Renault’s ambitious goal of achieving carbon neutrality in Europe by 2040, and globally by 2050, has pushed the marque into electric territory. But they’re not abandoning hydrogen just yet. The Emblème, a demo car, is proof of that commitment. Much like the Honda CR-V e:FCEV, it marries a hydrogen fuel cell with a rechargeable battery, offering a glimpse at what Renault believes could be the future of mobility.

Renault calls the Emblème a shooting brake, though with its five-door design, it stretches that definition. Aerodynamics are the order of the day here, with the car boasting a drag coefficient of just 0.25. Visually, it’s a departure from Renault’s usual fare, and if we’re lucky, some of those bold design cues might find their way into production cars. At 4.8 meters long and only 1.52 meters tall, this concept is anything but petite, yet its low-slung stance gives it a sleek, performance-driven silhouette.

Now, the numbers. Renault claims the Emblème can cover up to 1,000 kilometers with two quick stops to refuel its 2.8-kilogram hydrogen tank. That’s right hydrogen refueling stations might be few and far between (around 1,000 globally as of last year), but when you find one, it’ll take less than five minutes to fill up, offering about 350 kilometers of range per stop. In urban settings, the Emblème runs purely on its 40-kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt battery, behaving like a regular EV, with a full charge covering about 300 kilometers.

Do the math, and the combined hydrogen and electric setup can take you 700 kilometers with ease. Powering the rear wheels is a 158-kW electric motor mounted at the back, utilizing a wound-rotor design that eliminates the need for rare earth materials.

Despite its advanced hybrid system, the Emblème avoids the typical bulk of hybrid or electric vehicles, weighing in at a reasonable 1,750 kilograms. Renault engineers were meticulous, shaving off every unnecessary kilogram to make sure this striking wagon remains as eco-friendly as possible. Renault claims an impressive 90% reduction in emissions "from the cradle to the grave" compared to similarly sized cars.

Set to make its public debut at the 2024 Paris Motor Show from October 14-20, we’re excited to get a closer look at the interior and see how Renault’s latest green machine stacks up in the flesh.