Paris Show: Renault ZOE Preview Teases 2012 Production EV and Hints at Next Clio

One or two sizes up from the quirky little Twizy is where Renault's ZOE Preview sits. Following in the vein of last year's ZOE Z.E. coupe, the ZOE Preview is a more realistic look at the production version that will be available in 2012 wearing Renault's newest face. Not only that, but it may just be previewing (ZING!) the next Clio as well.

Similar in size to the Clio, this little electric econobox gets some high-end passenger comfort tech that may or may not show up in the production model (Renault claims 90% of what you see here is what you'll get). To get occupants comfortable, the ZOE has a humidity-regulating climate control system with an integrated toxicity sensor and scent diffuser.

Oh, there's more, don't worry. It also provides "light therapy", which is being co-developed with Philips (apparently a "world-renowned light therapy specialist").

The concept seen here is 4.1 meters long and rides on 19-inch wheels. For production, dimensions are going to be similar, but those wheels? Probably not showing up. Power comes from an 80-horsepower / 60 kW electric motor that makes 222 Nm / 164 lb-ft of torque.

A charge will take from 6 to 8 hours and can be done (primarily) two different ways: either with a Wall Box that you connect to your home's outlet, or by optional EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment). Renault recommends going with the wall box for the sake of convenience. Also possible, should an infrastructure appear sometime soon, is what the company calls a "Fast Charge"; this gives the car a 37-mile emergency run after only ten minutes of charging.

Israelis and Danes may also have the opportunity for Quickdrop batteries, meaning there will be stations that will change out your used-up battery in a matter of minutes.

By Phil Alex

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Paris Show: Citroën Updates C5 with LEDs and New Engines

Citroën chose the Paris Motor Show today to roll out its updated C5 sedan and estate (Tourer) models. The French firm's VW Passat rival has been refreshed for the 2011 model year with some modest styling changes and technology upgrades.

Since the C5 has only been out since early 2008, the cosmetic updates were kept to a minimum and concern the front headlamps that gain a strip of LEDs and the revised tail lamps that receive a new "Dark Crystal" treatment with clear glass in the central section.

There are more important changes under the hood with the introduction of a new e-HDi engine and a new generation 2.2-liter turbo diesel unit.

The e-HDi marries a 110HP four-cylinder diesel to Citroën's 'micro hybrid technology' featuring a stop-start system and a smart alternator able to recover energy during braking. This model also gets an EGS6 electronic gearbox system with steering-wheel paddles and low rolling resistance tires. According to the French automaker, the C5 e-HDi returns a combined fuel economy figure of 4.6 lt/100km (51.2 mpg US) and emits 120 g/km of CO2.

The second new engine in the range is a 2.2-liter turbo diesel producing 200-horsepower and a maximum torque of 450 Nm. Mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox, this engine offers the C5 a top speed of 230 km/h (225 km/h for the Tourer), a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 8.3 seconds (Tourer: 8.6) and a combined cycle fuel consumption of 5.9 lt/100 km or 39.9 mpg US (Tourer: 6.1lt/100km). The saloon emits 155 g/km of CO2 and the Tourer 159 g/km.

Citroën said the new C5 model range will go on sale across Europe in the fourth quarter of the year.

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Paris Show: Audi e-tron Spyder Concept puts Porsche's Boxster on Notice

In order to keep its e-high rolling, Audi has created yet another pretty and efficient vehicle for Paris: the e-tron Spyder. Audi's latest plug-in no-top is powered by a 300-horse 3.0-liter V6 TDI outfitted with two turbochargers and two 88-horsepower / 64 kW electric motors; the results are impressive, to say the least.

The e-tron system in this car will help it hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.4 seconds on its way to a limited 250 km/h (155 mph), provide an all-electric range of 31 miles, return a combined 128.4 mpg, and only pollute your air with 59 g of CO2 per kilometer. Total range is 621 miles for the 1,450-kg car.

Underneath, Audi has installed an "e-quattro" torque-vectoring system that helps put its 1,002 Nm (650 Nm from the TDI and 352 Nm from the motors, aka 739 lb ft) to the ground properly should you give it the beans.

Dimensions for the little electric torque monster are 4.06 meters long, 1.81 m wide, and 1.11 m tall, all with a wheelbase of 2.43 meters. Like other Audi concepts, all the lights are LED and likely will be should a production version of this ever appear.

Audi says the four rings on the nose "disappear beneath the front hatch" to reveal a charging plug and a display showing the vehicle's charge. Inside, there'a bunch of technical wizardry feeding the display in the driver-centric layout, but nothing really worth writing home about.

Check out the pics below and let us know what you think. Hopefully, the reaction to the e-tron Spyder will be a wee bit more positive than the 'quattro concept' (which should have stolen the show).

By Phil Alex

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