Concept Cars: Renault Emblème

Renault calls it a “laboratory on wheels,” and after digging into the details, it’s easy to see why. The new Renault Emblème isn’t just another green concept with lofty intentions – it’s a real rolling prototype vehicle demonstrating what the low-emission family car of the future could look like.

With a lifecycle emission of just 5 tons of CO₂e – measured over 200,000 km and 15 years – the Emblème marks a major leap in Renault’s climate ambitions. That’s nearly a 90% reduction compared to a 2019 Captur with a gasoline engine.

Designed to be green from blueprint to scrapyard

The Emblème is the work of Renault’s subsidiary Ampere, which specializes in electric mobility. The goal has been to rethink the entire production chain – from the choice of raw materials and components, to the car’s use, maintenance, and especially recyclability.

Every single component in the Emblème has been developed or selected with weight, energy use, and recyclability in mind. For example:

• The doors are made of aluminum from circular production, reducing energy consumption by up to 95% compared to traditional manufacturing.
• The Michelin tires reduce rolling resistance by 20% and are designed to improve wear resistance by 55%, according to the manufacturer’s own LCA calculations.
• Seat upholstery and consoles are made from, among other things, pineapple fibers and flax grown in France – yes, flax.
• The entire interior is assembled without glue or welding, making it easier to disassemble and recycle.
• Even the windshield wiper system has been redesigned by Valeo using 3D-printed parts and low-energy components, cutting emissions by 60%.

All in all, 50% of the car’s materials are recycled, and nearly 100% are recyclable.

Electric and hydrogen: Dual powertrain for double the flexibility

Beneath the floor of the 4.8-meter-long shooting brake lies a dual-energy powertrain combining electricity and hydrogen for maximum range and ultra-low CO₂-per-kilometer performance.

The hydrogen tank is made of low-energy carbon fiber, and the battery – developed in collaboration with Verkor – delivers up to 72% lower emissions than comparable EV batteries.

This isn’t experimentation for its own sake. The Emblème has been developed to be functional, comfortable, and family-oriented, with space, tech, and safety at its core – without compromising CO₂ performance or usability.

A car built together

The project was brought to life in close collaboration with more than 20 specialized industry partners, each contributing materials, technologies, and know-how to their part of the vehicle. Renault refers to it as “a horizontal, collective approach without barriers.”

And it shows: From door handles made from a single material with 65% recycled content, to headlights from Forvia Hella that use fresnel lenses and bio-sourced plastics – everything has been scrutinized through a CO₂ lens.

Is the Emblème the future?

Yes and no. Renault emphasizes that the Emblème is not a production model, but a demonstrator – a test platform for solutions that will gradually be integrated into future production vehicles from the brand.

Our team may have used AI to assist in the creation of this content, which has been reviewed by our editors.