The Renault TreZor scoops the Most Beautiful Concept Car of the Year 2016.

• The Renault TreZor scoops the Festival Automobile International’s award for the Most Beautiful Concept Car of the Year 2016
• The Renault TreZor is an all-electric GT that embodies the styling cues and technologies set to feature on upcoming Renault models

AWARD-WINNING RENAULT TREZOR

The 32nd Festival Automobile International at the Hôtel des Invalides in Paris, France, has singled out the Renault TreZor as the Most Beautiful Concept Car of 2016.

“I would like to thank the jury for this award which inspires us to continue to pursue our design strategy,” says Laurens van den Acker, SVP Corporate Design, Renault. 

“The TreZor’s powerful, sensuous lines pave the way for the styling and technologies that will be features of our upcoming models. It also marks the beginning of a new cycle of Renault concept cars.”

“The jury decided this award should go to the TreZor because of the extreme beauty, sensuality and elegance it exudes,” observes Rémi Depoix, President of the Festival Automobile International. 

“It is the epitome of a concept car and we were notably won over by the cohesion of its overall design and the attention that has been paid to the details. It is a fine creative work which, we hope, will inspire Renault’s future roadgoing models.”

A POINTER TO THE STYLING PHILOSOPHY OF UPCOMING RENAULTS

The lines of the Renault TreZor are warm, sensuous and refined, while its assertive front end incorporates signature C-shaped lights. In terms of their styling, Renault’s upcoming models will draw their inspiration from the TreZor’s DNA as their forms become even more fluid and mature.

The TreZor’s interior design, meanwhile, places the emphasis on driving enjoyment and features a large enveloping touchscreen display that reinforces the cockpit feel. 

This customisable, connected interface juxtaposes warming, prestige materials like wood and leather. The interiors of upcoming Renault models will take their inspiration from these increasingly refined styling trends and connected technologies.

For the duration of this year’s Festival International de l’Automobile, the Renault TreZor will be on display at the Hôtel des Invalides alongside other concept cars selected by the jury. This display will be open to the public from 1-5 February 2017.

AUTOCAR AWARDS - Renault Corporate designer wins the coveted Designer of the Year award.

• Renault’s Senior Vice President of Corporate Design named Designer of the Year by Autocar
• Award honours van den Acker’s leadership, vision and style
• Dutch designer started Renault’s design revolution in 2009
• van den Acker’s latest design, the All-New Renault Mégane, will arrive in UK showrooms next month

Autocar, the world’s oldest car magazine, has named Laurens van den Acker its Designer of the Year at an awards ceremony held last night at Silverstone.

The award recognises van den Acker, Renault’s Senior Vice-President of Corporate Design, for kick-starting Renault’s design revolution and transforming its entire model range from when he joined he French vehicle manufacturer in 2009, and praises his leadership style.   

Matt Burt, Editor, Autocar, said: “Laurens van den Acker is as much an inspiring and visionary leader as he is brilliant car designer.

“Under his leadership Renault’s design has been transformed, with every car in the range instantly recognisable for good looks, whether we’re talking about the cheeky face of the Clio or the strikingly attractive new Mégane and Scénic models, set to be launched in the UK later this year.

“At Autocar, we admire his clearly expressed design direction, a leadership style that allows others to shine, and the fact that together, this team is producing such universally desirable products.”

Commenting on his award win, Laurens van den Acker, Senior Vice-President, Corporate Design, said: “I’m very honoured and grateful to receive this prestigious award from Autocar Magazine. I would like to dedicate it to my design team who continue to amaze me with their creativity and their passion. Designing beautiful, innovative cars is what drives us every day at Renault Design and this important recognition will motivate us even more in the future.”

Under van den Acker’s direction, Renault’s ‘Life Flower’ design strategy was conceived in 2010 and has led to a series of concept cars that have inspired the new Renault line-up. 

The Life Flower is made up of individual ‘petals’ that are each considered a stage within a person’s life: when they fall in love, head off on a journey, have a family, work, play, and become wiser. This design strategy is coupled with the definition of a new stylistic language inspired by three keywords that reflect the brand’s vision: simple, sensual and warm.

Renault Design is a highly international team with studios in France, Romania, Brazil, South Korea and India. The teams create designs for all Groupe Renault brands – Renault, Dacia, Renault-Samsung Motors and soon-to-be-relaunched Alpine.  Laurens van den Acker has overall global responsibility for Renault Design and oversees every design centre and its 500 employees.

Renault launches the Kapture Crossover in Moscow, the model in Russia will be a Four Wheel Drive version.

• The model was presented in Moscow on Wednesday 30^th March 2016, by Laurens van den Acker, Vice President, Corporate Design, Groupe Renault, and Renault Russia’s Managing Director, Andrey Pankov.
• The KAPTUR will play a part in driving Groupe Renault’s growth at a global level, including Russia.
• The KAPTUR will be manufactured at Renault’s Moscow factory.
• There are no plans for this vehicle to be sold in Europe.

Renault extended its range today with the presentation in Moscow of the all-new Renault KAPTUR crossover which will be equipped with four-wheel drive transmission in Russia. The KAPTUR is one of the 10 new models that Groupe Renault’s President and CEO Carlos Ghosn announced for this year as Renault continues to expand outside of Europe, notably in Russia.

The launch of the KAPTUR in the popular, fast-growing SUV segment will help Renault to consolidate its foothold in the Russian and Eurasian Customs Union markets. The new model is the latest addition to Renault’s range in Russia where it rounds out the make’s crossover and SUV line-up alongside the Sandero Stepway, Duster and Koleos.

