The first Operating Prototype achieved over 230 Miles per gallon!

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The instantly recognizable change for the Pivo 2 is the color scheme (the white and grey of the 2005 concept has been replaced with blue and silver), but looking more closely, the body design has been revised as well. The individual fenders for each wheel and a more bulbous cabin lend the Pivo 2 more than a passing resemblance to a four-tentacled cephalopod for better or worse. Mechanically, much of the original concept is still present: The rotating cabin eliminates the need for a reverse gear (forward is wherever the driver faces) and power still comes from an electric motor and lithium-ion batteries. A key new feature are integrated wheel motors that enable each wheel to rotate up to 90 degrees -- giving the Pivo 2 the ability to drive sideways in addition to forward.

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Also new is Pivo 2's Robotic Agent electronic driving aid. Able to converse with the driver in both Japanese and English, Robotic Agent has a voice-activated navigation and information system, allowing the driver to get information about both the vehicle and its surroundings. Robotic Agent is physically present in the Pivo 2, molded out of what appears to be plastic and located on the front console. It looks like a starry-eyed robot-monkey head. Or an alien. Or both. We're not sure exactly which one yet.

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The original Nissan Pivo from the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show

So to sum up, we've got some sort of electric octopus car with a robot-monkey-alien passenger built in? Well, that seems to be pretty accurate. Other cool features include the single door that comprises the entire front section of the car -- much like the classic BMW Isetta -- and the McLaren F1-style three-passenger seating with central driving position.

To Nissan's credit, this electric city car concept seems to make an honest jab at incorporating some pretty far-out features that are inspired by real-world usability. That's not something that can be said for many concepts, and that's why we're looking forward to seeing the car in the flesh -- er, membrane? -- at this year's Tokyo Motor Show.

Renault Egeus Concept SUV
In 9 of September 2005 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Renault was presenting the new Egeus concept car which is a 4WD Sport Utility Vehicle.
The car show power and agility because has 250hp 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine combined with a fully automatic 4WD 4WD transmission that regulates traction on the four wheels from 0 to 100% according to grip. This, combined with a seven-speed flick-shift automatic transmission, ensures a high level of driving comfort while substantially reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

The Egeus has a streamlined shape much like a modern coupe. The front end is deliberately unornamented. By incorporating the air inlets under the headlamps, Renault designers have no need for a grille which they say is "too brash for such a pure design".

The cabin is warm and welcoming thanks to the glazed roof and a central strip with two transparent sections. Inside, four independent seats are surrounded by a subtle blend of colors and each feature pixelated image of a setting sun.
As an example of Renualts forward thinking, the side door handles are flush-fitting and each has an optical sensor to detects an approaching. Once close, the handle is pushed out a few centimeters, making it easy to grasp.

At the top of the dashboard, a centrally positioned interactive screen relays information to passengers, in particular a detailed trajectory map.
The intuitive controls are true to the principles of Touch Design. The central rotary speed selector benefits from simple ergonomic styling. The ideally-located multimedia control lever makes for easy handling while the steering wheel-mounted controls mirror the natural curve of the hand.
End of Renault Egeus Concept SUV review.

With Renault's lineup primarily comprised of passenger cars, space vans, and commercial-type vehicles such as the Kangoo, there is plenty of space to slot in a crossover or small SUV, and this handsome Egeus concept marks Renault's most recent exploration of that theme. The design is a careful and subtle evolution of current Renault design; for example, although the rear profile is steeply raked--like that of a coupe--Renault's characteristic upright rear glass is respected with a vertical line extending upwards from the forward edge of the taillight, and the shoulders formed on either side of the rear window draw their inspiration from the rear quarter-panels of the Clio and Mgane hatchbacks. The heads-on and rear views are visually interesting, but the front vaguely resembles recent production Volkswagens and the rear end looks positively Volvo-esque. Even the profile seems swiped from the Infiniti FX35/45, a corporate sibling.

The rear hatch features a split-level opening, with the top swinging skyward and the bottom--in an idea lifted from the Toyota FT-SX concept from this year's Detroit auto show--is a motorized tray that slides out to make loading cargo easier. Unlike the Toyota, however, the tray is also motorized for height-adjustment, so as to separate cargo above and below should the need arise. Other clever touches include flush-fitting door handles that extend when a hand nears and seats that pivot and lower upon opening a door. Further details, though, such as the huge 22-inch wheels (de rigueur for any concept car) and the suicide rear doors, continue to fill us with the feeling that we've seen it all before.

The Egeus gets its motivation from a 250-hp, 3.0-liter V-6 diesel engine mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission. A fully automatic four-wheel-drive system allows the Egeus to traverse multiple terrains--were it not an obscenely expensive, hands-off, don't-even-breath-on-it show car. That system could see some rough-and-tumble action soon, however: the Egeus is rumored to become reality sometime in 2007. But don't hold your breath for the Egeus--or any Renault--in the U.S. anytime soon.

Renault has fitted the Egeus with massive 22-inch wheels, this, combined with high ground clearance give the concept car a solid planted stance.

The Egeus concept's 'Cythère Blue' body colour, 'manta ray' dashboard and the blue-tinted hues of the cabin are intended to suggest an underwater world, while the full length centre console, clad in blue-tinted leather, incorporates three generous stowage compartments in addition to the two front-door bins.

The Egeus' silver exterior side door handles are flush-fitting so as not to detract from the streamlined sides. An optical sensor detects an approaching hand and pushes the handle out a few centimetres, facilitating use.

Inside, the Egeus features four fully independent seats capable of swiveling outward and lowering to ease entry. A GPS navigation system calculates the vehicles recommended speed, this information is displayed in the speedometer dial, with its analogue and digital displays. LED diodes around the dial flash to alert drivers if they go over this speed. In off-road mode, an indicator on the instrument panel is automatically activated to show the Egeus' attitude to the horizontal and alert the driver if there is any risk of roll-over.