Renault has unveiled the production version of teh Kwid EV at the ongoing 2019 Shanghai Motor Show in China. The new EV is based on the K-ZE...
Renault has unveiled the production version of teh Kwid EV at the ongoing 2019 Shanghai Motor Show in China. The new EV is based on the K-ZE concept that was unveiled last year and is the electric offering smallest yet from the French automaker. The Renault City K-ZE is based on the same CMF-A platform as the India-spec Kwid, but is specific to the Chinese market for now. The electric hatchback though is being evaluated for the European markets but won't make it there before 2021. Sales in China though will commence later this year.
The Renault City K-ZE is identical to the India-spec Kwid but does get styling changes
Compared to the standard Renault Kwid, the City K-ZE electric vehicle gets changed to the underpinnings to accommodate the batteries and an electric motor. While Renault hasn't revealed the battery and motor specifications yet, the company does say that the car can be charged using the standard 220V domestic and plug charging points. In the fast charging mode, the City K-ZE is capable of being charged up to 80 per cent in 50 minutes, while the slow charging mode will see batteries fully charged in four hours. The range is estimated to be about 240 km on the electric hatchback.
The drive selector replaces the rotor dial while all the other components have been carried over
Visually, the Renault City K-ZE is identical to the Kwid and even carries over several elements from the concept version. The grille has been tweaked and makes way for the diamond logo up front, while the headlamps are sleek and sharper and get the LED treatment. The Kwid EV also replicates the split headlamp design that is now increasingly becoming popular, and gets the nicely styled alloy wheels as well. Compared to the standard Indian version, the City K-ZE gets a lower ground clearance of 150 mm.
The Renault City K-ZE's cabin is identical to the Kwid and gets the 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 4G internet with navigation and voice control. The overall dimensions remain the same, and so does the boot capacity of 300 litres. Unlike the Kwid AMT, the K-ZE gets a standard drive select instead of the rotor dial. There is an quality control system as well that circulates the interior and exterior air depending on the air quality in the cabin. Other features include a tyre pressure monitoring system and reverse camera on the K-ZE EV.
Renault is aiming to sell 550,000 electric cars in China by 2022 and the City K-ZE is expected to bring a major chunk of those volumes. The car will be built in China as part of a joint venture between Renault, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Chinese car maker Dongfeng. Renault India has announced no plans of introducing the Kwid EV here anytime soon, but we do hope the company considers the same with the push of electric vehicles in the coming years.
from NDTV CarAndBike - Latest News http://bit.ly/2KCR3NE
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