Renault Updates Zoe, Twizy Trim Levels

9 years, 3 months ago - 19 July 2015, Autoblog

The Renault electric vehicle lineup has long been the broadest in the industry. It was the first automaker to offer four different plug-in models. The company announced this week that it would spruce up the Zoe and Twizy lines with all-around better EVs.

That means more range, more standard equipment and new trim lines. Renault says the new electric lineup will be more like the company's internal-combustion vehicles and "create a more uniform grading structure across all the brand's models."

Let's start with the Zoe, which will now come in three versions: Expression Nav, Dynamique Nav, and Dynamique Nav Rapid Charge. The first two will have the new, Renault-designed and -built R240 motor, which will offer 240 km of range (on the official European NEDC test. The real-world distance will be around 115 km in the winter and 170 km in the summer), an increase of 29 km. The new rapid charging version keeps the old motor and so will only have an official range of 130 miles. It's wonderful that Renault is listing both the official and real-world range estimates for these plug-in cars.

Over on the quirky Twizy side of the ledger, the side-windowless EV now comes in Expression, Dynamique, and Cargo flavors. The updates are more cosmetic than in the Zoe (new colors, wheels, etc.).