Renault’s All-Electric Fluence Z.E And Kangoo Van Z.E

Hybrid/Electric, New Cars, South Africa | Dean | April 16, 2010 at 02:20

Renault has revealed their brand new all-electric Fluence Z.E. and Kangoo Van Z.E. models. These are both electric cars which should hit the South African market, amongst others, around 2011.

The Fluence Z.E. will be built in Turkey, in the same building as the normal Fluence model.

The French automaker will use a 70kW motor with 226Nm of torque to move the front wheels through a direct drive gearbox. A lithium-ion battery, with the capacity of 22kW/h, will weigh in at 250kg and this will sit behind the rear seats.

Charging can take place in three different ways: in a household which takes six to eight hours, a fast charging station which takes about 30 minutes, or a QuickDrop battery system which is a physical battery swap.

There will be energy recovery systems and this will charge the car as it decelerates.

Renault said that the Fluence Z.E. will have a driving range of 160km, and the top speed is limited to 130km/h.

Changes compared to the naturally aspirated model include blue-hue on the headlamps, tail lamps and fog lamps. New logos and new gloss black exterior mirrors.

The rear bumper will have a black diffuser aimed at lowering turbulence.

Renault’s Kangoo Z.E. will use a 44kW electric motor with 226Nm of torque. There will be lithium ion batteries beneath the floor. The battery will also have a driving range of 160km, with a charging time of six to eight hours.