Newly arrived at dealerships, the new Renault Zoe promises more power, faster charging and a range of 395 kilometres. Connected, tech-savvy and “circular”, the Zoe is a practical and easy-to-use electric car. We drove it.
Renault Zoe, act three. Seven years after its first debut, one of the best-selling electric cars in Europe (and in Italy) is back and, as we had anticipated a few months ago – this is a substantial change, a rethinking more concrete and profound than it might appear. More than a revolution, though, an evolution. How can you tell? From the styling, for example. At first glance, the new Zoe looks the same as ever; even the dimensions are unchanged from the previous generation (just over 4 metres long, perfect above all for the city); in short, the fundamental ingredients are confirmed. In reality, the front end has been completely redesigned. The bonnet has changed. The new headlights, now more efficient thanks to full LED technology, make the new Zoe instantly recognisable, with a new "light signature". Then there are the new wheel rims and previously unseen body colours. But it is above all the range, motor power, charging speed and interior trim that represent the most interesting new features.
But it is on the inside that the evolution of the new Renault Zoe is most keenly felt. The new dashboard has been completely redesigned; the design is now more contemporary, and the greater attention to materials and finishes is immediately apparent. Then there is that general sense of increased technology, which is not merely an impression. Compared with the previous generation of Zoe, what immediately catches the eye here is the new instrument cluster in front of the steering wheel; the old instruments have been replaced by a 10-inch display that clearly shows all the information needed while driving. There is also a second 9.3-inch central display, this time a touchscreen, giving access to all on-board functions — from climate control to the radio — but above all capable of amplifying the new connectivity features that have brought the Zoe into a new era. The gear selector is also completely new and — as we shall see — features previously unseen functions, while the handbrake lever has disappeared, replaced by a more contemporary electric parking brake control.
Then there is another aspect of Renault Zoe that reflects a growing focus on the circular economy (the French manufacturer has even had a dedicated facility since 2008 for material reuse and end-of-life management, with a strong emphasis on environmental impact and a more responsible approach to the mobility of the future), which, alongside electrification, is one of the great bets of the automotive industry. Behind that sensation of greater attention to detail and quality that you notice when you get into the new Zoe, there lies a virtuous innovation. The upholstery of the new Zoe's interior is in fact made from a fabric obtained from textile offcuts and recycled seat belts and plastic bottles. The result? Emissions reduced by up to 60 per cent in the production cycle. Renault is no stranger to the virtuous theme of recycling: back in 2015, together with a French spinning mill, it had already developed a textile product made exclusively from recycled materials. Today, some versions of the Zoe use 8 square metres of this fabric for the seat upholstery, dashboard and centre console, as well as in less visible areas such as the gear selector trim and door seals. "Faced with the challenge of the energy transition, industries play a primary role in evolving their production methods and reducing their environmental impact," explained Jean-Philippe Hermine, Director of Strategy and Environmental Planning at the Renault Group. "This policy contributes to the commitment made by the group to reduce the environmental impacts of vehicles across their entire life cycle and to cut its carbon footprint worldwide by 25 per cent in 2022 compared with 2010," Hermine concluded.
Now let us turn to the more technical aspects of the new Zoe. As with every electric car, range is a fundamental issue for the little French model if it is to maintain its sales lead, particularly in a market that is becoming increasingly crowded with new models. Hence the decision to increase range by 25 per cent, bringing it to 395 kilometres (it was 150 in the first Zoe and 300 in the second generation). Then comes the debut of a new 52 kWh battery, earmarked for the flagship version. Charging speed is also an ever more decisive factor for anyone choosing an electric car, not least thanks to the arrival of fast-charge points. The Zoe can now use rapid DC charging of up to 50 kW, which means gaining 150 kilometres of range in around 30 minutes. Those times stretch considerably — sometimes very considerably — when using a home socket or an AC charger of up to 22 kW. Here are the times for a full charge.
To everything already described, and to the 80 kW motor, is now added the availability of a new 100 kW electric motor. Its effects are readily noticeable even to those who have known the Zoe for years. The getaway from the traffic lights — an option best not overused, on pain of a significant reduction in range — is more immediate. Top speed also rises to 140 km/h; the same caveat about acceleration applies here too… But it is above all the new "B mode" driving option that makes the Zoe more efficient in urban driving; now you hardly need to touch the brakes at all — simply lift off the accelerator and the car slows noticeably, harnessing energy recuperation.
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We have written often in the past about the value of so-called ADAS. These are the full range of on-board systems that assist the driver, above all in terms of safety. Behind the wheel of the new Zoe, the evolution is tangible. A few examples? The road-sign recognition system, and the blind-spot sensor that lets you see other vehicles approaching in adjacent lanes. Those worried about speeding fines will appreciate the Over Speed Limit function, which alerts you when you exceed the speed limit. For the distracted and the drowsy, the Lane Keep Assist keeps you in the correct lane. Meanwhile, the Easy Park Assist is aimed at the less hands-on driver: it activates parking without using your hands — a "magic trick" that children love, often gazing in delight as the steering wheel turns on its own.
Connectivity is now non-negotiable for any new car model, even more so for an electric that relies on the connection for vital functions such as geolocation and the availability of charging points. The goal? To minimise as far as possible the use of a smartphone, which is all too often a "temptation" for drivers. In this respect, thanks to the Easy Link system — which effectively mirrors the functions of your mobile phone (Android or Apple) on the Zoe's on-board display — you can dictate an SMS, listen to podcasts and web radio, use your favourite apps, access "intelligent" navigation (which includes weather updates, speed cameras, traffic information, Google Search and much more), schedule charging times (useful at home to take advantage of the best tariff windows) and control the air conditioning, which can cool or heat the car before you arrive.
According to Unrae (the national association of foreign vehicle representatives) figures, electric cars registered in Italy in the first eight months of 2019 totalled 6,453, up 109 per cent on the same period the previous year. Admittedly, that still represents (just) 0.5 per cent of the market. In this context, in October too the Renault Zoe, with 1,887 units sold (816 in the same period of 2018), confirmed its position at the top of the best-selling electric car rankings in Italy, followed by the Smart Fortwo and new entrant the Tesla Model 3. The Zoe is also the best-selling electric city car in Europe. We take the arrival of the new Zoe as an opportunity to take a brief snapshot of the market. Again according to Unrae data, 72.4 per cent of private-market electric car registrations are made by men, and three-quarters are concentrated in the north of the country. Of those who choose an electric car, 45 per cent do so to say goodbye to diesel (the figure drops to 35 per cent in the case of petrol drivers).
The new Renault Zoe goes on sale in November in four trim levels (Life, Zen, Intens, Edition One) and with two motors (80 kW or 100 kW). The list price starts at €25,900 for those who opt for the battery-rental formula, or €34,100 with battery ownership.