Brazil: Renault Crossover Concept

SÃO PAULO, Brazil — At the 2008 Brazil Auto Show, Renault will unveil its first concept car that has been completely developed at its new design center in this important city for the region's auto industry. The car is a crossover with a 2+2 configuration, and a few teaser images have been released — but no further information — ahead of the show, which starts October 30.The concept shares design aspects and other features from the Sandero Stepway, the sporty version of the hatch released last month. The first regular Sandero has been on sale for nearly a year and is a hit for the French automaker here.Equipped with a hardtop, the concept can become a convertible or a compact pickup truck. This is in keeping with local tastes; for decades, the Brazil market has had many compact two-seat pickup trucks derived from small hatchbacks. According to Renault, the concept is fully operational and boasts technical innovations new to the local market. It 'is not only a show car,' the automaker promises. The concept will have the same 1.6-liter 16-valve bifuel engine as the Sandero and other Brazil-market Renaults.Renault has released two teasers of its new concept. The first shows only a black tinted wheel and a mud guard and also plastic details. A part of a newly styled seat is also visible. The second teaser presents details from the fender and the headlights, including a foglight. There appears to be an off-roader aesthetic at work that lines up with the looks of the Stepway.Inside Line says: We'll know the full picture in a week. — Rodolfo Siqueira, Correspondent