Renault has shown off its new Emblème, a working prototype that is far from your typical concept car. Developed by Ampere, it’s a sleek, high-tech shooting brake designed to make you guess again as to what family cars can look like in a low-carbon world.
The Emblème cuts its lifecycle emissions by a huge 90% compared to a 2019 petrol Captur and the entire design process has been completed with carbon reduction in mind.
Designed for Net Zero
The Emblème was engineered using life cycle analysis, a method that calculates the full environmental impact of a vehicle, including its raw materials, production, use, and recycling. The Emblème produces 5 tonnes of CO2 equivalent over the car’s life. Independent experts at IFPEN have also signed off on the figures to validate their accuracy.
More than 20 partners contributed to the build, supplying everything from recycled aluminium to lightweight thermal insulation and pineapple-based seat fabrics. The final product is over 50% recycled, over 90% recyclable, and weighs 1,800kg.
Clever Bits
At 4.8 metres long and with a 2.9-metre wheelbase, the Emblème has estate practicality with coupé styling. It has hidden door handles, wheel-arch-mounted cameras, and an active rear diffuser that contribute to a 0.25 drag coefficient. This was perfected with digital wind tunnel work by the BWT Alpine F1 Team.
Technology
Inside, a 1.2-metre openR panorama screen takes up a lot of the dashboard, and delivers an 8K multimedia experience. The Shy Tech interior hides buttons beneath fabrics, while words like “voyage” and “ouverture d’esprit” subtly reinforce the vehicle’s philosophical roots.
There’s seating for five, including a reclining rear bench and a middle seat with a panoramic view. The bespoke audio system, created with Jean-Michel Jarre, uses 14 speakers.
Dual-Energy
The Emblème’s powertrain combines a 40kWh NMC battery with a 30kW hydrogen fuel cell. This offers up to 1,000km of range with zero tailpipe emissions. Most daily journeys rely on the electric battery, charged via regenerative braking, solar panels, or conventional outlets.
Built on the AmpR Medium platform, it’s rear-wheel driven and designed to perform without compromising comfort or usability.
A Model for Sustainable Production
Production is local and efficient. The electric motor and battery are built in France, and the manufacturing process is powered by low-carbon energy sources.
More than half of the Emblème’s materials are recycled, and the rest can be reused.
Is This the Future of Family Cars?
The Emblème could be a strong indicator of the future of family cars. It will be interesting to see what happens with it and whether we ever see it out on the road.
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