So far, the Renault Zoe has had to prevail against little competition and is one of the bestsellers in the electronics market. But his competitors are slowly coming to him. With an extensive upgrade, the Frenchman now wants to arm himself against the Peugeot 208-e, Opel E-Corsa and the Volkswagen Stromer.
SP-X / Paris. With slightly sold 39.000 units in Europe, the Renault Zoe ranks in the Stromer statistics along with the group's brother Nissan Leaf at the top, knocked down in third place is with 24.000 sales of the BMW i3. However, the now seven-year-old French small electric car is facing stormy times, for which Renault is likely to prepare for an extensive upgrade in September. Interesting: Currently Renault works together with Nissan already at the Zoe successor. But if the comes in a year or two on the market, the current model as cheap entry-level version will continue to be in the price list.
Until then, all responsibility is on the old Zoe. Had the 4,09 meter long Stromer prevail so far mainly against the expensive BMW, the smaller electric-up of VW and the quasi never really come on the market Opel Ampera-e, it brings him in the plus-minus small car class now quite a number of newcomers to the body: the Up brothers Citigo and Mii drive in the future only electrically, Opel sends the power Corsa in the race, Peugeot the electrified 208 and Kia plays with the E-Soul even the SUV trump card ,
They do not all play in exactly the same length league, but in the end the price should be decisive for most buyers. With the Renault but still behind the mountain. Currently the Zoe is available from 21.900 Euro - but then monthly at least 59 Euro rent for the 22 kWh battery will be due. Who buys the battery, must pay at least 29.900 Euro, and who is keen on the larger power storage with currently 41 kilowatt-hours capacity for around 300 kilometers, does not drive for under 35.900 Euro from the farm. Whether he wants to rent or buy the battery, the customer can decide in the future, cheaper will be the revised version, but hardly. After all, there is even more energy in the new Zoe with 52 kWh, which should be enough for 390-WLTP kilometers.
The price planners in Paris are likely to re-sharpen the pencil several times these days and calculate precisely, because: VW wants to offer the larger ID.3 for less than 30.000 euros, the same can be heard from Rüsselsheim about the Corsa-E and Skoda is even planning the Citigo-e to sell for less than 20.000 euros. Admittedly, the Czech is much smaller at 3,60 meters and only comes 265 kilometers. But as a second city car, it is completely sufficient, and the Zoe will rarely take on the role of the family first car. The Frenchman also does not have enough space for this, at least in the rear, it quickly becomes cramped even for normal-sized guests. After all: With 338 to 1.225 liters, the Renault swallows significantly more luggage.
It is not yet known whether the Zoe will also be available with a cheaper, smaller battery in the future. At least two different engines are certain, customers can choose between 80 kW / 108 PS and 100 kW / 135 PS, the current basic model has so far been the top version. With the 135 hp engine, the pulling power is even better, the maximum speed of 50 km / h allowed in the city is reached in 3,6 instead of 3,9 seconds and in the hundred sprint it is almost two seconds faster with 9,4 seconds. With the Vmax there is only a slight difference with 135 and 140 km / h. The B-mode is new in the Zoe: It can be engaged with the gear selector lever and intensifies the recuperation so that the Renault can now also be controlled with the accelerator pedal. If you take your right foot off the accelerator, the Zoe should decelerate so much through energy recovery alone that you rarely need the brake pedal. But that is not the only new function in the Zoe: With the latest upgrade, the Renault recognizes traffic signs, automatically switches the standard LED light between low beam and high beam, warns of cars in the blind spot, stays in the lane, parks automatically and steps in an emergency, it also applies the brakes by itself
In addition, there are high-tech gadgets that beautify the cockpit, which is already significantly upgraded with better materials, soft surfaces and, on request, fine recycled fabric. The ten-inch digital instrument cluster is always on board, an infotainment system with a 7- or 9,3-inch touchscreen sits enthroned above the airy center console, and smartphones are naturally charged inductively. On the other hand, little has changed on the outside: At the rear, the new, filigree taillights stand out, the front shines with blink-blink decor and a new radiator grille. As usual, the charging port is hidden behind the Renault logo on the nose. Thanks to the CCS plug, the Zoe can now also be refueled with up to 50 kW direct current. The manufacturer promises that electricity can be pressed into the battery for another 30 kilometers in 150 minutes. Most of the time, the Zoe is filled with the 22 kW or 11 kW fast charger on the go, where energy can be drawn for around 125 kilometers in one or two hours. If you have a 7 kW wallbox at home, you can fully charge the Zoe in nine and a half hours.