Renault teases with more sporty concepts

KEEN to assert its authority in motorsport, French car-maker Renault has revealed two new racing inspired concept vehicles.

The latest teaser shots show an enigmatic hatchback wearing a racing number and driving lamps reminiscent of yesteryear Monte Carlo rally cars.

Recent spy shots have captured the car in convoy with an example of the venerable Renault 5 Turbo 1 - also wearing similarly arranged driving lamps.

The intention to officially introduce the concept at the Monaco Grand Prix next month hints at the relationship between the city and the car.

This latest concept is a continuation of design chief Laurens van den Ackers’ ‘life-cycle’ design strategy and follows another van den Ackers project - the Twin’Z earlier this month.

The Twin’Z is expected to herald the forthcoming Twingo, and the reveal at Monaco of yet another pint-size concept may drip feed more aesthetic clues as to what to expect from the new production car.

Meantime, the release of these teaser pictures follow another Renault concept reveal just one day earlier, with a heavily modified version of the electric Twizy town-car was released at the manufacturing plant in Valladolid, Spain.

Drawing on Formula one technology, the diminutive Twizy Renault Sport F1 makes up for its size with notable performance thanks to collaboration between Renaultsport and Renault Sport F1.

A KERS system lifted straight from the F1 car boosts the standard Twizy power output to almost 75kW allowing it to hit 100kph in just six seconds. Slick tyres, flamboyant aerodynamic bodywork and an F1 steering wheel complete the package.

The concept may not be as far fetched as it sounds. In 1994 Renault revealed the fully functioning Renault Espace F1 which used the same year 600kW F1 car engine to propel the people-mover.

Renault will be demonstrating the performance of their new concepts at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July.