Renault’s Z.E. Concept is your standard run of the mill concept electric vehicle that’s based on a production model with jazzed up styling so that it looks worthy to be called a concept. Instead of a petrol or diesel engine, the Renault Kangoo be bop that is the base for this concept is instead powered by a 94 horsepower electric motor with a peak torque of 226Nm, backed by lithium ion batteries. The press release does not state how this is charged so we can only assume it is a plug-in EV. All of this is pretty heavy though – the concept clocks in at 1,520kg unladen.
Perhaps more important than the run of the mill motor itself is how Renault plans to stretch the miles with a limited battery source.To help conserve battery power for the electric motor use, Renault has employed a few techniques to reduce power consumption by auxiliaries such as the lighting, heating and climate control.
Firstly, the Z.E. Concept’s bodywork functions like a Thermos flask. The body comprises of two insulating panels with a sandwich of air. This limits variations in temperature between the exterior and the interior. The internal temperature regulation system is powered by a solar panel on the roof.
As for heating, Renault plays on the psychological effect of generally feeling warmth if the face and hands are warm. So the heater system channels warmth to these key zones through means such as a heated steering wheel.
Aerodynamics have been improved by using low-energy cameras to replace wing mirrors and a special alloy wheel design that is low on drag. The headlamps use LEDs to reduce power consumption.
PHOTO GALLERY: Renault Z.E. Concept
Click thumbnails to view high resolution photo
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After dabbling for years in the IT industry, Paul Tan initially began this site as a general blog covering various topics of personal interest. With an increasing number of readers paying rapt attention to the motoring stories, one thing led to another and the rest, as they say, is history. An avid electronic gadget aficionado as well as big-time coffee lover, he's also the executive producer of the Driven motoring TV programme.
look ma, our e-persona is bigger, faster and further on a working model. It is perhaps cheaper as well! And they are in talks to get it in production.
Or it is simply too good to be true.
lovely ….
So this is Pinin’s Renault?
i want tat door unlocking mechanism on my car!!just show ur hand..it scans and te door opens up…cool..
Lego Lego Lego Lego!!!
They used to have this translucent green space set..
err..was that a paddle shifter or a handle? looks like some sort of handle to me though..haha~;p
one thing..too heavy for a small car…huhu…why dont they just use like a nuclear reactor like the one in ironman’s chest? LOL
why green anyway
too funky