2004 Renault's Wind Roadster Concept

Patrick le Quément, head of Renault's design team wanted to emphasize freshness and style. Because of this, there are

While the roadster is small, just 3.87 meters (12.7 feet) long, the unique pear shaped cabin can fit three people. (Photo: Renault)

many individual styling features. Take the headlights for example, which extend a fair ways down the front hood and fenders. Two thin intakes line the front bumper, while a third sits on the hood. For some reason, it reminds me of Fiat's Coupe. The taillights, which are elevated above the profile of the swooping tail drop quickly helping to shorten the overhangs in the process.

That last thought in mind, Renault's Wind is actually quite short, with a total length of just 3.87 meters (12.7 feet). It's hard to believe that two, let along three people could ride inside something so tiny, but clever packaging has resulted in just that. A detail that isn't very noticeable but an important factor to this aspect of the design is the shape of the

By moving the center armrest, the car can quickly go from a two seater to three. (Photo: Renault)

cockpit. Obvious from an aerial view is the egg-shaped cutout with the wider section toward the front of the car and narrow at back, almost pear shaped.

The car can be driven either as a two or three seater. With two people aboard, the cup-like front buckets feature an armrest the links the two together. The space in the rear can be used for additional cargo. If a third person is aboard, however, the arm rest detaches, and is moved back to create the rear seat bottom. None of the seats are adjustable, by the way, much like those in the Volkswagen Concept R. Here, the steering wheel extends and moves towards the driver, as do the controls. The buckets, dashboard and side panels are trimmed in light brown leather and highlighted by chocolate-colored inserts. All passengers receive three-point seatbelts, while the front two seats feature retractable roll bars.