Renault Wind and its unique, electric, rotating-roof concept bring a breath of fresh air to the world of open-top motoring. It extends the brand’s range with a new model wholly dedicated to the pleasure of its occupants inviting them to enjoy an alternative way of driving. Through its concept and the technology it employs, Renault Wind is an ingenious illustration of Renault’s new brand signature, ‘Drive the Change’”.
Renault Wind targets customers looking for a compact everyday car and, as a two-seat coupé-roadster with a length of 3.83 meters, it slots into the Renault range between Twingo and Clio. Thanks to its ingenious, electrically-operated roof system, which pivots open in just 12 seconds, Renault Wind boasts unprecedented versatility: in the lowered position, the roof panel rests above the boot, meaning that boot volume is always 270 dm3 VDA, whether the roof is up or down.
Renault Wind has head-turning looks. Its blue-tinged gaze, muscular profile and rear-end forms, give it an emphatically modern profile. Unique styling details include the roof-cover cowls, chrome exterior door mirror housings and badging on the side which recalls the rotational movement of the roof-opening mechanism.
Meanwhile, there is an unmistakable ‘cockpit’ feel about the interior. The instruments are reminiscent of the world of motorbikes, the sport seats feature integrated head rests, while the low-set driving position and sporty layout of the controls are typical of roadsters.
The expertise of Renault Sport Technologies (R.S.T) in the realm of motoring enjoyment needs no introduction, and Renault Wind has benefited extensively from the expertise of R.S.T’s engineers. The new coupé-roadster is built on the same platform as Clio 2 R.S., and its chassis is perfectly suited to the power outputs of the two engines that are available for the car, the TCe 100 and the 1.6 16V 133hp. One of the chief accomplishments of R.S.T’s engineers is the fact that they have achieved the best weight to body-rigidity ratio for a coupé-roadster, allowing Renault Wind owners to profit from an outstanding ride plus very low fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
Renault Wind takes full advantage of Renault’s expertise in the fields of active and passive safety too, while the excellence of its chassis and its powerful brakes ensure exceptionally reassuring handling. Renault Wind’s length of 3.83 meters sees the newcomer slot between Twingo (3,60 m) and Clio (4,03 m), and marks the addition to the Renault range of a new, compact, coupé-roadster concept that is ideally suited to everyday motoring.
When it comes to this type of car, exterior styling is the chief factor in the purchase decision. Therefore, to appeal to its market, Renault Wind’s design needed to be both dynamic and robust, as well as unmistakably modern. Seen from the side, Renault Wind’s sporty, robust lines, steeply-raked bonnet, high waistline, extensively sculpted flanks and integral roll hoop immediately strike the eye.
The two roof-cover cowls located in the slipstream of the head rests are distinctive roadster features and form a natural link between the interior and exterior. Work on the windscreen header-rail, which sits in a far more forward position than that of rival convertibles, heightens the pleasure associated with open-top motoring and further underpins Wind’s roadster credentials.
The rear end incorporates a distinctive wing which forms part of the boot lid, while the boomerang-shaped rear lights provide a readily identifiable lighting signature.
Renault Wind is available in Glacier White (a non-metallic varnished finish), as well as Majorelle Blue, Dyna Red, Altica Grey and Pearlescent Black (varnished metallics).
There is an unmistakable ‘cockpit’ feel about Renault Wind’s interior which has been designed to heighten the sense of motoring enjoyment through a host of sporty cues. These include sport seats with integrated head rests, full instrumentation set in profiled tunnels and a translucent instrument panel cowl (red or black) that recalls the world of motorbikes.
The Dark Charcoal ambiance is set off by the door pulls, aluminium pedal covers, sports steering wheel and a range of satin-finish chrome details that highlight Renault Wind’s unique coupé-roadster appeal and irresistibly tempt you to open the roof and head off for the country!
When it comes to convertible car technology, Renault Wind’s roof breaks new ground. Owners of soft top cars are often anxious when their vehicle is parked outside, while folding hard tops can take up a disproportionate amount of boot space when lowered and are frequently restricted to larger cars. As a fast, easy and reliable means of lowering and raising the roof, and to avoid encroaching on valuable boot space when the top is down, a rotating mechanism stood out as the best solution.
After pulling on a handle to release the roof lock, the driver simply has to press on the electric switch for the roof to pivot round its axis between the quarter panels before silently coming to rest on top of the boot covered by an additional panel. An audible warning and a message on the trip computer inform the driver once the operation has been completed. In addition to being a quick way to lower or raise the top, this ingenious rotating system employs very few parts, which further contributes to its reliability.
The combined weight of the roof and its kinematics is a mere 21.8kg, which is a fifth of that of a conventional hard top. The interior of the roof is protected from dust and the elements in the ‘open’ position by a patented boot lid design, while the fixed rear window actively contributes to Wind’s structural rigidity.
Whether the top is up or down, the same generous, easily accessible 270 dm3 VDA of boot space means that Renault Wind owners can travel with baggage, yet still enjoy al fresco motoring at will. Opening and shutting the boot requires no more effort than an ordinary saloon thanks to two gas struts.
The expertise of Renault Sport Technologies (R.S.T) when it comes to motoring enjoyment needs no introduction, and Renault Wind has benefited extensively from the knowledge of R.S.T’s engineers. Staff at R.S.T’s engineering headquarters in Les Ulis, near Paris, France, worked closely with teams from the nearby Technocentre in Guyancourt to ensure that Wind benefited fully from the company’s very best skills. The new coupé-roadster capitalises on the strengths of the Clio 2 R.S. platform which is perfectly suited to the power outputs of the two engines available for Renault Wind, namely the TCe 100 and the 1.6 16V 133hp. The know-how of R.S.T’s engineers enabled them to achieve the best weight/body rigidity ratio for a coupé-roadster, allowing Renault Wind owners to profit from an enjoyable ride combined with low fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
Renault Wind benefits from an exemplary chassis :
- The front suspension features a MacPherson-type arrangement incorporating an aluminium lower arm (Cobapress® process) to minimize weight. The use of damper pushrods enhances the efficiency of the 22mm-diameter anti-roll bar for outstanding body roll control.
