Groupe Renault Chairman and CEO Carlos Ghosn have announced two steps forward in the company’s electrification of its Renault range, as outlined in the strategic plan Drive the Future: a new, affordable urban electric vehicle in 2019.
Carlos Ghosn also presented Renault’s vision for next-generation, on-board experiences with an exciting peek at the Augmented Editorial Experience that will be shown at the Paris Motor Show.
A pioneer and leader in 100 percent electric mobility, Groupe Renault unveiled showcar Renault K-ZE, a new global A-segment, SUV-inspired electric vehicle, capable of 250km NEDC – the best autonomy in its segment. It features a seductive, sporty design with assertive lines and a muscular, compact footprint. Beyond its attractive design, Renault K-ZE is also easy to charge thanks to a double charging system compatible with domestic plugs and public infrastructures. Renault K-ZE comes with a host of equipment maximizing the experience of driving an electric vehicle such as rear parking sensors, rear view camera and a central screen with connected navigation and services.
China is the largest and fastest-growing market for electric vehicles and Renault K-ZE will therefore come first in China. It will be manufactured locally by e-GT New Energy Automotive Co, the Joint Venture with Dongfeng Motor Group and Nissan created to develop and produce competitive electric vehicles for the Chinese market.
“Groupe Renault was a pioneer and is the European leader in electric vehicles. We are introducing Renault K-ZE, an affordable, urban, SUV-inspired electric model combining the best of Groupe Renault: our leadership in EV, our expertise in affordable vehicles and in forging strong partnerships”, explained Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and CEO of Groupe Renault.
Renault also confirmed its plans to further develop the electrification of its range in its 2020 product refresh cycle, offering hybrid on Clio and plug-in hybrid on Megane and Captur, giving consumers the possibility to go electric in the models they know and love. e-Tech, an innovative, 100 percent Renault in-house technology, enables Renault to offer hybrid versions on B and C segment models.
At press conference, Mr. Ghosn also discussed how on-board experiences evolve with the advent of new mobility. As mobility continues open up new possibilities for connected and autonomous cars, users will seek for more sophisticated on-board experiences to maximise travel time – personally and professionally. Demonstrating the next step in Renault’s investment stake in French media group Challenges, Mr. Ghosn revealed a new vision for the future of mobile content – an Augmented Editorial Experience (AEX). This immersive experience combining content, connectivity services, media and mobility, will turn travel time into a learning experience beyond driving and beyond the car itself.
“With the advent of connected, autonomous vehicles, customers will expect more of their traveling time. Experimenting with Groupe Challenges, we imagine what tomorrow’s connected, personalised mobility experience could be”, Carlos Ghosn explained. “Access to premium content delivered through unique on-board experiences for drivers and passengers will become key differentiators”.
An immersive Augmented Editorial Experience will appear on the Renault stand at the Paris Motor Show. Inside a full-size capsule, through 4 scenarios in a 222-degree projection, visitors will experience how their daily time spent in a car might be different, through the benefit of enhanced on-board experiences and premium, adaptive, personalised content developed by Groupe Challenges.
The AEX capsule sits alongside a new Renault luxury concept car, which is an electric, autonomous, connected robo-vehicle, making it effortless for people to imagine what the experience might be like in the autonomous drive car of the future.