Renault has revealed its latest concept car, developed on the new CMF-EV modular platform and heralding a new family of electric models.

The Renault Morphoz concept

Believed to preview the brand’s forthcoming electric SUV, the crossover Morphoz concept spans saloon, SUV and coupé styling and showcases the modular capacity of the CMF-EV platform, which can take different sizes of battery and be configured to extend onboard space.

In the case of the concept, which was due to be unveiled at the now-cancelled Geneva Motor Show, its 4,400mm length for ‘City’ model can be extended to a longer 4,800mm for ‘Travel’ mode, with extra batteries added to the 40kWh pack to give a total of 90kWh. This extends range from 249 miles (some 400km) to 435 (700km), to accommodate the added capacity needed for long-distance journeys.

The conversion to Travel mode would be undertaken at a pre-determined battery station where the extra batteries would be installed in just a few seconds. These would then be dropped off on the return journey and the vehicle returned to City configuration. The batteries would then be recharged and used to power infrastructures, buildings and services, providing renewable energy and helping to support the grid while also negating the need for extra batteries to be produced.

As well as highlighting Renault’s plans for battery sharing, the new concept also shows the carmaker’s plans for vehicle sharing and is set up to aid a ‘neighbourhood ecosystem’, with no keys or starting cards, just the use of smartphones as digital keys, helped by an unlocking code which lets the driver access and use the vehicle for a pre-determined period. It also features Level 3 semi-autonomous driving.

The futuristic cabin uses a steering wheel, with a 10.2-inch screen at its centre displaying the main driving and safety information, allowing the surround dashboard to be free of an instrument panel and multimedia screens, while the front passenger seat can swivel to face the back to enable passenger interaction. The rear seats also move backwards to give more space in Travel mode while the screen on the centre console turns into a table.