- The rear suspension is based on a programmed-deflection flexible H beam. For extra comfort and filtering performance, it has verticallymounted dampers and variable-rate coil springs. The 24mm-daimeter rear anti-roll bar ensures the optimum compromise between performance and ride comfort, while anti-roll performance has been balanced to optimize the work of the rear suspension and profit fully from the dynamic potential of the chassis.
Renault Wind sits on 16- or 17-inch Speedline wheels fitted with either Bridgestone (195/45 R16) or Continental (205/40 R17) tyres. Renault Wind’s electric power steering is calibrated to deliver precise, responsive performance. The steering ratio is 16.5, which is the same as that of Clio 3 R.S.
Minimizing weight is the single most important factor when it comes to optimizing performance. It also contributes to reducing fuel consumption, yet a high level of body rigidity is necessary to ensure faultless roadholding.
Consequently, the engineering teams paid careful attention to eliminate vibrations and achieve a high degree of body stiffness (9000Nm/degree). To achieve this, they equipped the body with simple, innovative and effective additional bracing:
- strengthening bars underneath the body and in the boot,
- reinforced sills,
- a full bulkhead between the cockpit and the boot.
The sum of this work enables Wind to claim a best-in-class weight-tostructural rigidity ratio. Meanwhile, the low weight of the rotating roof (21.8kg) allows the TCe 100 and 1.6 16V 133 versions of Wind to tip the scales at just 1,131kg and 1,173kg respectively.
In addition to returning the fuel consumption of an engine of its size, this feisty powerplant boasts the power output of a 1.4 and the torque of a 1.6-litre powerplant. It is equipped with a low inertia turbo which ensures minimal lag thanks to the fitment of a small-diameter turbine and compressor. Maximum power is 100hp (74kW) at 5,500rpm, while peak torque is 152Nm (3,500rpm).
The combination of the TCe 100’s small cubic capacity and low inertia turbo ensures responsive pick-up from low revs, with peak torque available at very low engine speeds and across a broad rev-band. The turbocharger includes a ‘over-boost’ feature which temporarily increases power output and torque (by 5hp and 6Nm respectively) in second, third and fourth gears at engine speeds of more than 4,500rpm. For added character, as well as extra punch and response, the TCE 100 engine drives through a short-ratio five-speed manual gearbox (JH3).
The combination of the TCe 100 engine’s smaller cubic capacity and the technology it employs maximizes driving pleasure, yet its combined cycle fuel consumption stands at only 6.3 litres/100km (equivalent to 145g of CO2/km). Renault Wind TCe 100 accelerates from standstill to 100kph in just 10.5 seconds.
Renault Wind is alternatively available with the Renault Sport Technologies-developed 1.6 16V normally-aspirated powerplant, the specially-tuned pitch of which serves as an immediate pointer to its fiery character. This flexible, high-revving, normally-aspirated 1.6 16V engine produces 133hp (98kW) at 6,750rpm and maximum torque of 160Nm at 4,400rpm. It revs swiftly and crisply all the way up to the red line which is set at 7,000rpm.
With this engine under the bonnet, Renault Wind delivers plenty of punch and driving pleasure at low and transient engine speeds up to 4,500rpm, although it truly come into its own when pushed beyond the 4,500rpm mark. Renault Wind 1.6 16V accelerates from standstill to 100kph is just 9.2 seconds and boasts a top speed of 201kph, yet fuel consumption has been contained at 7 litres/100km (equivalent to CO2 emissions of 165g/km).
Safety is a strategic priority for Renault which builds on the results of work carried out by LAB(1) and from its own engineering expertise to develop the most effective safety systems for real world driving situations. Renault Wind benefits fully from Renault’s savoir-faire in the fields of both active and passive safety.
A long list of driver aids and equipment is available to assist the driver:
- ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution,
- Emergency brake assist,
- ESC with understeer control,
- Driver’s seat belt warning light,
- Automatic headlamp activation,
- Automatic windscreen-wiper activation,
- Cruise control with speed limiter.
Renault Wind benefits from Renault Sport’s braking expertise to deliver powerful, durable stopping power combined with a reassuringly progressive pedal feel. Braking is provided by 280mm-diameter ventilated discs and 57mm-diameter callipers at the front, and 240mm-diameter discs with 34mm-diameter callipers at the rear. breaking distance:
- 50 km/h to 0: 10.5m
- 100 km/h to 0: 39m
- 130 km/h to 0: 65m
Renault Wind’s reinforced body structure notably features steel bars and tubing for the underbody and boot. Patented, innovative door bracing protects the survival cell in the case of a head-on or side-on impact. The fixed rollover hoop incorporates the rear window and protects occupants in a rollover.
The deformable steering wheel, retractable steering column and extensive padding help prevent traumatic injuries in a major head-on impact. Safety performance is further enhanced by the third-generation Renault System for Restraint and Protection (SRP3) which takes into account impact force and the build of occupants thanks to the combined action of the following features :
- seat belt pretensioners restrict forward movement of the body by holding the straps firmly across the thorax and lap,
- impact energy is further absorbed by the front airbags,
- head/thorax lateral airbags are incorporated in the seats.
Renault Wind will go on sale in July 2010 in the United Kingdom and Slovenia, and from September in its other western European markets.
