27 Renault Cars That Never Made It To Production
Back in college, a buddy of mine swore he saw a mid-engine Renault prototype parked behind a design school.
It had gullwing doors, a wide stance, and looked like something out of a sci-fi flick. We spent the afternoon trying to find it again – no luck.
Turns out, Renault’s history is full of cars like that: wild, imaginative machines that got all the way to concept form before vanishing into the shadows.
It’s like flipping through a dream garage that never quite materialized.
1. Renault Trezor
Jaws dropped when the scarlet-bodied Trezor concept glided onto the stage at the 2016 Paris Motor Show.
This electric grand tourer didn’t just open doors – its entire clamshell roof lifted upward like an alien spacecraft revealing its cockpit.
Inside, drivers found red wooden dashboard elements and a massive OLED touchscreen.
The Trezor’s Formula E-derived electric powertrain could rocket from 0-62mph in under four seconds while its sleek, impossibly low silhouette cut through air with dolphin-like grace.
2. Renault DeZir
Unveiled in 2010, the DeZir (pronounced “desire”) lived up to its seductive name.
Painted in passionate crimson, this electric sports coupe featured asymmetrical butterfly doors – the driver’s side opened conventionally while the passenger door swung upward and backward.
French designers crafted the interior as a cocoon of white leather that contrasted dramatically with the fiery exterior.
Behind its amorous styling lay a serious electric motor producing 150 horsepower and a range of 100 miles – impressive tech for 2010.
3. Renault Morphoz
Forget everything you knew about fixed car dimensions! The 2020 Morphoz concept literally stretched itself longer for highway driving.
This transformer-like SUV extended its wheelbase by 16 inches at the push of a button, morphing from city-friendly runabout to spacious grand tourer.
During extension, the front grille rotated to improve aerodynamics while extra battery packs slid into newly created floor space.
Yellow accents highlighted the Morphoz’s flexible joints against its sleek gray body. Sadly, this shape-shifting wonder remains in Renault’s concept garage.
4. Renault Egeus
Years before crossover SUVs dominated roads, Renault’s 2005 Egeus concept predicted the premium SUV boom.
Sporting a panoramic glass roof and four individual bucket seats, this copper-colored beauty blurred lines between sedan comfort and SUV capability.
Butterfly doors revealed an interior dominated by a flowing center console that resembled liquid metal. Touch-sensitive controls eliminated traditional buttons while LED lighting created ambient moods.
The Egeus’s styling influenced later production models like the Koleos, but its most distinctive features never reached showrooms.
5. Renault Ondelios
Resembling a spaceship more than a car, the 2008 Ondelios concept targeted eco-conscious executives.
Six passengers entered through massive dragonfly-wing doors that pivoted from the roof, stepping onto a completely flat floor crafted from recycled materials.
Powered by a hybrid diesel-electric system, this aerodynamic fastback promised luxurious 700-mile journeys while sipping fuel.
The Ondelios’s polycarbonate windows changed opacity on demand, eliminating the need for sunshades.
Its name – derived from French words for wave and motion – perfectly captured its flowing, organic design language.
6. Renault Initiale Paris
Butter-soft leather from Bridge of Weir (suppliers to Aston Martin) covered nearly every surface of the 2013 Initiale Paris concept.
This six-seat crossover reimagined French luxury with floating dashboard elements and a cabin filled with custom-made Bose speakers that created individual sound zones for each passenger.
Wool carpets, silk trim accents, and hand-finished walnut inlays celebrated traditional craftsmanship.
Under its elegant hood lurked a whisper-quiet diesel V6. While the Initiale Paris never reached production, its name lives on as Renault’s premium trim level on vehicles like the Espace.
7. Renault Nepta
Measuring nearly 16 feet long, the magnificent Nepta convertible concept from 2006 featured some of the most dramatic doors ever designed.
