Initiale Paris (France, 2014)

The Initiale Paris is the sixth concept by Renault's chief designer Laurens van den Acker in a cycle that is meant to show the future of Renault design. Van den Acker says that the Intiale Paris previews the sixth generation Espace and shows the company’s desire to move more into the premium car segment.

The Initiale Paris is meant to show the “Wisdom” in Renault design according to van den Acker. It is meant to be a car that people can travel in comfortably in high class. It is meant to express the vitality of a sedan in its grill and muscular shoulders, the character of an SUV with its fenders and 22in wheels and the roominess of a minivan with its high roof.

It features a wide grill that goes directly to the headlights. It has large side windows to make it airy, and the glass goes all the way from the front to the rear. The shape of the rear glass is supposed to look like an aircraft tail fin. A trim element is repeating diamond shapes inside and outside. When repeated, it looks like a beehive. The same motif is repeated on portions of the interior. The roof is made from a combination of aluminum and plexiglass that depicts a map of Paris. 

The interior is inspired by aeronautics and outdoor furniture. It uses aluminum, walnut wood and chrome. The doors are rear-hinged and feature a motorized running board that extends when opening. The seats are attached directly to the center tunnel and appear to be floating in the interior.

Van den Acker’s six concepts are the DeZir for “Love,” Captur for “Explore,”  for “Family,” Frendzy for “Work,” Twin’Z and Twin Run for “Play,” and the new Intiale Paris for “Wisdom.”