Renault Zoe Heading To The Chopping Block, Making Room For The New R5 And Subsequent Clio

The Renault Zoe gained’t get a brand new era as a part of the French automaker’s effort to simplify its choices within the B-Phase. The small electrical hatchback, first launched again in 2012, will probably be discontinued after the top of the present mannequin’s lifecycle, giving strategy to the upcoming R5 and the following Clio fashions.

The information was confirmed by Fabrice Cambolive, Renault’s Chief Operation Officer, who spoke to Autocar in regards to the French automaker’s future product plans. Cambolive revealed that Renault’s totally electrical and hybrid fashions will co-exist within the foreseeable future. Extra particularly, he stated that “if wanted”, the Clio and the Captur will stay a part of the Renault lineup till 2035, as hybrid alternate options to the retro-styled R5 and R4 EV equivalents, that are anticipated to reach in 2025. This leaves no room for a Zoe alternative, resulting in its demise.

Learn: Renault Zoe EV Will get Gentle Updates For 2022

Cambolive recommended that the “excellent line-up” for the European market would consist of 4 EVs and 4 hybrids, with a single powertrain and two/three trim ranges for every mannequin. Studying between the traces, he most likely means the R5, R4, Megane, and Scenic finishing the EV entrance, with the Clio, Captur, Arkana, and Austral making the case for hybrids.

Again in January 2021, Laurens van den Acker, govt vice-president of Renault Group made a contradicting assertion in regards to the Zoe whereas chatting with Autocar: “Is it the top of the Zoe? The reply is not any, as a result of the Zoe is the best-selling EV in Europe. So, it might be foolish to cease automobiles which are best-selling of their phase.”

Acker’s feedback mirrored on the 380,000 items of the Zoe bought between 2012 and 2022, making it the best-selling EV in Europe throughout the previous decade, no less than in keeping with Renault. Nevertheless, regardless of the facelift in 2019 which gave it an extended vary, the supermini has began feeling just a little bit dated in comparison with the newer competitors. Additionally, if it remained on sale it might face extreme inner competitors from the similarly-sized and extra competitively priced Renault 5.

Renault hasn’t confirmed when it’s going to stop manufacturing of the Zoe which was final up to date in June 2022 gaining a brand new trim construction and extra commonplace equipment. The mannequin’s age and poor ADAS equipment performed an important position within the embarrassing zero-star security ranking by EuroNCAP final December.