The entire sides of the car – from front wheel to rear – pivoted upward like massive wings, exposing both rows of seating in one theatrical gesture.
Beneath its long hood, a twin-turbo V6 produced 420 horsepower, channeled through a seven-speed automatic transmission.
The dashboard incorporated a mechanical Jaeger-LeCoultre clock worth more than some entire cars. Ocean-inspired blue leather upholstery completed this nautical-themed masterpiece.
8. Renault Altica
Half sports car, half station wagon, the 2006 Altica concept defied categorization.
Its most eye-catching feature? Scissor doors that pivoted vertically from the A-pillars, creating a dramatic entrance for front passengers.
Aerodynamic wizardry included “Airflow Management” vanes on the rear pillars that reduced drag by 15%. The interior featured transparent honeycomb seats that appeared to float above the floor.
Powered by a frugal 2.0-liter diesel engine producing 177 horsepower, the Altica promised sports car thrills with practical fuel economy.
9. Renault Racoon
Possibly Renault’s wildest concept ever, the 1992 Racoon could literally drive underwater!
This amphibious vehicle featured spherical wheels that transformed into propellers when submerged, while the cabin automatically pressurized to keep occupants dry.
Three passengers sat in a triangular formation with the driver centered ahead of two rear passengers.
The Racoon’s pneumatic suspension could raise ground clearance from 6 to 13 inches when traversing rough terrain.
GPS navigation (revolutionary for 1992) guided adventurers whether on land or underwater.
10. Renault Fluence Concept
Long before the production Fluence sedan, Renault unveiled this voluptuous 2004 concept coupe that looked straight from science fiction.
Enormous 22-inch wheels housed within bulging fenders gave it a muscular stance, while LED lighting created a distinctive signature decades before LEDs became commonplace.
The cabin featured four individual seats separated by a flowing center console. Touch-sensitive controls eliminated physical buttons throughout the minimalist interior.
Though the Fluence name eventually adorned a conventional sedan, this striking coupe’s design elements influenced later Renault models like the Laguna Coupe.
11. Renault Koleos Concept (2000)
Years before SUVs dominated sales charts, Renault’s original Koleos concept previewed a rugged future.
Sporting removable roof panels and a reconfigurable interior, this 2000 concept blended off-road capability with urban practicality.
Clever touches included a dashboard-mounted tablet computer that could be removed for navigation outside the vehicle.
The rear tailgate split horizontally and vertically, creating multiple opening configurations for awkward cargo.
While a production Koleos eventually arrived in 2007, it shared little beyond its name with this innovative concept.
12. Renault Laguna Coupe Concept
Champagne-colored and impossibly elegant, the 2007 Laguna Coupe Concept previewed Renault’s return to the premium coupe market.
Unlike many concepts that never reach production, this stunning fastback actually influenced a remarkably similar production model just one year later.
The concept featured four frameless doors that opened without visible handles – sensors detected the driver’s approach.
Inside, hand-stitched leather and brushed aluminum created a cockpit that rivaled German luxury brands. A panoramic glass roof extended from windshield to rear window, flooding the cabin with natural light.
13. Renault Zo Concept
Before the production ZOE electric car, Renault created this adorable 1998 Zo concept – a two-seat urban pod perfect for congested cities.
Standing just 4.5 feet tall, the rounded microcar featured a single gullwing door that comprised the entire side and roof!
Power came from a tiny 25-horsepower electric motor, sufficient for urban commuting. The interior contained almost no straight lines, with organic, flowing forms dominating the dashboard and seats.
Though too radical for production, the Zo’s DNA eventually influenced Renault’s successful Twizy quadricycle years later.
14. Renault EZ-GO
Resembling a glass lounge on wheels, the 2018 EZ-GO concept reimagined urban mobility as a social experience.
This level 4 autonomous vehicle featured a massive front-opening door that created a ramp for easy access – perfect for wheelchairs, strollers, or luggage.
