Renault City K-ZE
There’s some good news from the French automaker as they are working on a potentially new Renault electric SUV. While the Renault ZOE is certainly a convincing addition to their range, they need an SUV to take on the ever-growing, competitive EV market.
Truth is, this project has been in the making for some time and we should see a production version late in 2021. With the electric SUV taking inspiration from the recently revealed Renault Morphoz concept, the final product could be an exciting revelation in the SUV segment.
Laurens van den Acker, design director at Renault, had this say about the new design and future of EVs: “When you switch to electric vehicles, the shapes change – the proportions of the cars change. I think we will still be looking at SUVs for a while, as they have become incredibly efficient and remain very attractive – and this is the only category of vehicles that is attracting interest worldwide.”
What Will The New Renault Electric SUV Look Like?
The new Renault electric SUV is said to be similar in size than the Renault Kadjar but with a lower roofline to give it a sleek, estate-type look. With this body style, there will be ample interior space, even with the battery pack in the floor. It’s also going to be more aerodynamic and more efficient than a larger, boxier SUV.
This SUV will only be available as an electric model which means there won’t be a fake grille unlike many other cars with a hybrid derivative. One way or another, you can expect a stylish front end with LED headlights and vertical daytime running lights.
Range And Specifications
The Renault electric SUV will be based on the new modular CMF-EV platform for electric vehicles developed by the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance. This means it will share much of its underpinnings with the Nissan Ariya electric SUV where both should offer batteries big enough to provide a range of more than 482 km (300 miles).
The platform has been specially designed to support front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive making it a versatile option. As a result, Renault can offer entry-level versions with one electric motor, and more powerful dual-motor versions with one electric motor on each axle.
The new CMF-EV platform was also previewed on the shapeshifting Renault Morphoz concept and while it’s scalable in width, height and length, it is limited to compact and mid-size vehicles. Laurens van der Acker, Groupe Renault’s head of design, said that SUVs will still be popular for a few years and that the Renault Megane hatchback might suffer as a result.
“The Megane is in a segment that’s increasingly under pressure. You have to put your money where the future of the market is.”
“Morphoz is definitely a turning point… if we were to do a different kind of EV, what would it do and what would it look like? When you go to EVs, the silhouettes will change – the proportions of the cars will change. I think we’re still in for SUVs for quite a while as they’ve become incredibly efficient and remain very attractive – and it’s the only proportion that appeals globally.”
While the new Renault electric SUV remains nameless, and still in the early stages, it’s an exciting prospect nonetheless. Although details are scarce, you may also be able to personalise the car by maybe adding a contrasting roof.
With an official launch still to be confirmed, what do you think of the new Renault electric SUV? We certainly love the idea and can’t wait to see a production version in action. For more interesting stories covering motoring news from around the world, have a look at our blog or join the conversation on Facebook.
