Renault took advantage of the Annual General Meeting of its shareholders today in Paris, France, to unwrap a more production-like version of its Kangoo Be Bop Z.E. concept that was first seen at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. What's really significant about this new prototype is that it features technology very similar to what will be used on the first all-electric Nissan vehicle due to be launched in the USA and Japan in 2010 and the rest of the world from 2012, as well as the equivalent Renault EVs in 2011, beginning with a family saloon in Israel, and a utility version of New Kangoo in Europe.
Derived from the production Kangoo Be Bop, the Z.E. (short for Zero Emissions) is powered solely by a 44kW (60HP) electric motor that revs to 12,000rpm and is coupled to a reducer which replaces the traditional gearbox.
The system deploys a set of lightweight and compact-sized lithium-ion batteries produced by AESC (Automotive Electric Supply Corporation), a Nissan-NEC joint venture which was founded in April 2007. Thanks to their compact size, the batteries can be positioned in various places in the car. In the case of the Be Bop, the batteries are located underneath the dashboard. Renault claims that the AESC battery pack is expected to deliver between 80 and 100 per cent of its original capacity for a duration of six years.
In the Kangoo prototype, the 15kWh battery delivers a range of approximately 100km or 62miles, but the French automaker supports that when released, the production Renault and Nissan electric vehicles will profit from an evolution to their battery technology which will take their real-world range to 160km or about 100 miles.
The batteries are charged through socket located behind a flap at the front of the vehicle alongside the right-hand headlamp. The cable plug allows two different battery-charging modes, a conventional charge via a household mains supply (10A or 16A 220V) that takes between six to eight hours and the so-called quick charge using a 32A 400V three phase socket, enabling up to 80 per cent charge in around 30 minutes.
However, Renault said that it is also working with the German group RWE to develop a universal standard, three phase plug that can be used with a 400V supply and will enable a complete charge in just 20 minutes.
To further improve the Kangoo's efficiency, the latest Be Bop Z.E. prototype benefits from a series of measures that include reworked aerodynamics with the ground clearance lowered by 20mm compared to the standard model. Unique features on the prototype include linear displays on the exterior part of the doors that show how much charge is left in the battery while inside, a gauge to the left of the instrument panel provides the driver with a permanent indication of how much battery charge remains.
The best description we could think of for Renault’s Paris Show Z.E. concept car is a Kangoo of the not-so distant future. And truly enough, the Z.E., which by the way stands for Zero Emissions, is indeed based on the new Kangoo Be-Bop that also made its world premiere at the More specifically, the Z.E. is equipped with a 70kW (95hp) electric motor which delivers torque of 226Nm with energy being provided by a latest generation set of lithium-ion type batteries.
Other notable features on the Z.E. Concept is include the use of heat-reflective paint and insulating bodywork that limits variations in temperature between the exterior and the interior of the car and the roof top solar panels that power a temperature regulation system.
The latest model to join Renault’s Kangoo family is the all-new Be-Bop which is essentially the production version of last year’s Kangoo Compact Concept. Scheduled to be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show, the four-seat Be-Bop with the cool two-tone paint scheme comes equipped with a large sliding glazed roof and rear tailgate window that rolls down for a near-convertible experience. Hit the jump below to watch the official video or click here to read our detailed post on the Be-Bop that also includes a high-resolution image gallery. -Continued
This funky looking three-door minivan is the Kangoo be-bop and it will be officially unveiled at this week’s Paris Motor Show. Based closely on the Kangoo Compact Concept that was revealed at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, the latest addition in the Kangoo family features the same convertible roof configuration seen on the prototype car, with a fully glazed, forward-sliding roof and a retractable rear window. -ContinuedThe model also comes with fully adjustable and removable individual rear seats that are mounted 9cm higher than the front seats, producing an amphitheatre arrangement. The capacity of the luggage compartment ranges from 174 to 1,462dm3 depending on whether the seats are in their rearmost or foremost position.
According to Renault, passengers can access the rear seats either through the front doors, using a handle that folds down the back of the front seats or if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, by climbing into the rear seats through the open tailgate and the gap between the rear seats. Just be careful you don’t get into any sticky situations.
The Kangoo be bop differs from its sibling by being shorter at 3.87 meters, as well as through some styling details, like the two-tone paint job, the black headlamp masks, the restyled bumpers, and 16-inch alloy wheels along with the higher ground clearance that has been raised 20mm compared with the conventional Kangoo.
Powertain options will include two diesel engines, the 85HP 1.5-liter dCi and the 100HP 1.5-liter dCi which comes with a particulate filter and drives through a six-speed gearbox and the petrol 105HP 1.6-liter unit.
