PARIS – Renault next week is expected to reveal a pre-production or concept version of a full-electric compact SUV, the first model from the brand on the new CMF-EV platform.
The automaker released an image of a light signature on social media but provided no other details. Renault is holding a livestreamed event called EWays starting Oct. 15 to unveil its EV strategy under new CEO Luca de Meo.
In addition to the SUV, the Dacia Spring electric city car is likely to be shown. The Chinese-built Spring is the first EV from budget brand Dacia; it is a version of the Renault K-ZE first shown at the Paris auto show in 2018. The Paris show, held every two years, is not being held this autumn because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Spring is based on the Renault Kwid sold in India, Brazil and several other emerging markets. Pricing on the Spring is eagerly awaited, after former Renault CEO Thierry Bollore suggested in 2019 that Renault was preparing to sell an EV for around 10,000 euros. Chinese versions of the vehicle for Renault’s joint venture partners sell for around 8,000 euros.
Nissan has already announced its first vehicle on the CMF-EV platform, the Ariya compact SUV. The alliance says the platform allows for more interior space because the wheels are pushed out toward the corners. The batteries are integrated into the flat floorplan.
The Nissan Ariya is the first alliance vehicle on the CMF-EV platform.
The Dacia Spring has a charging outlet in the right front fender. Dacia says its lighting design is a preview of a new look for the brand, with narrow horizontal LED headlights set above separate running lights.
Renault’s first model on the platform will be built in France starting by around the end of 2021 or early 2022.
De Meo is likely to provide details at a news conference on Oct. 15, his first public presentation after becoming Renault CEO on July 1. The brand displayed its future EV design language with the Morphoz crossover concept in February.
Renault was a pioneer in mass-market electric vehicles with the Zoe small hatchback in 2013, but the model is now almost eight years old. The Zoe led European EV sales in the first eight months with 52,435 units sold, but the segment is expanding rapidly, including direct competitors to the Zoe such as EV variants of the Peugeot 208 and Opel Corsa.
Volkswagen, notably, is pushing ahead with the ID line of EVs, starting with the ID3 compact-sized hatchback, followed by the ID4 SUV.
Renault Group invested 1 billion euros ($1.2 billion) in 2018 to prepare its French production sites to make electric vehicles and components. The coming compact SUV will be built at its assembly plant in Douai in northern France, which now builds larger models such as the Espace and Talisman – both of which may not be renewed under de Meo’s coming strategic plan.
