PARIS - Renault's legendary design director, Patrick Le Quément, is up to his old tricks. On the French automaker's stand at the 2008 Paris Auto Show in early October, in addition to the new Mégane Hatch and Laguna Coupe, is a massive and rather oddly shaped vehicle that Le Quément describes as 'a whole new response to the call of the open road' and 'a glimpse of what the automobile might be in the medium-term future.'

Well, maybe if you're French. There is no mistaking the Renault Ondelios for anything other than one of Le Quément's unique creations, in this case doing double duty as a diesel-hybrid showcase.

A 201-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel drives the front wheels through a seven-speed double-clutch gearbox, and is mated to a pair of 20kW electric motors, one at the front and one at the rear, providing all-wheel-drive capability under certain road and throttle conditions. The engine has an automatic stop-start system to save fuel.

Delivering a total of 332 pound-feet of torque, the mild-hybrid powertrain (so called because the electric motors only operate in tandem with the internal-combustion engine) propels the Ondelios from zero to 60 mph in less than 7.8 seconds. The hybrid system returns an impressive 52 mpg while emitting a low 120 g/km of CO2. A lithium-ion battery provides quick-charge capability.

The fuel economy is particularly noteworthy considering the six-passenger vehicle measures 189 inches long overall — about the size of a Mercedes-Benz E-Class wagon.

The Ondelios is being positioned by Renault as a high-end crossover vehicle, drawing design inspiration from the aviation world. The sleek exterior is highlighted by such details as an aluminum-finish grille, LED headlamps, boomerang-shaped taillamps, and a glazed roof and deep side windows made of polycarbonate. The lightweight body is made of carbon, with some structural parts made from natural flax fiber to enhance recyclability. The most notable feature is the set of butterfly-style side doors, which are hinged to the roof and swing out and upward, while the sills slide down to facilitate easy entry.

The vehicle rides on 23-inch seven-spoke alloy wheels with low-rolling-resistance Michelin Pilot Sport 255/45R-23 tires.

Inside, the Ondelios coddles occupants in three rows of individual cantilever-mounted seats with electrically adjustable backs and retractable footrests. The second pair of seats slides forward and folds down to permit easy access to the third row.

The cabin is trimmed in light gray leather and fabric, with ochre and purple accents. Among the high-tech hardware are Samsung interactive portable multimedia devices for each occupant, enabling data sharing or multiplayer gaming. Each occupant can also set his or her own temperature, thanks to the multi-zone climate control system.

A Samsung cell phone doubles as a hands-free door lock that recognizes the driver and loads his or her personal settings into the vehicle, including music favorites and automatic seat adjustment.

What this means to you: An unusual combination of luxury and green themes, from a well-known design iconoclast. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent