Renault has unveiled four incredible electric concept cars at the 2009 Frankfurt motor show, and all four will be in production by the end of 2012.
What are these four electric concept cars from Renault?
The maddest of all is the tiny Twizy ZE concept, a 1+1 city car that Renault sources have revealed to CAR will go into production in 2011 relatively unchanged. Also on sale in 2011 will be an electric van for commercial buyers, based on the Kangoo ZE concept and mechanically identical to the Be Bop ZE Ben Oliver drove earlier in 2009.
After that we’ll see the Fluence ZE, based on the recently revealed Fluence saloon. And while the later isn’t coming to the UK, the former should go on sale in Blighty in 2011.
Then in 2012 we’ll see an electric supermini to slot between the Twizy and Fluence. It was previewed at the 2009 Frankfurt motor show by the Zoe ZE concept, but don’t expect the production car to keep the suicide and butterfly doors.
Are any of these cars related to Nissan’s new Leaf?
Yes. Renault and partner Nissan are aiming to become the biggest retailer of mass-market zero-emissions (ZE) vehicles, and will part-share for their electric car projects.
And to help consumers overcome fears of ‘range anxiety’ Renault has been working on three charging solutions for its cars: a simple recharge, a quicker 20-minute refill at specific charging points and a ‘Quickdrop’ three minute battery exchange.
Click here to read the full story on Renault’s Twizy ZE concept
Click here to read the full story on Renault’s Zoe ZE concept
Click here to read the full story on Renault’s Fluence ZE concept
Click here to read the full story on Renault’s Kangoo ZE concept
Anything else?
Yes. Renault also unveiled its first dual-clutch transmission, a six-speed unit which will make its debut in the Megane in early 2010. Details were also released on Renault’s new Eco line-up, ranging from a 94g/km Twingo, a 99g/km Clio, through a 114g/km Megane, and up to a 125g/km Scenic and Laguna.
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