Renault Zoe Preview (2010): the electric supermini

This is the new Renault Zoe concept car, a ‘90% ready’ preview of an electric supermini that will go on sale from 2012. It’s just been unveiled at the 2010 Paris motor show.

It did, but it also admitted that that car was very much a flight of fancy with its enormous butterfly doors. This five-door concept is much more realistic, and we’re promised that 90% of what we see will be carried over to the production car. Thus you can expect the new, dominant diamond nose to stay, along with the general look of the car, but don’t expect such fancy lights or such a funky interior.

In the concept lithium-ion batteries power the electric motor, and have enough juice for a 100-mile range. The motor itself manages 60kW but also 164lb ft, enough instant electric grunt to shift this 1392kg Zoe concept to 62mph in 8.1 seconds. The top speed is 84mph.

Concept car touches include a climate control system that adjusts the humidity to stop your skin dehydrating, a toxicity sensor that filters harmful substances, a scent diffuser created in association with L'Oréal, and a well-being light co-developed with Philips.

By Ben Pulman