Altica stands out as a dynamic vision of the estate, combining the practicality of the latter, the sports appeal of a coupŠ¹ and a high standard of travellingFlowing, sporty lines
The panoramic windscreen and rear window underline the car’s fluid aerodynamics. The two-tone paintwork accentuates the side design and also asserts Altica’s graphic identity. The car’s overall stance – low-slung lines, long bonnet, prominent wings – and proportions express true sports car dynamics. Comprised of a mosaic of transparent panes, the rear quarter lights suggest forward movement.
Altica’s interior mirrors its sporty, dynamic exterior design. The suspended drive station is held in place by four profiled rods that hint at the world of Formula 1.
The transparent roof and panoramic windscreen erase the boundary between the interior and the outside world and also ensure a brightly-lit cabin. The mosaic design of the rear quarter lights allows sunlight to filter into the cabin much like it does through stained glass windows and gives the interior a more welcoming feel. The layout and angling of the panes ensure good three-quarter rear visibility for the driver which is indispensable when parking.
The headlamps feature four different modes – daytime running lights (DRL), sidelights, dipped beam and main beam – and function using rows of diodes. They also produce a halo effect when the DRL mode is selected. This is achieved in two ways. First of all, each polycarbonate headlamp module cover is speckled with thousands of small, micro-engraved nicks.
Invisible to the naked eye, these nicks have no effect on the beams and permit light to pass unhindered. In the daytime running mode, however, the surface of the module cover is illuminated from the edge. The light is accordingly trapped inside the mass and spreads out like a fluid over the entire surface to produce an original and effective halo effect for the DRL and sidelight functions.
An estate with the accent on practicality
Altica’s sports pedigree is reinforced by its scissor doors, the form of which ensures easy access to this low vehicle. The generous interior volumes of Altica provide a very high standard of travelling comfort despite the car’s sporty characteristics. Each of the four individual seats boasts outstanding comfort.
Instead of the seats, which are fixed, it is the drive station and pedal assembly that adjust to match the driver’s physique thanks to a motorized mechanism.
The height-adjustable centre armrest deploys automatically as the driver sits down.
The vertical positioning of the dashboard takes its inspiration from the world of aeronautics and permits the driver to feel at one with the car.
The centrally-positioned dial features two display modes: “comfort” and “sport”. The “comfort” mode
indicates the car’s speed in the centre of the display while the perimeter shows the legal speed limits
which turn red if exceeded. In the “sport” mode, the speed continues to be displayed in the middle of the dial but the perimeter becomes a digital rev counter and turbo pressure indicator. The graphics of the high-resolution screen provide a distinctly human touch to this high-tech display which itself suggests watchmaker-like precision and sophistication.
Driving pleasure, power and control
Altica is a dynamic sporty estate that combines driving pleasure with a sensation of power and control. With its long bonnet, sports dimensions (length: 4.27m; width: 1.83m) and very low centre of gravity, Altica offers remarkable performance. Altica’s new 177hp 2.0 dCi particulate filterequipped diesel engine takes the car from a standing start to 100kph in just 7.5s.
Coupled with a six-speed Altica features a number of clever storage spaces, including the shell-like glove box, concertina-style storage compartment in the armrests and a tray situated underneath the floor at the rear. The rear seat backs can be folded into the flat floor which is equipped with straps that permit heavy or bulky loads to be held secure. This layout transforms Altica into a two-seater sports coupŠ¹ with a vast 1,300-litre boot, while the boot lid provides very easy access and an extremely low loading sill. Altica’s low fuel consumption also stems from its exceptional aerodynamics.
Located at the extremity of the roof at the point where the vehicle and the passing air flow separate, a discreet mechanical system generates jets of air which are alternately blown and sucked through a 2mm wide slit. Known as “Synthetic Jet”, the system actively controls the separation of the air flow
according to the vehicle’s speed. This innovative technique, which reduces drag and controls the structure of the air flow, is a registered Renault patent and reduces the car’s Cd at 130kph by 15% for an energy consumption of just 10 Watts. gearbox, this powerplant – which boasts maximum torque of 380Nm – provides excellent pull-away and mid-range acceleration. This hasn’t been achieved
to the detriment of fuel consumption, however. The Renault-Nissan Alliance engine is very inexpensive to run and fuel consumption is equivalent to 140g of CO2 per kilometre. In terms of both performance and driving pleasure, it stands out as the best diesel engine in its class.
Valeo
Altica’s lights employ high-performance light emitting diodes (LEDs). The dipped and main beam functions are housed in a single module which tops a linear directional light. The LED control unit permanently adapts the quantity and orientation of the beam as a function of the conditions. During motorway driving, the LEDs that ensure long range visibility are automatically activated and controlled to guarantee optimum visibility at all times without dazzle. The colour of the light emitted by the LEDs is similar to that of daylight for enhanced optical comfort and visibility.
The daytime running light (DRL) mode, which is activated most of the time while the car is moving, also use LEDs. Their high efficiency and the low amount of energy they require significantly reduce the power that is consumed compared with a conventional light source. The life expectancy of LEDs is also much longer than that of all contemporary light sources. As a world first, the sidelight function is ensured by a veil of light that covers the entire headlamp thanks to Valeo’s exclusive MicroOptique technology.
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Dimensions
Overall length 4,270mm
Width (excluding door mirrors) 1,830mm
Height 1,360mm
Wheelbase 2,620mm
Front and rear track 1,540mm
Front overhang 936mm
Rear overhang 714mm
Ground clearance 175mm
Weight 1,300kg
Powertrain
Four-cylinder 2.0-litre 16-valve turbocharged Euro 4-compliant dCi diesel engine with balancer shafts
and particulate filter.
Power: 130kW / 177hp and maximum torque of 380Nm at 2,000rpm
Standing start to 100kph in 7.5 seconds
Maximum CO2 emissions:140g/km, for a standard cycle fuel consumption of 5.3l/100km
Six-speed manual gearbox
Transmission
Front-wheel drive, front,
transverse-mounted engine
21-inch wheels 245 / 35 - ZR21 tyres
Partners
Valeo Exclusive MicroOptique technology: micro-engraved module cover for the daylight running light (DRL) and sidelight functions
Lighting and signal functions using high-performance LEDs
Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tyres
Montupet Specifalloy wheels ic light
Exterior equipment
• Active Synthetic Jet system located at the rear edge of the roof reduces drag at 130kph by 15%
• Two scissor doors activated by optical sensors
• Panoramic windscreen and transparent roof
• Mosaic rear quarter lights optimize 3/4 rear visibility
• Wide boot lid opening and very low loading sill (located 450mm from the ground)
Interior equipment
• Four independent seats; the two rear seats can be folded down to obtain a boot storage volume of up to 1,300 litres
• Drive station suspended by four rods
• Motorized adjustment of pedal assembly and steering wheel positions
• The steering wheel and pedal assembly move automatically clear when the door opens; automatically deploying centre armrest
• Analogue and digital centrally-positioned instrument with two display modes: “sport” and “comfort”
• Additional storage space underneath the rear parcel shelf of the boot floo
© Source: original article on seriouswheels.com
