Renault has launched its new Zoe, and this all-electric hatchback gets a fresh new look, more dynamic styling, and some new body colour.
The French carmaker says the new Zoe can travel up to 395km with its new 52kWh battery. Renault defines long range as 380km (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure ) or more - there is no industry definition.
Renault says the Zoe ZE 50 has a range between 383 and 395km depending on the version. The company also promises faster charging with the option of 50kWh DC (CCS ), able to recover 145km range in 30 minutes.
It claims to be the only car with standard 22kWh AC charging through a Chameleon charger, adding that it makes the Zoe the most suitable electric car for Ireland's public charging network.
For greater performance, a new, more powerful R135 (135hp ) motor has also been added alongside the current R110 (108hp ) motor. And new regenerative braking ‘B Mode’ that allows single pedal driving has also been added. Full LED headlamps are standard across the range.
The Zoe gets a redesigned interior with Renault pointing to the premium materials and customisable 10-inch TFT instrument cluster as standard. Wireless smartphone charging is also available and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included as standard. The new Zoe also offers real time charging information using the MyRenault app. Adding to its green credentials, there is 100 per cent recycled seat trim on Renault’s iconic model.
Prices start from €26,990 (including VRT relief and full SEAI Grant ) for the R110 ZE 50 Play version, which makes it the most affordable electric car in Ireland. As of last week, the nearest rivals are the Peugeot 208 Electric Active (€27,334 ); the Mini Cooper S Electric 1 (€27,764 ); and the Volkswagen e-Golf (€27,895 ).
Renault boasts it saves customers €9,000 compared to other long-range electric cars. This claim is based on the next lowest priced car with a range exceeding this which is the current Continental Irish Car of the Year, the Kia e-Soul SUV with an impressive 452km. It is price at €35,995 after the VRT relief and grant, which is €9,005 more than the Zoe Play version. The next highest range is the Peugeot e-208 at up to 340km.
Renault points to the Zoe as being Europe’s best-selling electric car. At February's end, 198,400 Zoe cars had been sold, and is expected to exceed 200,000 in the coming weeks
The price includes an eight-year/160,000km battery warranty, while the rest of the vehicle is covered by Renault’s five-year/200,000km warranty. This compares to the aforementioned Kia, which offers a full manufacturer seven-year/150,000km warranty in Europe.
