Renault Coupe Corbusier concept

Renault's commitment to the arts seemingly knows no bounds, today revealing the Coupe Corbusier concept, an arresting design that commemorates the 50th anniversary of the death of famous Swiss-French architect Charles-Édouard Jeanneret-Gris, aka Le Corbusier.

Renault says the intriguing concept car's design was 'inspired by the architects's modernist principles and theories'. It's possible the concept could influence future Renault production cars, but it's more likely to be a pure design exercise.

The French car maker says the design, which has been two years in the making, is 'unrelated to our range renewals'. However it could be hint of what's to come from Alpine.

Renault's explanation? The concept allowed its designers' creative juices to flow freely by giving staff 'recreational' moments.

Le Corbusier was known for his simple but classy designs and Renault insists the new coupe concept draws design conclusions from the 'golden age' of the automobile, the 1930s. Its long bonnet rings true to the era but the dihedral doors, flamboyant flanks are thoroughly modern.

Renault talks about 'geometric elegance' in the Coupe Corbusier concept, which pays homage to the 'visionary architect and designer who reinvented architecture and made it more broadly accessible'.

There's no mention of what powertrain lies underneath the concept's extraordinary metal skin, whether it's two or four-wheel drive or if there's fancy new technology, such as gesture control.

The Renault Coupé Corbusier concept will be on display until March 20, 2016, at the Villa Savoye in Poissy. It's part of the 'Des voitures à habiter: automobile et modernisme XXe-XXIe siècles' exhibition. Roughly translated, it means 'Cars for living: the automobile and modernism in the 20th and 21st centuries'.