When Volkswagen launched the XL1, the world like jerks. How could there be a car that only takes one liter of fuel for a distance o...
When Volkswagen launched the XL1, the world like jerks. How could there be a car that only takes one liter of fuel for a distance of 100 km. Step VW pulled the trigger like a machine gun. Bullets ideas from other manufacturers tumbled to fight XL 1. Including Renault, the French manufacturing. Structured, massive and systematic, Renault join forces in order to mix an antithesis of the XL1. As a result, hadirlah a car named Renault Eolab. We had the opportunity to test this car at Ceram, Mortefontaine, France, at the invitation of PT Auto Euro Indonesia, the agent holder of the Renault brand in Indonesia.
Unlike the XL1, Eolab closer come true. If XL1 looks very futuristic and the cabin capacity just for two people, Renault Eolab hathback shaped with a capacity of four people. While still a concept, in the future, Eolab aimed at replacing the Renault Clio. That is why in terms of shape, weight, up to the performance of Renault Clio used as a 'benchmark'.
Renault Eolab have 100 technological innovations are focused on three main aspects namely light weight, aerodynamics, and hybrid engines. But the biggest challenge is the combination of three aspects or pillars that should have affordable prices. According to Jean Pierre Fouquet, PHEV Hybrid Innovation Manager ZE, Renault Eolab price will certainly economical. But compared with the Renault Clio at the moment, of course, will be more expensive. "If Eolab went on sale, the owner will find that the operational cost of this car would be very cheap. Fuel consumption will be more economical, you can save money, the car tax is also cheaper because it gets the privilege of the government, and 'giving back' like that cumulatively will beat the selling price, "he told us.
Renault cut the weight of the car by using exotic materials such as magnesium roof, polycarbonate glass and aluminum panels. Steel is still used for collision protective structure at the front, the lower A-pillars, sills and sides of the car body. Renault Eolab exterior looks like hatchlings water. Renault reasons, this form is better aerodynamics. Distance beneath the front, larger than the rear. Its grille composed of many hexagonal-shaped bulge. In the middle there is a large Renault logo. Flat aft lights up the side of the fender. Bumper fused with grille. On the right and left side of the bumper there is a gap for air flow. There is also a water damp in the middle of the bumper.
In addition to the car precisely at the bottom of the front door, there is a gap of air flow to the air stream on the side towards the stern. Shape of the back is made mematah with small rear glass and rear lights futuristic. There is a pull of a line from the bottom side fender towards the middle of the trunk in order to sculpt the airflow.
If the shape looks futuristic exterior, the cabin looks more contemporary. The steering wheel with a combination of white and gray. Dashboard, door trim also two tone. The fourth seat clad in white leather. Seat shapes made very futuristic at the same ergonomic. The instrument panel is small (about the size of a cell phone with a screen measuring 5.7 inches +/-) On the left side shows the speed information and info car, then on the right side serves as navigation. There is a tablet with the task of displaying energy usage information and functions such as air conditioning and preferences cars driving mode.
The sitting position is lowered 50 mm and moved forward 115 mm approaching the engine room. This makes the low driving position and the like driving a sports car. Contra from the driving position is low, padded seat made. Replaced with a rearview camera and displayed on a screen measuring 5.7 inches +/- inside the cabin near the pillars A.
Renault Eolab wear penumatik suspension with three modes heights. The first mode for easy access in and out of the car. The second mode for urban driving. Dikecepatan third when running high.
Eolab wearing three-cylinder gasoline engine that has been modified Twingo belonging powered 75 hp peak. As hybrid cars, electric motors powered Eolab equipped with a maximum of 67.5 hp, as well as lithium-ion batteries 6.7 kWh. Torque of the electric motor is very large, namely 200 Nm. When combined with gasoline engines (95 Nm), the peak torque reaches 295 Nm.
Eolab wearing three-speed transmission with no clutch. No more transmission lever. Renault to replace it with a knob marked PNDR located in the center console.
How hasi test try? I press the start button yet. As with any hybrid car, when the car is idle life in EV mode rely on batteries. Quiet and no noise. As soon as the accelerator pedal in the press, a car drove up and produce a buzzing sound.
Eolab wearing three-speed transmission. Two teeth dedicated to drain power from the electric motor, while one gear is dedicated to drain power from the internal combustion engine / combustion engine. Eolab will run with power from a battery to a speed of 40 km / h. Above that speed, the electric engine will be replaced with a gasoline engine. A smooth transition.
At first I was hesitant to press the acceleration pedal, knowing the car is still a concept. I am afraid of destroying it. But curiosity compelled me to try it. I press the pedal deeper and increased speed. When the speed reaches 70 km / h, the suspension down to 25 mm and an active spoiler down to 100 mm. Small wing on the rear bumper will appear to reduce turbulence.
Still curious, I press the pedal deeper, abundant power flowing from the gasoline engine to the front wheels, the maximum speed increased to 120 km / h. This dikecepatan Eolab move swiftly like a small hatchback. Due to be tested on the track, so I intentionally treated him like a production car. Tire tread often curbs when cutting corners / racing line.
As a result, the suspension absorbs shock and vibration pneumatiknya well. When cornering hard, produced a very good grip. Steering response is also very good. It feels the same as Clio. What does it mean? Renault has managed to keep the pleasure of driving in Eolab like Clio. Too bad we could not test acceleration 0-100 km / h. But Renault claims, acceleration 0-100 km / h reached 9 seconds.
This high dikecepatan we very much enjoyed Eolab. No exaggeration if one tries Eolab will poison your mind. Our new shortcoming is that during the transition from the gear shift three-speed transmission that has been patented Renault. The results were not smooth. Still feels very annoying pause. Similarly, when the engine brake. The buzzing and the procession was still disturbing.
Currently driving test is finished, I took time to inquire about hybrid mode Eolab to a technician. I complained about the gearshift. "It's still in the development stage. If completed it will be as smooth shift dual clutch transmission, "he explained. I also complained about the fuel consumption of a hybrid ideal can never be achieved when driving on the freeway. The point would be wasteful as well.
Renault engineers asked back, why? I replied, while driving in high speed, the gasoline engine will function, and the electric motor will die. It certainly wasteful of fuel, and occurs in hybrid cars we've tested before.
The technician answers are not satisfactory, and he confirmed my claims about the fuel consumption. "Hybrid is not a solution to the highway," it said. I then approached at Jean Pierre Fouquet, ZE PHEV Hybrid Innovation Manager. I asked the same thing. After a long explanation, I replied. Renault why not make high-speed EV mode for electric cars? That is the condition of the freeway on the expressway will not spend fuel.
Apparently, Renault already has this solution. However, it has not been applied to Eolab. Later Eolab will have EV mode from 0-125 km / h. At a speed of 125 km / h will light the gasoline engine to charge the battery up to a speed of 150 km / h.
Finally we understand all the shortcomings, and it makes us aware of just how realistic this concept. Weakness arising solely because the car is not a production version. If all technical barriers completed, Renault Eolab will be supermini or small hatchback that is interesting both from appearance to performance.
Machine
Installation Machine Front, 3-cylinder 1.0 L + electric motor
Type Front Wheel Drive
Power 74 hp + 64 hp
Torque 200 Nm + 95 Nm
Transmission
Type Automatic Transmission, 3-speed
Performance (kph)
0-100 9 seconds
Fuel consumption
City 1 liter / 100 km (claims)