Renault

Plenty of automakers today are looking to the past for inspiration, and Renault is no different. The brand's new E-Space Concept just debuted at the Paris Motor Show, and it's a bit wild. It features six seats, an enormous glass cabin, and a rather unusual dashboard. Better yet, the automaker has already confirmed that while the vehicle itself won't go into production, one of its most interesting features will.

The concept pays direct homage to the original Renault E-Space that launched more than four decades ago. Over the years, Renault has created some truly wild E-Spaces. That includes one with an F1 engine, some crazy body modifications, and a giant spoiler. This new one furthers that trend. Most notably, it ditches combustion power altogether in favor of electric motors and a battery. Of course, the biggest change, at least in terms of immediate impact, is in the cabin.

Renault

Renault calls what we're seeing here the OpenR Panorama display, and before you take to the comments complaining about another massive screen, let's talk through the functionality because it's objectively interesting. Measuring 44.5 inches (1,130 mm) wide and 4.3 inches (110 mm) tall, the curved screen stretches nearly the entire width of the cabin, effectively replacing the traditional dashboard. Unlike most modern infotainment systems, it isn't a touchscreen.

Instead, Renault leverages two smaller, flexible touch displays around the steering column. These can each swivel to change position and allow occupants to adjust how much info appears on the main display. The setup also incorporates a compact steering wheel with a fixed hub and steer-by-wire technology. In theory, it could give cars with this setup the variable ratio behavior we've seen in the Tesla Cybertruck. It sounds weird, but reviewers seem to like it overall.

That said, Renault has not yet committed to putting steer-by-wire into production. What it is saying is that the screen situation is en route to the next-gen Scenic and Rafale. That leaves one question in the middle. Will the swiveling controls around the steering wheel make it to those cars? We simply don't know just yet.

Renault

Renault didn't stop at a cool new screen or steering wheel on this new concept. For example, it features rear-hinged rear doors and no traditional B-pillar to allow for easier access. That's a similar design to the new Genesis GV90, which, importantly, is going into production. Perhaps we're verging on a future of cars that have rear doors that hinge from the back. One can only hope. The seats in the new E-Space Concept are interesting as well.

The second-row chairs can swivel 180 degrees to face the third row. Hmmm... the GV90's front seats do that same trick. What the GV90 can't do is fold those second-row seats into a table, which is one more way this Renault concept stands out. The automaker has even developed a sliding center console that can accommodate a refrigerator, air purifier, video game controllers, and a Connect 4 game.

Then, there are the material choices in here. Renault leverages everything from thick wool carpet, which is 1.2 inches (30 mm) thick, to red upholstery and dyed straw. Again, for all of these interesting choices, Renault hasn't committed to producing any of them aside from the main screen. Hopefully, that sets a path to production for more of these unique design decisions.