Renault Zoe ZE Electric Concept Car
Renault Zoe ZE Concept is evidence that an all-electric
zero-emission vehicle can also boast smart, appealing looks. Renault Zoe
ZE Concept features technology aimed at extending its range and
enhancing the travelling comfort of all occupants.
Renault Zoe ZE Concept is an all-electric,
zero-emission vehicle which reconciles motoring with the environmental
aspirations of customers looking for a vehicle with the best possible
ecological footprint.
Aerodynamics have a significant influence on the
performance of a zero-emission vehicle and, in the case of the Zoe ZE
Concept project, the overriding concerns regarding design were elegance
and efficiency.
Renault Zoe ZE Concept is just 4.10m long and is
powered by a 70kW electric motor which develops 226Nm of torque. It is
easy to imagine the vehicle making its way silently through traffic in
built-up areas. The large 21-inch wheels and large body panels are
reassuring touches that give the four occupants complete peace of mind
when travelling out of town.
At the rear, a retractable spoiler deploys at
speeds in excess of 90kph to make a further contribution to Zoe ZE
Concept's aerodynamic efficiency. This LED-equipped spoiler also serves
as a brake light, as does the integrated light in the shark's fin-type
aerial on the roof.
The roof has been designed as an intelligent
protective membrane that insulates the occupants from heat and cold, as
well as optimizing climate control performance by recovering energy via
its honeycomb photovoltaic cells.
Renault Zoe ZE Electric Concept Car
At front and rear, a shield of polyurethane
gel protects the lights which feature energy-efficient
electroluminescent diodes that emit a blue-tinted light. This second
skin protects vulnerable components from small knocks in town, while
underlining this electric concept car's hi-tech feel.
The air intakes situated either side of the car
channel airflow to cool the batteries. The air is extracted through two
large rear channels through which it is possible to glimpse the
streamlined suspension arms.
The form of the front seat cushions resembles that
of an asymmetric pebble, while the seatbacks are attached to the roof.
At the rear, the seats can be folded flat with a view to obtaining
additional carrying capacity.
The dashboard contributes to the interior's
uncluttered feel. It is covered with an intelligent, minerallike
membrane and the lightest of touches calls up a range of touchscreen
controls. The wide TFT (Thin Film Transistor) screen is housed in a
glass bubble. This is the central information point for Renault Zoe ZE
Concept and serves to display navigation data, the charge indicator and
remaining range, as well as a pallet of coloured mood lighting options
which enable the interior ambiance to be customized. This mood lighting
can also be selected automatically via a sensor in the seat which will
tone the lighting to match the colours of the driver's clothes.
Information is presented by an avatar that appears
on the TFT screen, creating a link between the driver and the
technology thanks to short messages. The avatar can be personalized
(male, female, downloadable from the internet), and provides information
about traffic conditions, the route and remaining range. It can also
indicate the nearest charging points. This way of humanizing the
technology makes it more accessible and creates a relationship with the
driver to ensure that journeys are as pleasant as possible.
Renault Zoe ZE Electric Concept Car
The hands-free keycard can be personalized,
too, by fixing a chip to an object of the customer's choosing to enable
automatic door locking and ignition.
The driver has three options when it comes to 'filling up' on energy:
- A standard charge: takes between four and eight hours, via a charging socket situated on the outside of the vehicle.
- A quick charge: in 20 minutes, using the same socket at specific charging points.
- The exclusive 'Quickdrop' system: three minutes at a rapid battery exchange station.
