What's all this about?
Renault has updated the Zoe and Twizy ranges with new trim grades that follow the same progression as the company's internal combustion vehicles. The changes coincide with the introduction of a new electric motor for certain models in the Zoe range.
So, what's new?
For the Zoe range the new trim levels are Expression Nav, Dynamique Nav and Dynamique Nav Rapid Charge. Renault's new electric motor, known as the R420, is fitted to the Expression Nav and Dynamique Nav while the Dynamique Nav Rapid Charge uses the original unit.
The new motor was developed in-house and is designed to be smaller, simpler and more efficient. Power and performance figures are unchanged; maximum power is 88hp with up to 220Nm of torque available. No 0-62mph time is quoted but the claimed 0-50mph figure is 8.6 seconds. On the New European Driving Cycle the R420 gives a range of 149 miles compared with 130 miles for the older drivetrain, which Renault says equates to between 71- and 106 miles of 'real world' driving.
Standard equipment on the Expression Nav includes R-Link voice-controlled satellite navigation with a seven-inch tablet touchscreen, climate control, Bluetooth, cruise control and rear privacy glass. Dynamique Nav adds a hands-free Keycard, rear parking camera, '3D digital' sound system, rear electric windows, a leather-rimmed steering wheel, 16-inch 'Aerotronic' alloy wheels and automatic lights and wipers. Dynamique Nav Rapid Charge can be recharged to 80 per cent of capacity in just 30 minutes through a 43kW charge point.
After the Government plug-in car discount the Zoe is available from £13,445.
What about the Twizy?
For the Twizy, new trim levels are Expression and Dynamique, while the Cargo remains unchanged. There are minor changes to trim, colours and wheels. Expression comes with a driver airbag, range and eco-score indicators, 'econometer', a 31-litre lockable storage area behind the rear seat, 13-inch 'Grey Snowflake' wheel trims, quick-demist heated windscreen, a lockable steering column, four-point front and three-point rear seatbelts and a lateral wind deflector. Dynamique supplements this with Gloss Black, Flame Orange or Urban Blue 13-inch Diamond alloy wheels and a choice of 14 two-tone colour collections for the wheel arches, seat covers and mirror housings. On-the-road prices for the Twizy start at £6,895.
John Lambert - 16 Jul 2015