The specific needs of the Russian market were dialled into the new crossover from the very beginning of the design process. In addition to its name, which starts with an emphatic ‘K’, the KAPTUR’s dimensions are also specific, while its four-wheel drive transmission stands out as a major ally to cope with the country’s harsh climate.

Renault’s latest styling cues

The KAPTUR’s design, which is based on Renault’s six-petal flower strategy which symbolises the human life cycle, marks a new milestone in the brand’s approach to styling in Russia and the CIS.

“To design Renault KAPTUR, we have mixed the best of Renault’s eye-catching design with a specific attention to Russian needs for off-road abilities, travelling comfort and versatility,” said Laurens van den Acker, Corporate Design, Vice President, Groupe Renault, at the model’s presentation in Moscow on March 30, 2016. “It is a genuine crossover, with a robust, expressive design.”

The front end features Renault’s new styling cues, including a bold Renault logo set against a gloss black background. The wide upper section of the distinctive grille features a new honeycomb mesh pattern, while the broad lower part of the bumper visually widens the car. The sculpted forms of the bonnet and door inserts are other bold crossover cues that express strength.

As at the front, a key feature at the rear is the C-shaped lighting signature of the 3D-effect LED taillights.

Robust and stylish

The KAPTUR’s stance points to the reliability expected of a genuine all-terrain vehicle, including approach and departure angles of 20 and 31 degrees respectively, plus record ground clearance of 204mm (unladen).

The KAPTUR‘s specific dimensions are:

• Length: 4,333mm
• Width (not including door mirrors): 1,813mm
• Height :1,613mm
• Wheelbase: 2,674mm
• Front track: 1,564mm
• Rear track: 1,570mm
• Turning cycle: 11m

The KAPTUR will appeal to motorists who lead busy life-styles, appreciate a modern atmosphere and value comfort. To heighten its appeal, Renault has also developed a unique set of customisation options for the car.

A modern, comfortable interior

In addition to its bold yet elegant exterior lines, the KAPTUR features a stylish, comfortably-appointed, occupant-friendly cabin that can be customised to obtain a unique interior ambience.

All occupants enjoy outstanding comfort, while the driver benefits from the highest driving position (708mm from the ground) in the KAPTUR’s segment. The rear bench seat comfortably accommodates three adults.

The KAPTUR’s boot volume is 387 litres and carrying capacity increases to 1,200 litres with the 60/40-split bench in the fully-folded position. Loading is facilitated thanks to a wide tailgate aperture (1,002mm) and additional boot lighting.

The KAPTUR comes with a modern equipment package for everyday use, including intuitive technologies such as keyless entry, ignition and locking for all versions. The KAPTUR is also available with the MEDIA NAV system which covers all the basic multimedia functions, complete with a seven-inch (18cm) touch screen display, a radio and Bluetooth® connectivity for audio streaming and hands-free use of mobile phones.

Adapted to the needs of the Russian market

The KAPTUR is an all-terrain 4x4 crossover engineered to cope with the conditions that can be encountered in Russia thanks to its high ground clearance (204mm), heavy duty suspension and reliable all-wheel drive transmission incorporating a locking centre differential. Other key features that make it ideal for the harsh wintry conditions that can be found in Russia and CIS countries are Renault’s Remote Engine Start system, heated front seats and a heated windscreen.

The KAPTUR, which will go on sale this summer, is manufactured at Renault’s Moscow plant. The assembly of the crossover in the Russian capital marks a further milestone in Renault’s dynamic product offensive in this market.

The next generation of the Iconic Renault Scenic will get its world premiere at the Geneva Show.

Renault created the compact MPV segment in Europe in 1996 with the iconic SCENIC and since has introduced three generations that have sold nearly 5 million units. Following that success, Renault is poised to introduce the new SCENIC.

The new SCENIC redefines MPV thinking with a fresh approach to the segment’s traditional cues.

Groupe Renault’s Chairman and CEO Carlos Ghosn and the Group’s SVP Corporate Design Laurens van den Acker will unveil the new SCENIC on March 1 at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show.

Renault provides pre-launch glimpse of the new Scénic

Renault created the compact MPV segment in Europe in 1996 with the iconic SCENIC and since has introduced three generations that have sold nearly 5 million units. Following that success, Renault is poised to introduce the new SCENIC.

The new SCENIC redefines MPV thinking with a fresh approach to the segment’s traditional cues.

Groupe Renault’s Chairman and CEO Carlos Ghosn and the Group’s SVP Corporate Design Laurens van den Acker will unveil the new SCENIC on March 1 at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show.

Revitalising the MPV segment

The guiding principle behind the fourth-generation SCENIC was to provide a completely fresh take on the compact MPV. For the first time, like the new Espace, the model features a three-part windscreen that provides a panoramic view and enhanced visibility.

A number of styling features give the new SCENIC a dynamic edge. Compared with the SCENIC 3, its ground clearance has been raised and the rear overhang has been shortened, while a wider track at both the front and rear provide the vehicle with a particularly solid stance.

The new SCENIC comes with a distinctive lighting signature in the form of C-shaped head lights that benefit from LED Pure Vision technology like higher-end models.

The veil will come off the new SCENIC on the Renault stand at the Geneva Motor Show at midday on March 1 with Groupe Renault’s Chairman and CEO Carlos Ghosn and SVP Corporate Design Laurens van den Acker.

Join us to hear about all of the features packed into the new SCENIC along with the story behind the story.