

Renault ZOE EV is available to reserve now for £49, ahead of its UK showroom launch in spring 2013.

With an NEDC homologated range of up to 130 miles and an on-the-road price from just £13,650, Renault ZOE is the first affordable car for everyday use to have been designed from the ground up as an electric vehicle.

ZOE packs the industry’s most advanced technology, including no fewer than six ‘world premiere’ features and 60 patents designed to deliver user-friendliness, range and connectivity. The hotly-anticipated Renault comes in the wake of the Fluence Z.E. saloon, Kangoo Van Z.E. and the innovative urban runabout Twizy to make zero emission mobility a reality for ordinary motorists – one of the pledges of Renault’s ‘Drive the Change’ signature.

Renault ZOE is available in three trim levels – Expression, Dynamique Zen and Dynamique Intens – and is packed with a raft of innovations for a new form of motoring. ZOE Expression comes with an on-the-road price of £13,650, after the Government Plug-in Car Grant deduction, while the Dynamique Zen and Intens start from £14,750. Battery hire is from £70 per month.

The sleek supermini is the first vehicle to be equipped with ‘Range OptimiZEr’ which combines three major innovations (new-generation regenerative braking, a heat pump and MICHELIN EnergyTM E-V tyres). Due to this, the range of ZOE has the longest range of the electric vehicles in mass production. With these Michelin tyres, in the NEDC cycle, ZOE is homologated with a range of 130 miles. However, this is a reference figure, in real conditions, for example, in suburban use, the owner will generally achieve around 60 miles in cold weather and 90 miles in temperate conditions.

ZOE is the only electric vehicle to feature the Chameleon charger. Patented by Renault, this charger is compatible with all power levels up to 43kW. Charging batteries at a charging station can take between 30 minutes and nine hours, with 80 per cent of full battery power able to be achieved within 30 minutes using a single type of connection for the car.

ZOE is also the first Renault vehicle to be presented with new multimedia system, Renault R-Link. To enable drivers to control its functions without taking their eyes off the road, R-Link features a large seven-inch display, steering wheel-mounted controls and voice recognition. It also delivers integrated connectivity with motoring services and applications available from the R-Link Store.

ZOE’s synchronous electric motor with rotor coil has a power output of 65kW (equivalent to 88hp) and instantly delivers maximum torque of 220Nm. Acceleration and pull-away are responsive from low speeds, while top speed is limited to 84mph. Driving is more relaxing thanks to the silent ride and smooth, gearshift-free acceleration.

Renault ZOE is fitted with ‘Z.E. Voice’, an alarm which warns pedestrians that the vehicle is approaching. ‘Z.E. Voice’ can be heard from 1 to 18 mph and was the subject of special design work to create a bespoke sound identity for ZOE. The driver can choose between three different sounds, while it is possible to turn off the warning system by simply pressing a button.

Programmable pre-conditioning heats or cools ZOE’s cabin when the vehicle is charging so when the driver gets into the car the cabin is just the right temperature and battery charge is saved in use. An activated charcoal cabin air filter traps most bad smells and pollutants. It also filters substances just a few microns in size, such as pollen and soot.

The choice of colours and materials for one of the ZOE versions, Dynamique Zen, recalls purity and wellbeing: white, blue and chrome, with a light coloured interior ambiance. ZOE Dynamique Zen is fitted with ‘Take Care by Renault’ equipment as standard with active scent diffuser, ioniser and toxicity sensor together with Teflon seat protection.

Its agile, dynamic looks express driving enjoyment, while its signature headlights feature LEDs that permanently light up recesses situated either side of the front air intake. Like Twingo and Twizy, ZOE features the Renault brand’s new design identity.

Standard equipment on Expression:

• R-Link – voice controlled TomTom satellite navigation with 7” touchscreen and voice control

• 4x20W radio

• USB port and SD Multimedia

• Bluetooth

• ‘Range OptimeZEr’ – new-generation regenerative braking, a heat pump and MICHELIN Energy E-V tyres

• Chameleon charger

• Z.E. Connect – remote monitoring of battery charge and range

• Z.E. Voice – pedestrian warning

• Climate control

• Cruise control

• LED DRLs

• ESC

• ASR Traction control

• CSV Understeer control

• HSA Hill Start Assist

• Renault keycard

• ISOFIX mountings on front passenger seat and outer rear seats

• TFT instrument display

• Height and reach adjustable steering wheel

• Privacy glass to rear side and tailgate windows

• RAID automatic door locking

Additional equipment on Dynamique Intens and Dynamique Zen:

• 16” Aerotronic alloy wheels

• Renault keycard with hands free functionality

• 4x35W radio with Arkamys digital sound

• Z.E. Interactive – remote battery charging and air conditioning/heating activation

• Z.E. Digital – remote access to R-Link store e.g. email access)

• Automatic headlight activation

• Automatic wiper activation

• Leather steering wheel

• Electric rear windows

• Rear parking sensors

• Rear parking camera (Dynamique Intens only)

• ‘Intens’ dark interior ambiance (Dynamique Intens only)

• ‘Zen’ light interior ambiance with Teflon seat protection (Dynamique Zen only)

• ‘Zen Take Care by Renault’ – active scent diffuser, ioniser, toxicity sensor – (Dynamique Zen only)

Optional equipment on Expression:

• 16” Aerotronic alloy wheels £310

• Renault i.d. paint £300

• Metallic paint £460

• Renault i.d. metallic paint £600

• Automatic headlight and wiper activation £165

• Renault keycard with hands free functionality £300

• Rear parking sensors £350

• 4x35W radio with Arkamys digital sound £250

• Z.E. Interactive – remote battery charging and air conditioning/heating activation £150

• Z.E. Digital – remote access to R-Link store e.g. email access) £25

• Western Europe map for TomTom £110

• TomTom Live services 3 year subscription £125

• Easy Pack – rear parking sensors and automatic headlight and wiper activation £275

• Comfort Pack – Renault keycard with hands free functionality and electric rear windows £245

Optional equipment on Dynamique Intens:

• 17” Tech Run alloy wheels (not available with MICHELIN EnergyTM E-V tyres £400

• Renault i.d. paint £300

• Metallic paint £460

• Renault i.d. metallic paint £600

• Western Europe map for TomTom £110

• TomTom Live services 3 year subscription £125

Optional equipment on Dynamique Zen:

• 17” Tech Run alloy wheels (not available with MICHELIN EnergyTM E-V tyres £400

• Rear parking camera £310

• Renault i.d. paint £300

• Metallic paint £460

• Renault i.d. metallic paint £600

• Western Europe map for TomTom £110

• TomTom Live services 3 year subscription £125