Inside, U-shaped seating encouraged conversation among up to six passengers. No steering wheel or dashboard interrupted the airy, minimalist interior.
Designed for shared mobility services, the EZ-GO concept promised affordable urban transportation at just above public transit prices but with greater convenience and comfort.
15. Renault EZ-ULTIMO
Marble floors. Walnut panels. Leather armchairs. The 2018 EZ-ULTIMO concept wasn’t just transportation – it was a rolling five-star hotel suite.
This autonomous luxury pod targeted premium mobility services for special occasions or high-end travel experiences.
The faceted exterior featured one-way glass panels that allowed passengers to see out while maintaining privacy. Entry came via a spectacular side-opening clamshell door revealing the opulent interior.
Renault envisioned this vehicle as a premium service offered by luxury hotels, airlines, or tourism companies – autonomous transportation for clients who normally travel by limousine or private jet.
16. Renault EZ-PRO
The future of package delivery looked radically different in Renault’s 2018 EZ-PRO concept.
This autonomous delivery system consisted of a lead pod with a human “concierge” followed by a platoon of driverless “robo-pods” – all electronically linked together.
Each modular pod could separate to make individual deliveries before rejoining the convoy. The human concierge handled complex deliveries while monitoring the automated fleet.
Customizable pods could be configured for everything from parcel delivery to mobile food service, with retailers able to brand each pod with their own colors and logos.
17. Renault Argos
Channeling vintage racing cars, the 1994 Argos concept stripped driving back to its bare essentials.
This roofless, doorless roadster featured exposed wheels, minimal bodywork, and not even a windshield – just small wind deflectors ahead of the driver and passenger.
Weighing just 1,540 pounds thanks to its aluminum chassis, the Argos screamed to 60mph in under 5 seconds from its mid-mounted 3.0-liter V6.
The dashboard contained only essential gauges while waterproof leather covered the minimalist seats.
Though never produced, the Argos captured the pure essence of driving pleasure that would later influence the Renault Sport Spider.
18. Renault Nervasport Concept
Looking like something from a 1930s sci-fi movie, the streamlined 1934 Nervasport concept set speed records that stood for decades.
Its teardrop shape was revolutionary, featuring a fully enclosed body when most cars still had separate fenders and exposed spare tires.
During testing on the Montlhéry circuit near Paris, this aerodynamic marvel averaged 104.5 mph over 48 hours – shattering previous endurance records.
Though never available to the public, the Nervasport’s influence on automotive design was immense.
Its wind-tunnel-tested shape pioneered aerodynamic principles that wouldn’t become mainstream until decades later.
19. Renault Kwid Concept
The 2014 Kwid concept looked futuristic enough with its chunky off-road styling, but its most revolutionary feature was hiding on the roof.
This compact SUV came equipped with its own quadcopter drone that could launch from a special roof compartment!
Controlled via tablet from inside the vehicle, the “Flying Companion” drone could scout traffic conditions ahead or capture aerial photos of landscapes.
The interior featured asymmetrical seating with the driver centrally positioned like a helicopter pilot. While a production Kwid eventually launched in India, sadly it came without the drone technology.
20. Renault Frendzy
Schizophrenic by design, the 2011 Frendzy concept had two completely different personalities. Its passenger side featured a conventional door and warm, family-friendly interior materials in bright colors.
The driver’s side, however, sported a sliding door, blackboard exterior surface for writing messages, and integrated digital display for business logos.
This split personality extended to the rear, where a fabric roll-top could open to accommodate tall cargo. The tailgate contained a 37-inch digital screen for advertising or entertainment.
Renault designed the Frendzy to transform from weekday commercial vehicle to weekend family transport – a truly dual-purpose concept.
21. Renault Twin’Run
Flame-spitting madness in a tiny package! The 2013 Twin’Run concept packed a mid-mounted 320-horsepower V6 engine from the Mégane Trophy racer into a city-car-sized body.
