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The Renault Be Bop is a concept car first
shown at the 2003 Frankfurt motor show. In fact there are two
Be Bop concept cars that, rather confusingly, are both called Be
Bop. With over half their bodywork parts in common, Both Be Bops
nevertheless have very different personalities, one targeting
the sporty MPV market and the other targeting the SUV market.
The Be Bop instantly seduces with its modern, rounded forms.
From the side, these four-metre
long cars stand out for their vast glazed surface.
Reminiscent of a water droplet, their style suggests
movement and aerodynamic sleekness. “The water
droplet is a superb symbol of aerodynamic purity,”
points out Michel Jardin, Director of Concept Car
Design. Thanks to their softly rounded form, Be Bop provides a
solution to the problem of MPVs,
whose lack of aerodynamics has a negative impact on
fuel consumption. The streamlined floorpan also
helps boost aerodynamic efficiency.
Be Bop is one single flowing line. The
shape of the front and rear wings communicates a
friendly but also powerful air. Their curve is extended
at the front by a panoramic windscreen that disappears
into the immense glazed roof before dropping
down to form the V-shaped rear window, resulting in
the signature Renault rear end.
Squarely positioned on its generous 21-inch PAX
System wheels, One Be Bop is a sport utility vehicle
intended as much for city life as off-road driving. With
its 210mm ground clearance and four-wheel drive,
few obstacles stand in its way. Its “blue-tinted steel”
exterior includes specific elements that show this
SUV means business: at the front, the radiator grille
includes a more mat protection zone while the high performance
lamps incorporate blue-tinted diodes
for a high-tech aura. The rear lamps are shaped like
flashes of light, while the double exhaust pipe fit
neatly either side of the tailgate.
Another of Be Bop’s original features is the tailgate’s
functional and aesthetic opening system. First, an
electrical motor lifts the rear window above the roof.
The lower part opens downwards while a shelf automatically
slides forward to house luggage and
parcels.
The second Be Bop is a sporting compact MPV whose bright yellow
bodywork is characteristic of Renault Sport vehicles.
All the front-end design features are specific,
with flowing lines that prove sporty handling and
soft forms can go together. The radiator grille adds
to its sporty personality, as does its 225bhp 2-litre
turbocharged engine.
The two rear-hinged doors open to reveal an original
and elegant interior. The eye is drawn to a central arch
to which the seats are anchored. This frees up floor
space to create an unprecedented sensation of spaciousness.
This arch also forms a link between front
and rear occupants to reinforce the interior’s friendly
spirit. Two side arches stretch the length of the doors
for passengers to rest their arms. The polished aluminium
gearlever rises over the central arch, which
houses all the other main controls such as heating,
air-conditioning, navigation and music. A chrome finish clock
sits at the end of the arch in full view of both passenger and
driver
Both Be Bops provide ample stowage space in
the central tunnel, dashboard and doors.
The rear seats of the Be Bop SUV can disappear under
the front seats with the flick of a switch inside the
door. And an articulated arm folds the back of the rear
seat onto the cushion in a matter of seconds. Cushion
and back then slide under the front seat to completely
free up the rear space.
Be Bop takes the Touch Design concept
introduced with the Talisman concept car then further
explored with Megane II, Espace IV and Scenic II
to its highest level of expression so far. Like the steering
wheel with its hand print motif, all the controls
suggest their function and invite contact.
Be Bop and Be Bop are brimming with sophisticated
but always discreet technology. Key information
(speed, rev counter, etc.) is displayed on two superimposed
LCD screens and in 3D for greater clarity. The
rev counter is represented by coloured circles.
Auxiliary information such as navigation, music, communication
and Renault services is grouped together
on a separate screen at dashboard height, and
which can be folded down and can face the driver or
passenger.
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