Renault Eolab: Record-Setting Fuel Economy
Manufacturers are looking to develop new strategies to reduce the fuel consumption of their cars. It seems that Renault is well under way, as they will unveil the Eolab at the Paris Auto Show, a vehicle that can sip up as little as 1L/100 km.
To achieve such an impressive number, the car has been built from the ground up to be as efficient as possible: many parts feature active aerodynamics (like the wheels, bumpers, grilles and side flaps) that move about to diminish drag at speed. Said bodywork is also very light, since the top is made of magnesium and all the panels that are not part of the chassis are made of thermoplastics. All these changes make the Eolab more than 400 kg lighter than the Renault Clio, which is about the same size.
A hybrid powertrain is used to move the car. A small 1-litre gasoline engine produces 75 horsepower, and is paired with a 68 horsepower electric motor. The Eolab can go 60 km on a single charge on electric power alone, or both engines can work together to achieve a very low fuel consumption.
This Renault will obviously never be put into production, but the manufacturer said that they have learned a lot while building it, and that they have developed more than 100 different techniques and technologies they can now use across their lineup.
