. The air conditioning controls located at either end of the dashboard can be independently adjusted and combine advanced technology with ease of use.

The intuitive controls are inspired by the Touch Design approach. The centrally-mounted, rotary gear shift is easy and comfortable to use. The conveniently positioned multimedia information control is situated within easy reach, while the stalk switches and steering wheel-mounted control paddles are designed to match the form of the driver's hands. The seats are fixed, but the position of the steering wheel and pedals can be adjusted by a motor-driven mechanism to adapt it to the driver's physique.
The dashboard features special stowage compartments for glasses and other items, while the centre console incorporates a sliding cubby located between the rear seats.

The red leather upholstery creates an impression of continuity between the interior and the engine compartment. The two bench seats, which provide comfortable seating for four and which feature leather upholstery decorated with printed patterns, are secured to the floor by aluminium struts reminiscent of the world of sailing. DVD screens with folding protective covers are installed at the top of the front seat backs, the bottom sections of which are decorated with elegant, haute couture-inspired leather netting that is ideal for storing magazines.

Rear passengers are protected from turbulence by transparent air deflectors positioned between the front and rear seats.

A powerplant engineered for pleasure

Nepta's longitudinally mounted 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine is the embodiment of pleasure at the wheel. This 420hp powerplant takes the car from standstill to 62mph in just 4.9 seconds. Coupled to a seven-speed automatic transmission complete with steering wheel-mounted flick-shift controls, this direct injection petrol engine combines an outstanding drive with a significant reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.