PARIS — As partner Nissan pulled the wraps off its innovative Nuvu city car at the 2008 Paris Auto Show, French automaker Renault unveiled its own take on zero-emissions transportation: a practical city vehicle based on its new Kangoo be bop and dubbed the Z.E.
As a prelude to mass production and sales of electric vehicles in 2011, Renault is using the Z.E. as a rolling test bed for a number of technologies, including an advanced lithium-ion battery pack and a 70-kilowatt electric motor that delivers 167 pound-feet of torque.
Measuring only 156 inches long overall, the Z.E. features roof-mounted solar panels that help power such functions as air-conditioning and rearview cameras, as well as a unique Thermos-like construction, with a sandwich of air between two insulating body panels. Other energy-efficient technologies incorporated into the design include the use of heat-reflective paint as well as acid-green-tinted glass, both intended to reduce temperature fluctuations and thereby reduce the load on the electrical power system.
Polyurethane-gel bumpers are pedestrian-friendly, deforming on impact to absorb energy and reduce potential injuries.
The Z.E. rides on 245/35R21 Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires mounted on low-drag, full-disc alloy wheels.
Among other clever and innovative touches, the Z.E. employs a mobile-phone-based navigation system and a minimalist display panel, as well as an electric scooter packed in the cargo bay that can be charged directly from the vehicle's power supply.
What this means to you: Cute as a bug and surprisingly practical. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
Add A Comment »