A subtly revised exterior hides an all-new dashboard, and an upgraded drivetrain with improved range and more power.

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The new Renault Zoe is hoping electric car fans are also lovers of the old saying "never judge a book by its cover". From the outside the Zoe looks to have hardly changed, but Renault has invested most of its time and effort changing what's under the skin. For the revised model, the Zoe comes standard with a 50kWh battery pack, which has a rated range of 390 kilometres according to the tougher WLTP testing cycle. Previously, the top-spec Zoe had a 41kWh battery. The charging system has also been upgraded, and is now compatible with 50kW DC chargers, as well as Type-2 and Chameleon AC systems up to 22kW.

Two motors are available: the base 80kW/225Nm R110, and the more powerful 100kW/245Nm R135, which is capable of 0-100km/h in under 10 seconds and a top speed of 140km/h. The Zoe's single-speed transmission now includes a B-mode, which begins engine braking the moment the driver lifts off the accelerator pedal. The front end features a more sharply creased bonnet, reshaped headlight units with C-shaped LED driving lights, and a new front fascia with a studded lower air intake and some vent-like apertures surrounding the fog lights. At the rear, changes seem confined to redesigned graphics for the tail-lights.

The interior has been given a far more comprehensive overhaul with a new dashboard boasting a more modern design and higher quality soft-touch materials, both seemingly inspired by the latest Clio. A customisable 10.0-inch instrumentation display is standard. In the centre of the dashboard is a 9.3-inch curved touchscreen infotainment compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Via a smartphone app, drivers can plan out their driving route for the day, find the nearest charging stations, get range estimates, remotely manage the Zoe's charging, and send an itinerary to the car's infotainment system. The interior is available with seat and dashboard fabric made from recycled PET bottles. Other features include an automatic electronic parking brake, wireless smartphone charging, an acoustic windshield, autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping assist, and hands-free parking.

Depending on the trim level, the Zoe rides on either 15-inch steel wheels, or 16- and 17-inch alloy rims. Australia Speaking with CarAdvice, Renault Australia's corporate communications manager, Alison Van Den Dungen, said the new Zoe should arrive in local showrooms in 2020 with the flagship powertrain. "Timing is still being worked out but the plan is to bring the new Zoe to Australia next year," she said.

"It will have the new Z.E. 50 battery and the 100kW motor." MORE: Zoe news, reviews, comparisons and videos

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