Dezeen Magazine

Renault replaces doors with a sliding roof for Trezor concept car

French car manufacturer Renault has unveiled its latest concept electric car, which features a roof that "opens like the lid of a jewellery box".

Renault Trezor concept car

Unveiled at this year's Mondial De L'Automobile Paris, the Renault Trezor is an all-electric, two-seater car with autonomous driving capabilities.

Its design follows in the footsteps of the company's 2010 DeZir concept and previews features likely to be seen in future Renault models.

Renault Trezor concept car

The car's hallmark is its roof, which lifts up from the bonnet to provide passengers access to the red leather-lined interior.

"The Trezor's one-piece clamshell roof lifts much like the lid of a jewellery box to give access to the interior," said Renault.

"This style of entry is a throwback to the world of classic racing cars, wherein drivers felt as one with their machines."

Renault Trezor concept car

It also has a number of features designed specifically for when the car is in autonomous mode.

These include a steering wheel that extends in width to allow the driver a panoramic view of the dashboard, and exterior lighting that indicates to other drivers that the car is driving itself.

The rectangular steering wheel is inspired by those used in Formula 1 cars. When extended in self-driving mode, it allows access to the dashboard's three screens – two of which are touchscreen displays.

Renault Trezor concept car

Inside the car, red is the predominant colour. Leather is used to upholster low-level seats, and the wooden dashboard was designed in partnership with French cycle manufacturer KEIM.

A luggage compartment is also incorporated into the dashboard, with made-to-measure cases held in place by leather straps.

The car's bodywork is crafted mainly from silver-coloured carbon and features contrasting surface finishes with striking red glazing.

Renault Trezor concept car

At the rear, Renault applied hexagonal panels to give the Trezor a sports-car look. On the bonnet, similar honeycomb-shaped air intakes echo the design of the back of the car.

On the left-hand side of the car, the fuel hatch has been replaced by an analogue gauge that indicates the vehicle's charge level.

Renault Trezor concept car

The Trezor runs on two batteries, each of which has its own cooling system optimised by the air intakes incorporated in the bonnet.

It goes from 0 to 62 miles per hour in less than four seconds and offers a choice of three driving modes: neutral, sport and autonomous.

Renault Trezor concept car

Previous Renault concept vehicles include the Twin'Z, created by British designer Ross Lovegrove, which features colourful LED patterns over the glass roof and down its windshield edges.

Another is the drone-equipped Kwid Concept car, capable of spotting slow-moving traffic in the distance.