Renault’s Mégane To Be Offered With A Plug-In Hybrid Option
In a recent press release about Renault’s success in 2019, they announced the introduction of an all-electric Renault Twingo ZE along with the company’s new E-Tech hybrid technology. The new Twingo will complement the Renault Clio E-Tech hybrid and the Renault Captur E-Tech plug-in hybrid models.
“For the group, 2020 will mark a new stage in its electric offensive with the launch of Twingo Z.E. and the deployment of its new E-Tech hybrid and plug-in hybrid offers.”
What Is E-Tech Hybrid Technology?
In order to get Renault’s Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) below the dreaded 95g/km maximum, they developed a variant of the tech that Toyota and Honda have been offering for the last 20 years. It is also seen as a stop-gap technology to bide time until the final transition into full-electric driving.
The E-Tech hybrid technology was developed entirely in-house which debuted in the new Renault Clio. At the core, the technology is a hybrid transmission system with two electric motor-generators assisting a 1.6-litre petrol engine.
What To Expect From The 2020 Renault Twingo ZE
Renault has had massive success in the small city car segment and now they’ve developed an electric car with incredible drivability, operating range and features perfectly suited to city drivers. The Twingo ZE is built on a platform designed for electric cars and takes full advantage of all the EV expertise of Groupe Renault. The Twingo ZE offers performance and pleasure which only further bolsters the factors that made Twingo such a success in the past.
In terms of design, it portrays an attractive personality with the possibility of customisation, enhancing the features to underline its all-electric character. The Renault Twingo ZE is a pleasure to drive and feels like its internal combustion counterpart. It has the best-in-class turning radius while its electric rear-wheel drive and different driving modes make it even more fun to drive.
Charging The Renault Twingo ZE features a 22-kW charging system, similar to that of the EQ ForFour. This means it can zip around town for a week on a single charge, depending on driving conditions and habits, of course. The motor, reduction gear and charger are all based on the new Renault ZOE and is manufactured at Cléon in western France. It’s on the same production line that manufactures other electric engines for Renault and its partners.
The Renault Twingo ZE battery is paired with the Renault ZOE’s charger. It offers optimised charging across all stations in alternative current (AC) up to 22 kW. This system can charge up to four times faster than its competitors at charging stations most commonly found in public areas. It gives the small city car greater energy efficiency where it could charge from 10 to 80 percent in 40 minutes.
Features And Connectivity
The new Twingo includes all the features specific to Renault’s electric vehicles with the addition of services to the general EASY CONNECT library. Similar to those featured on the new Renault ZOE, it confirms that the Twingo is rated best-in-class for EV connectivity. It also comes with the EASY LINK on-board system which allows drivers to schedule charging times to take advantage of off-peak hours.
On the road, the system on-board system displays range on a map in real-time while the nearest charging stations are indicated on-request. Any and all updates are also available in real-time. Drivers can check the battery level during charging from the MY Renault app. They can also control the air conditioning and heating remotely during charging without affecting the range.
Their “EV Route Planner” feature simulates a planned route which will identify charging stations on the way, as required. The Twingo ZE is Renault’s response to the rising demand for small city cars that are practical, fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly. Electric cars may not be perfect for long-distance, at least not yet, but in an urban context, they are the obvious choice.
While there is no confirmation whether the Renault Twingo ZE will be available in South Africa, keep an eye on our blog and join us on Facebook for all the latest updates.
