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 Preshow: Renault and Fashion House Miss Sixty Create Twingo for the Girls

Billed as the first "all-feminine" and "most glamorous" of all Twingo limited editions, the Twingo Miss Sixty is the result of collaboration between Renault and Miss Sixty, the international fashion label of Italy's Sixty group. The fashionista Twingo's world premiere will take place on the Renault stand at next week's Paris Motor Show before launching into the European market in November 2010.

The Twingo Miss Sixty will be available in two unique exterior colors, Bohemian Pink or Pearlescent black, with the interior detailed in pink and black, giving it what Renault describes as a "sultry glam'rock look".

Aside from the Miss Sixty brand logos, other highlights include a pink-rimmed tachometer and speedometer, a pink-stitched leather steering wheel and pearlescent black door mirror housings.

Further details and pricing will be announced at next week's Paris Motor Show.

Renault Inaugurates New Vehicle Test Center in Romania

The Renault Group has opened a brand new test facility in Titu, Romania. Built on a 330-hectare site located between the Dacia plant in Pitesti and the Renault Technologie Roumanie (RTR) engineering center in Bucharest, the Titu Technical Center will complement the company's Aubevoye and Lardy test centers in France.

According to Renault, the new facility will focus on testing for vehicles and powertrain components from the B0 platform that underpins the low-cost Dacia Logan.

The center is said to have 100 benches for testing vehicles and components such as shock absorbers, running gear and powertrains. The benches can simulate extreme conditions, testing the ability to withstand cold, and simulating sunlight, rain, and other situations.

In addition, the center has ten types of tracks including a speed circuit, uneven road surfaces, an underbody impact zone and wading troughs, which make up a total length of 32 km or about 20 miles.

Renault said the first teams arrived at the Romanian facility in June 2010, and the workforce will increase to 300 people before the end of the year. The first track tests are planned for October 2010.

Carscoop Reader Chops Renault Latitude Cabrio Prior to Flagship Sedan's Paris Debut

Renault's new Latitude mid-size sedan will make it western European debut in Paris very soon, so now's about the time for people to start photoshopping to their hearts' content to see how Renault's funky hit-and-miss lineup can be improved.

In this case, a reader sent in his take on a 4-door Latitude-based cabrio. Other than the poppin' orange paint and lack of a roof, some nice additional design elements show up in the form of front fascia-mounted LED running lights, a narrower grille, and the flat black trunk lip spoiler. Other additions include larger rims and the requisite sleekification of an average-looking mid-size sedan.

Combine the two images - that is, add the nice details from the convertible onto the sedan - and Renault could have its average-looking flagship's appearance be a little more luxurious. As for 4-seat convertible, it's far from realistic; overall a neat chop, but Renault's already got the Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet 4-seater convertible. That, and the market for 4-door convertibles is toast.

By Phil Alex

Photoshop courtesy of Carscoop reader Lil-K

Paris Show: Renault Debuts Production Twizy, the Electric Scooter Car

Welcome to the Twizy, Renault's third model in its Zero Emissions lineup after the Fluence Z.E. and Kangoo Van Z.E. The little city car pod is an all-electric mix between a scooter and a car, allowing for clean and efficient city driving thanks to its 20-horsepower / 42 lb-ft (57 Nm) electric motor. That helps it reach a top speed of 47 mph after it has charged for 3.5 hours.

Renault plans to build the tandem two-seat Twizy in Valladolid, Spain for a late-2011 European release (early 2012 in the UK), and orders can be placed online right now at the official Z.E. site. Aimed at urbanites looking for an adorable second car, Renault says it may also be suitable for teen drivers as a pre-car car. How? it may be drivable in some countries with a lower top speed of 28 mph and without a driving license (feel free to discuss that below).

Since the Twizy is a very open car, additional door panels will be available to seal the lower area should harsh weather show up. For practicality, storage is located under the rear seat (31 liters that's expandable to 55 liters) and on either side of the steering wheel (3 liters). Behind the steering wheel you'll see a display housing an "econometer", available range, and other necessary stats.

Safety features include the collapsible pod set within the four wheels, a driver airbag, and 4- and 3-point harnesses (front and rear, respectively).

The three Twizys shown at Paris were designed by Renault to emphasize the customization possibilities available to consumers; they include the Twizy Dot Dot (providing an "emphasis on elegance"), the Circuit (with a sci-fi touch), and the Totem (the automotive equivalent of a tribal tattoo). There will be nine more customized virtual Twizys online, with the highest-rated design getting its own limited edition when the car debuts.

Here's a list from Renault describing who the typical Twizy buyer will be:

-Busy, car-owning city dwellers looking for a second vehicle
-Younger drivers interested in a safe way to gain experience in traffic
-City dwellers looking for a stylish yet particularly practical vehicle
-Sensitive to new design trends

If Renault's PR guys have you locked down and pretty well described, then the Twizy may just be for you.

By Phil Alex

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