Renault Altica news - Renault shapes up with sporty estate - 2006

Renault is getting ready to show off its vision of a sporty estate at the Geneva motor show later this month.

The Altica is the latest in a long line of bold concept cars from the French firm and features a sweeping front windscreen that flows into the panaromic roof. 

Other bold exterior features include headlights that have lenses covered in thousands of tiny engraved nicks. This does not affect the normal headlight beam, but gives a halo effect to the lights in the daytime.

The Altica is the first car to use Renault's Synthetic Jet system to reduce aerodynamic drag by altering the rate of airflow as it passes over the rear of the car.

The Synthetic Jet system works by sucking or blowing air through minute jets placed in a 2mm slot at the trailing edge of the roof.

Access to the cabin is by large scissor doors. However, the driver's seat is fixed in position and all of the controls adjust to suit the driver's size and shape.

There's space for four passengers in the Altica, while the rear seats fold flat to create a 1,300-litre cargo space.

Taking care of the sporty side, the Altica uses a 177bhp, 2.0-litre turbodiesel that sees the car go from 0-62mph in 7.5 seconds.

The engine is coupled to a six-speed manual gearbox, with fuel economy of 52.8mpg and emissions of 140g/km.