Over the years, we have seen the Renault->ke72 ZOE make its way into various car shows as a concept car, but nothing ever really came of it. Here we are approaching the 2013 model year and finally, Renault is announcing that it is releasing its first production bespoke EV car in the form of the oft-teased ZOE->ke3520. Sure, it’s no Ferrari or Lamborghini, or even a Tesla for that matter, but it is progress toward removing ourselves from exhaustible oil.

It is rather surprising to see electric vehicles taking their sweet time developing in European market, as those countries have been hit the hardest and longest with inflated gasoline prices. European buyers and automakers have been relying more on building high-efficiency diesel and gasoline engines, while us folks in the U.S. have focused more on the EV and hybrid routes.

The real question here is can the Renault ZOE make enough of an impact to pull buyers away from these ultra-economical petrol and diesel models? And can the ZOE help start the domino effect that the Prius did here all those years ago?

Click past the jump to read all about the Renault Zoe and get answers to these questions.

2013 Renault ZOE

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2013 Renault ZOE
  • Horsepower: 48
  • Transmission: Direct Drive
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

On the outside of the ZOE, you get a pretty standard European supermini hatchback with a modern twist. Renault took great strides to make sure the ZOE stands out in a crowd, giving it a rounded face, super-modern headlights with LED daytime running lamps, and a pair of cheekbone-like side marker lights. At the base of the fascia, you get a small mouth that completes the car’s rather impressive face.

Down the side of the ZOE, you start to see the plain old Euro hatchback stamping come into play. Only a few minor styling keys, like the hidden rear door handle and swooping body line on the rear door, stand out. The rest of its side profile is pretty much “Blah.”

Unfortunately, Renault didn’t offer up a view of the ZOE’s backside, as it looks rather interesting from what we can see of it. We’re sure we’ll get a glimpse of it soon enough though.

Renault doesn’t get into what rims come standard on the base Expression model, but you can add on 16-inch Aerotronic wheels for £310 ($498 at the current exchange rates). For an added fee, you can opt for 17-inch Tech Run alloy wheels. This optional kit has a buy in of £400 ($643 at the current exchange rates).

A common safety concern for people with EVs is the fact that they are so quiet that pedestrians may not hear you coming and walk out without looking. Renault addressed this by including “Z.E. Voice” standard. Z.E. voice is an alarm system that is audible from 1 mpg to 18 mph. The driver can choose from one of three different alarm sounds, or he can turn it off altogether if he wants to be a little sneakier.

Standard Exterior Equipment on Expression

-Z.E. Voice

-Renault Keycard

-Tinted Rear Windows

-RAID Automatic Door Locks

Standard Exterior Equipment on Dynamique Intens and Dynamique Zen

-16-Inch Aerotronic Alloy Rims

-Renault Keycard W/ Hands-Free Functionality

-Automatic Headlights

-Automatic Wipers

-Rear Parking Sensors

-Rear Parking Camera (Intens Only)

Optional Exterior Equipment on Expression

MSRP

16-Inch Aerotronic Alloy Wheels

£310

Renault i.d. Paint

£300

Metallic Paint

£460

Renault i.d. Metallic Paint

£600

Automatic Headlights and Wipers

£165

Renault Keycard W/ Hands-Free Functionality

£300

Rear Parking Sensors

£350

Easy Pack (Rear Parking Sensors, and Automatic Headlights and Wipers

£275

Comfort Pack (Renault Keycard W/ Hands-Free Functionality and Power Rear Windows)

£245


Optional Exterior Equipment on Dynamique Intens

MSRP

17-Inch Tech Run Alloy Wheels

£400

Renault i.d. Paint

£300

Metallic Paint

£460

Renault i.d. Metallic Paint

£600


MSRP

MSRP

17-Inch Tech Run Alloy Wheels

£400

Rear Parking Camera

£310

Renault i.d. Paint

£300

Metallic Paint

£460

Renault i.d. Metallic Paint

£600


Interior

With the complexity of electric cars, we often see their interiors become very cluttered and confusing, leaving the driver to feel like he’s in a space shuttle rather than a car. Renault took a rather calm approach with the ZOE, fitting it with its own R-Link system that includes a 7-inch screen in the center stack, steering-wheel-mounted buttons, and voice recognition to help clean up some of the car’s functions.

The dashboard area is clean and clear, only featuring the R-Link interface and basic climate-control knobs. The dashboard features a three-tone setup with a dark undertone highlighted by a lighter insert that is surrounded by a third accent color, in the Dynamique Zen trim level. This tri-tone format continues throughout the inside of the car – on the door panels, steering wheel. and gear shifter. Unfortunately, we don’t get a look at the base dashboard setup, but we’re sure it doesn’t vary too much.

A really neat optional feature is that the ZOE will heat or cool itself while the car is charging. This eliminates the need to drastically cool or heat the cabin once you start driving, which can have a big impact on battery consumption.

For a relatively low-priced EV, the Renault ZOE comes relatively well equipped. It comes standard with an 80-watt, four-speaker stereo system, R-Link with TomTom navigation, USB port, Bluetooth connectivity, climate control, cruise control, ISOFIX mountings on passenger and outer rear seats, TFT gauges, and tilt and telescoping wheel.

