Renault 25 Charbonneaux Sbarro - 1985
At the 1985 Geneva Motor Show, Sbarro, in collaboration with renowned stylist Philippe Charbonneaux, presented this prototype of the Renault 25 tri-corps.
Three volumes
The Renault 25, launched in 1984, was unable to gain a foothold in the German market, due to its two-volume body, which didn't appeal to the high-end segment. This three-volume prototype, with its extra-large trunk, was the answer.Philippe Charbonneaux, the designer (Sbarro is only the manufacturer) thought that a grille was essential for this type of car. The latter evolved towards greater discretion, losing its vertical chrome bars and the Renault logo shifted to the left.
Potential buyers didn't need to get their hands dirty looking for the spare wheel under the car: it now sits vertically in the trunk.
A future... in the museum!
The R25 Charbonneaux was a
great success when it was unveiled, and a handful of potential
customers seemed interested. But the adventure came to an end
with this single example, which is now housed in the Musée de
l'Automobile in Reims, where many of the cars created by
Charbonneaux can be seen.
Although presented very quickly, just six months after the R25's launch, the project did not interest Renault, which was already working on a limousine version of the 25. The Charbonneaux would therefore have hindered the French manufacturer's plans. Not to mention the criticism of the front grille and the quality of the finish, judged to be far too light.
The Sbarro-Charbonneaux association continued a few years later with the astonishing Ellipsis with diamond-shaped wheels.
Although presented very quickly, just six months after the R25's launch, the project did not interest Renault, which was already working on a limousine version of the 25. The Charbonneaux would therefore have hindered the French manufacturer's plans. Not to mention the criticism of the front grille and the quality of the finish, judged to be far too light.
The Sbarro-Charbonneaux association continued a few years later with the astonishing Ellipsis with diamond-shaped wheels.
- Six-cylinder PRV engine
- Displacement: 2624 cm3
- Front-wheel drive
In brief
1- Renault 25 three-box proposal aimed at the high-end market
2- Design by Philippe Charbonneaux, Franco Sbarro was the builder.
3- A one-off model, now in the Reims Museum