The Renault Nepta was a concept grand tourer presented at the 2006 Mondial de l’Automobile in Paris. Designed by Patrick Le Quément, it was unusual for Renault in being rear-wheel drive with a large petrol engine.
Renault Nepta at a glance
| Shown | Paris Motor Show, 2006 |
|---|---|
| Type | grand tourer concept |
| Design | Patrick Le Quément |
| Drive | rear-wheel drive |
| Engine | 3.5-litre V6, direct injection and twin turbo |
| Power | 414 hp (309 kW) |
| Gearbox | seven-speed automatic with paddle shift |
| Acceleration | 0–62 mph in 4.9 seconds |
Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the Renault Nepta.
History of the Renault Nepta
An unusual Renault
The Nepta was made for the 2006 Mondial de l’Automobile in Paris. Patrick Le Quément designed it, and it stood out in Renault’s range for being rear-wheel drive with a large petrol engine rather than the front-wheel-drive layout that dominated the company’s production cars.
Mechanical specification
The concept used a direct-injection twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 producing 414 hp, coupled to a seven-speed automatic gearbox with paddle shift. Renault quoted acceleration to 62 mph in 4.9 seconds, figures that put the show car in grand-touring territory rather than that of a design-only study.
Design and features
- Rear-wheel drive: a rarity among Renault concepts and production cars.
- Twin-turbo V6: 3.5 litres, direct injection and 414 hp.
- Seven-speed paddle shift: an automatic gearbox operated from the wheel.
- Grand tourer shape: a long-distance coupé rather than a city car study.
Renault Nepta versions
- Nepta (2006): the single concept car.
Other Renault concepts of the period are on the Altica and DeZir pages, and the company’s performance side is covered in Renault Sport. More Renaults are in the Renault collection.
Sources
- Renault Nepta, English Wikipedia: design, layout, engine, performance