Given the fact that Renault pretty much packed the base model to the gills, the Dynamique trims only add minor details. Things like a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a 140-watt stereo. On the Intens trim level, you get “Intens” dark interior ambience. On the Zen model, Renault tosses in the “Zen” light interior ambience (pictured) with Teflon seat protection and “Zen Take Car by Renault,” which adds in an active scent diffusor, ionizer, and a toxicity sensor.

Standard Interior Equipment on Expression

-80-Watt, Four-Speaker Stereo System

-R-Link W/ TomTom Navigation

-USB Port

-Bluetooth Connectivity

-Climate Control

-Cruise Control

-ISOFIX Mounts (Passenger Seat and Outer Rear Seats

-TFT Gauges

-Tilt and Telescoping Wheel

Standard Interior Equipment on Dynamique Intens and Dynamique Zen

-Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel

-140-Watt Stereo

-“Intens” Dark Interior Ambience (Intens Trim Only)

-“Zen” Light Interior Ambience W/ Teflon Seat Protection (Zen Trim Only)

-“Zen Take Car by Renault” (Active Scent Diffusor, Ionizer and a Toxicity Sensor) (Zen Trim Only)

Optional Interior Equipment on Expression

MSRP

140-Watt Radio

£250

Z.E. Interactive (Remote Battery Charging and Air Conditioning/Heating Activation

£150

Z.E. Digital (Remote Access to R-Link Store)

£25

Western Europe Map for TomTom

£110

TomTom Live Services (3 Year Subscription

£125


MSRP

MSRP

Western Europe Map for TomTom

£110

TomTom Live Services 3 Year Subscription

£125


Motor, Battery, and Drivetrain

Under the hood of the ZOE houses a synchronous electric motor that produces up to 65 kW (88 horsepower) and 220 Nm (162 pound-feet) of torque immediately. That’s one of the wonders of electric cars; there is virtually no torque band at all, just straight to full power. Renault did not offer up a 0-to-60 time but it did release that its top speed is 84 mph.

Because the ZOE is direct-drive, like most electric vehicles, its acceleration is smooth and shift free. The total range of the ZOE is 130 miles, but Renault stays honest by clarifying this is only a reference. In real-world driving, Renault claims a 60-mile range in cold-weather city driving and 90 miles when driving in warmer climates in the city.

The ZOE’s Chameleon Charger is compatible with all power levels up to 43 kW, so there is no need to fumble around with buying adaptors. The charging time depends on the type of charging station you use, but it ranges from 30 minutes to nine hours.

Motor and Drivetrain Specifications:

Motor

Synchronous Electric Motor

Motor Output

65 kW (88 Horsepower)

Motor Torque

220 Nm (162 Pound-Feet)

Transmission

Direct Drive

Range

130 Miles (NEDC Cycle), 60 to 90 Miles (Renault “Real World” Claim)


Pricing

The beautiful thing about the Renault ZOE is its pricing. It starts off as low as £14,444.44 ($23,241 at the current rates) with a tax credit that drops its price to £13,650 ($21,962 at the current rates). It does range upward from there, depending on the trim level you select.

On top of the base price, you will need to lease the battery, which ranges from £70 ($112 at the current rates) per month to £113 ($181 at the current rates) per month.

Pricing Details:

Model

Base Price

VAT

Total Price

PiCG

Price after PiCG

Delivery Fee

First Registration

OTR Price

Expression

£14,444.44

£2,888.89

£17,333.33

£4,333.33

£13,000

£595

£55

£13,650

Dynamique Zen

£15,666.67

£3,133.33

£18,800

£4,700

£14,100

£595

£55

£14,750

Dynamique Intens

£15,666.67

£3,133.33

£18,800

£4,700

£14,100

£595

£55

£14,750


Battery Leasing:

Contract term

Up to 7,500 Miles

9,000 Miles

10,500 Miles

12,000 Miles

36+ Months

£70

£77

£85

£93

24 Months

£80

£87

£95

£103

12 Months

£90

£97

£105

£113


Competition

The EV competition in the UK isn’t quite as stiff as it is here in the U.S., but that doesn’t mean it’s non-existent. A key competitor for the Renault ZOE will be the Mitsubishi->ke58 i-MiEV. Let’s start off with the plain fact that the i-MiEV just looks silly and the ZOE looks like a pretty conventional car – there is no doubting that. In fact, looks have been one of the more polarizing parts of EVs, as EV builders seem to think their buyers want oddly shaped cars.

In terms of performance, the i-MiEV features a 49 kW (66-horsepower) electric motor that also twists out 180 Nm (133 pound-feet) of torque, so it comes in well under the Renault. Its 81 mph top speed and NEDC Cycle of just 93 miles also puts it at a disadvantage. Lastly, the i-MiEV comes in at a heavier £23,990 ($38,599) price tag, putting it well above the ZOE.

Honestly, there is not real “good light” to shine on the Mitsubishi i-MiEV when comparing it to the Renault ZOE, unless you are one of those “special” people that simply needs a car that looks like it was ripped straight from “The Jetsons.”

Conclusion

With the growing need for electric-powered cars, it is good to see Renault stepping up with a full-line EV to complement its Twizy. Plus to build one that looks like a normal car and doesn’t scream “look at me” is a nice change of pace for the EV world. Why on Earth do auto manufacturers insist on making EVs look so damn weird? Thank you, Renault, for stopping this trend.