This spiritual successor to the legendary R5 Turbo featured a full tubular chassis and racing bucket seats with five-point harnesses.
Red LEDs across the grille created an intimidating light signature, while rally-inspired bodywork housed massive cooling vents.
During its Monaco debut, F1 champion Sebastian Vettel thrashed the Twin’Run through the famous Grand Prix circuit.
Though too extreme for production, this concept influenced the eventual Twingo RS production model.
22. Renault Twin’Z
Created in collaboration with British designer Ross Lovegrove, the 2013 Twin’Z concept reimagined the city car as a piece of moving art.
Blue LED patterns illuminated the transparent roof, grille, and wheels, creating an otherworldly glow against the matte blue exterior.
Suicide doors without a B-pillar revealed a minimalist interior with rope-like seating structures that appeared to float above the floor.
The dashboard was replaced entirely by a tablet device. Powered by a rear-mounted electric motor, this artistic concept directly influenced the production Twingo’s rear-engine layout and proportions.
23. Renault Symbioz
More than just a car, the 2017 Symbioz concept was designed as an actual extension of your living space.
This autonomous electric vehicle could physically drive into your house, where its transparent roof doubled as a ceiling light and its seats could rotate to become additional living room furniture!
When parked inside, the Symbioz could share its battery power with the home’s electrical system or draw power from the house to charge.
The interior featured living room-like materials including copper accents, marble surfaces, and fabric upholstery.
Renault even built a demonstration home to showcase this revolutionary home-car integration concept.
24. Renault Project 900
Looking utterly conventional from the outside, the 1959 Project 900 hid a revolutionary secret: its entire drivetrain was mounted backward!
This family sedan placed the engine behind the rear axle with the transmission ahead of it – creating the world’s first mid-engine production car design.
Four adults could ride comfortably while luggage fit in both front and rear trunks. The radical layout improved weight distribution and handling dramatically compared to conventional cars of the era.
Though it reached prototype stage, Renault ultimately abandoned Project 900 due to cost concerns, leaving Porsche’s 911 to popularize rear-engine designs instead.
25. Renault Reinastella Concept
Reimagining Renault’s 1930s luxury flagship for the modern era, the 1992 Reinastella concept blended vintage glamour with contemporary technology.
Massive suicide doors revealed an interior worthy of a mansion, with burled wood, champagne coolers, and seats that swiveled to create a mobile living room.
The exterior combined classic proportions with modern lighting and glass technology. A CD-ROM navigation system (cutting-edge for 1992) guided drivers while maintaining the period aesthetic.
This concept celebrated Renault’s heritage while demonstrating that luxury and technology could coexist with traditional craftsmanship – a philosophy that influenced later premium Renault models.
26. Renault Sand’Up
Beach buggy meets pickup truck in the quirky 2008 Sand’Up concept.
Based on the humble Sandero hatchback, this shape-shifting vehicle transformed from closed coupe to open-air buggy to pickup truck depending on its owner’s needs.
The electric canvas roof could retract fully for sun-worshipping or partially to create a pickup bed for hauling surfboards and beach gear.
Washable neoprene seat covers and marine-grade deck flooring made post-beach cleanup a breeze.
Though never produced, the Sand’Up demonstrated Renault’s creative approach to multi-purpose vehicles for active lifestyles.
27. Renault Fiftie
Created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic 4CV, the 1996 Fiftie concept reimagined Renault’s post-war people’s car with modern flair.
Round headlights and bulbous fenders echoed the original, but its aluminum body, panoramic glass roof, and digital instruments brought the design firmly into the future.
The minimalist interior featured just two seats plus a rear bench that folded completely flat into the floor. A 1.2-liter engine mounted at the rear drove the back wheels – maintaining the original 4CV’s layout.
Though purely a design exercise, the Fiftie demonstrated how heritage could inspire contemporary designs without resorting to simple retro copies.