At a time when reducing CO2 emissions is the order of the day, we see the first hybrid models by Renault hit the market — Clio, Captur and Mégane — which will be identified with the sub-brand E-Tech.
They may be the brand's first hybrids, but Renault is no stranger to electrifying the car, quite the contrary. It was, in fact, one of the pioneers in the democratization of the electric car with models such as the Fluence Z.E., the Kangoo Z.E. and, above all, with Zoe.
They may fall back on the same E-Tech tag and, in fact, they're all hybrids, but Clio's approach to hybridization is distinct from that used in Captur and Mégane.
Renault Clio E-Tech
THE Renault Clio E-Tech it is what is called nowadays a “full hybrid” (an expression used to distinguish them from mild hybrids), or what some are beginning to call a self-loading hybrid. What this means is that the battery charging is managed by the vehicle's own “brain”, and it is not possible to plug the car “to the mains” to do so.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Precisely the characteristic that distinguishes the Renault Capture E-Tech and Megane E-Tech , as they are plug-in hybrids, they already allow a greater electrical autonomy, of 50 km, thanks to a battery with much greater capacity. In the case of the Clio this has only 1.2 kWh (230 V) of capacity, while in the Captur and Mégane the battery is 9.8 kWh (400 V).
the engines
As hybrids, E-Techs combine two types of engines: an internal combustion engine with one (or more) electric. They all share the combustion engine, a 1.6 l four-cylinder unit tailored specifically for this solution.
The 1.6 works according to the Atkinson cycle, a cycle that prioritizes efficiency over performance, which justifies the modest 91 hp of power announced, with 144 Nm of maximum torque.
To this are added two electric motors. In the case of the Clio E-Tech, the first, more powerful, delivers 39 hp, while the second also serves as a generator and delivers 20 hp. In total, the Clio E-Tech delivers 140 hp of maximum combined power.
In the case of the Captur E-Tech and Mégane E-Tech, both use more powerful electric motors, respectively with 66 hp and the generator with 34 hp. The maximum combined power on both models is 160 hp.
No clutch and no synchronizers
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of Renault's new hybrids lies in their gearbox. Designated as a multimode gearbox, it comes with straight gears — a heritage from the Formula 1 world. In essence it's a manual gearbox, but here without synchronizers and without a clutch, with the gears being engaged by electric actuators, without driver intervention.
On one side of the case, there is a secondary shaft connected to the main electric motor, with two gear ratios. On the other side, there is a second secondary shaft, connected to the crankshaft of the gasoline engine and with four relations.
It is the combination of these two electrical and four thermal ratios — a total of 15 combinations or better, possible speeds — that allows the E-Tech system to function as a pure electric, as a parallel hybrid, series hybrid, to perform regeneration, assisted regeneration by the gasoline engine or running only with the gasoline engine.
How much do Renault E-Techs cost?
All that remained was to mention official consumption and CO2 emissions, which greatly benefited from the electrification of its kinematic chain. Thus, in mixed cycle (WLTP) Clio E-Tech announces 4.3 l/100 km and emits 96 g/km . With the electrical component in much more prominence, Captur E-Tech and Mégane E-Tech announce, respectively, 1.4 l/100 km and 32 g/km, and 1.3 l/100 km and 28 g/km.
Available in five equipment levels — Intens, RS Line, Exclusive, Edition One and Initiale Paris — the Renault Clio E-Tech will be sold at the same price as the versions equipped with the equivalent Blue dCi 115 diesel engine.
| Renault Clio E-Tech | |
|---|---|
| Version | Price |
| Intensities | 23 200 € |
| RS Line | €25,300 |
| Exclusive | 25 800 € |
| Edition One | €26 900 |
| Initiale Paris | €28,800 |
already the E-Tech Capture will be available in three gear levels: Exclusive, Edition One and Initiale Paris.
| Renault Capture E-Tech | |
|---|---|
| Version | Price |
| Exclusive | €33 590 |
| Edition One | €33 590 |
| Initiale Paris | €36,590 |
Finally, the Megane E-Tech it is also available in three versions: Zen, Intens and R.S. Line. For now it is only available as a van, or in Renault, Sport Tourer.
| Renault Mégane E-Tech Sport Tourer | |
|---|---|
| Version | Price |
| Zen | 36 350 € |
| Intensities | €37,750 |
| R.S. Line | €39,750 |