Renault Zoe is no longer offered in Norway. By the first half of 2024, it will disappear for good from shop windows across Europe. There is no direct successor.
It is Fabrice Cambolive , head of the Renault division, who has informed the British motoring press. It is no surprise that the current Zoe will disappear. The model has been upgraded several times, but the rounded lines from 2012 are no longer modern. With no Zoe 2 planned, electric car buyers will have to find alternative cars in Renault's existing model range - currently the Mégane and Twingo. It could also be a car brand from Stellantis or China.
What about the new R5?
When Renault unveiled its new R5 concept in 2021, it was touted as the successor to the Renault Zoe. It still is, although it won't be launched until 2025, and definitely not as the Zoe 2. It seems obvious, though, that the R5 will fill the void left by the Zoe.
Driving around disguised as a Clio
Renault is currently testing the new R5 technology using the Clio model as a mule, including for winter testing in Arvidsjaur , Sweden. The CMF-BEV electric car platform is shared by Nissan and Renault. The engine is said to be 20 kg lighter than in the current Zoe and the battery pack will be both lighter and less bulky than the Zoe, - and also provide more rigidity in the chassis and better sound insulation. Another factor that will enhance the driving characteristics is the rear axle it inherits from the new Mégane E-Tech. Lately, Renault has given us several drops about the future, including recent images of the R5 attached to the stadium for the French Open 2023 where Renault is a Premium Partner.
Alpine A290 _β (beta)
Last weekend a large Alpine meeting was held at the factory in Dieppe, France, where more than 760 Alpine cars took part. Among other things, Alpine showed off its R5-based concept car Alpine A290 _β in daylight. This is an electric car created for rallying in line with other Alpine models. The car has a special seating arrangement with 3 seats where the driver sits forward in the middle. The seating arrangement is reminiscent of the McLaren F1.
Several models on the same platform
In addition to the new R5, Renault has shown off the 4ever crossover concept car , which is based on the same platform as the R5. The head of the Renault group, Luca de Meo , mentions both the R5 and the 4L in the context of the new strategy they call “Renaulution”. The 4L is a model that could be slightly smaller than the R5, but no drawings have yet been released – just speculation. The 4L – or “quatrelle” as it is called around the Mediterranean, is a collective term for all Renault 4s built throughout history.
Renault has - and has had - several iconic models. Renault 4 and 5 are probably examples of that. Some might argue that the Renault Zoe was also iconic. It was a pioneer in paving the way for electric cars for ordinary people. But Zoe thus disappears without any direct successor. Other iconic models that will also disappear at the same time as Zoe are Twingo and Espace. All three models introduced something new to the car market. Let's hope Renault doesn't replace them with boring models.
R5 looks promising!
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Renault.no
