A Royal birthday for Renault's ZOE.

• One year after its launch in December 2012, ZOE blew out its first candle at the Château de Versailles, Renault’s partner location.
• More than forty lucky owners will gather in the low gallery at Versailles, to talk about their experience with ZOE and conduct a first appraisal. 
• Named by EuroNCAP as the best supermini ZOE has already sold 10,000 units and has more surprises in store as we move into 2014…

An exceptional location for an exceptional car… The flagship vehicle in the Renault Z.E. range, ZOE is opening the gates of the Château de Versailles to celebrate its first birthday.

Following the partnership agreement signed by Renault and the Château de Versailles on July 29, 2013, almost 23 electric cars (10 Twizy, 10 Kangoo ZE, 3 ZOE) are used by employees (security guards for Versailles and Marly, gardeners, administration….). Thirty charging stations have been installed in the grounds. This partnership protects the environment of the gardens, and contributes to the comfort and safety of the 12 million annual visitors.

ZOE drivers are its best spokespeople. For this first anniversary, Renault received a huge and enthusiastic response when it invited owners to come and talk about their car and their experience with ZOE. Many believe that simply test driving an electric car is enough to make anybody want one: 98% of ZOE owners are satisfied and 97% would recommend it. Alongside driving pleasure, customers appreciate the comfort offered by ZOE: no noise, no vibrations and smooth acceleration (no gear shift).

In terms of safety, ZOE meets the highest standards. It was recently named “Best Electric Vehicle of 2013” by Euro NCAP, the independent test organization.

For Benoist, 50 years old, a doctor who loves new technologies, his car gives him a more relaxed approach to life: “I took delivery of ZOE, my first new car, just over a month ago, and I love it. The fact that it’s so smooth and quiet makes it really comfortable to drive. And it’s funny to see how ZOE attracts looks and smiles from people who are clearly intrigued by electric cars”.

Renault is a pioneer and leader on the electric vehicle market in Europe, with market share of over 40% and already 10,000 ZOE vehicles sold to date. With many other manufacturers now starting to build electric cars, Renault already has a full line-up of electric vehicles and remains well ahead of the field.

Starting 2014 with good news, for consumers buying a new ZOE, Renault is launching “ZOE Access”, a new battery rental service from €49/month, targeting drivers with low mileage.

EURO NCAP releases 2013 best in class winners.

Each year, Euro NCAP identifies the models tested that have achieved the highest scores in their respective class. In 2013, a total of 33 cars were tested in 7 different categories. The top achievers gained the highest overall scores, calculated from the results achieved in adult, child, pedestrian protection and safety assist tests.

The 2013 best in class cars are:

• Renault ZOE - Supermini
• Qoros 3 Sedan - Small Family
• Lexus IS 300h - Large Family
• Kia Carens and Ford Tourneo Connect - Small MPV
• Jeep Cherokee - Small off-road 4X4
• Maserati Ghibli - Executive

The Qoros 3 Sedan becomes the best performer of any car subjected to Euro NCAP's crash tests in 2013 and is the first vehicle developed in China to achieve the highest five star rating under the overall rating scheme. The Supermini electric car Renault ZOE and the Large Family car Lexus IS 300h were the all round performers of the electric/hybrid cars tested by Euro NCAP in 2013. This year, the best in class honour in the Small MPV category is shared by the Kia Carens and Ford Tourneo Connect. Finally, the Jeep Cherokee and the Maserati Ghibli also receive the coveted designation from Euro NCAP in the Small Off-Road 4X4 and Executive categories respectively.

In 2013, Euro NCAP updated its assessment of child occupant protection, giving credit to manufacturers that allow for easy installation of most popular types of child seats and which comply with the most recent revised child safety standards. Furthermore, the organization has started to test voluntary-set intelligent speed assistant systems as part of the rating.

Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP Secretary General, says: 'Euro NCAP is continuously evolving in response to industry innovation and consumer expectation. It is very positive that the number of 4 and 5 stars is still significant despite of the ever increasing requirements. In 2014, another big step forward is taken by adding crash avoidance systems such as Autonomous Emergency Braking and Lane Keep Assist/Lane Departure Warning tests to the overall star rating.' Michiel van Ratingen to add: 'The decision to reward collision avoidance technologies on new cars will encourage more widespread fitment and further improve the safety of all road users in Europe. We hope that this, together with very high levels of occupant protection, will allow consumers to choose the very safest vehicles in 2014 and after.'

Renault's ZOE presented with award at the Houses of Parliament.

Renault’s “brilliantly green” electric supermini ZOE proved she also has bite after being declared the new eco champion in awards presented at the Houses of Parliament today.

Naming ZOE the overall Green Apple Awards winner, in conjunction with The Green Organisation, which recognises and promotes environmental best practice around the globe, members of the Midland Group of Motoring Writers voted using the experience they have with vehicles and knowledge of the technology that lies behind them. The French brand’s star plug-in electric model also carried off the prize for small family cars.

One of the judges said multi-award winning ZOE "could be the car that makes people consider electric cars as a viable option” and that it’s “the most mainstream electric car yet”.

He added, "Quite apart from being brilliantly green, it could also be the car that starts making our city centres and shopping centre car parks zero emissions and environmentally friendly. Arguably, it is the most real-world option presented to buyers to make a decision on whether electric motoring is for them. For this, it’s doubly significant, and why it’s my overall winner.”

A fellow judge said, "ZOE is a wonderful mix of a smart looking small family car and the sort of technology that wins friends the first time it's driven. It made me smile and the overall running costs are likely to keep that grin on owners' faces for years."

Another added, "It's a simply brilliant new entrant in the search for zero emissions motoring and fully deserves to stand at the top of the podium at the Houses of Parliament."

Renault’s best-selling Z.E. model is rapidly becoming a darling of the auto industry awards circuit, having already picked up several trophies only five months since it hit UK showrooms. The electric supermini was crowned top electric car at the Scottish Car of the Year awards last month, named the most environmentally friendly fleet car at the well-established BusinessCar ‘Techies’, and drove away with the technology award at the Fleet World Honours.

Ian Donaldson, Midland Group chairman, said: "We did not ask members simply to list the most fuel efficient cars as measured by the official statistics demanded by law, and easily accessed by anyone looking to buy a new car.

"We all know from experience that these figures can be misleading, sometimes to an enormous degree. We wanted our nominations to reflect the real world that hard-pressed motorists must live in, far away from the theoretical figures of the rolling road laboratory."

The flagship vehicle of the French brand’s four-strong 100 per cent electric vehicle range is stylish, affordable and practical – perfect for commuting, supermarket and school runs, and for households who simply want to downsize their carbon footprint, as well as their running costs.

With an official NEDC range of 130 miles, the longest of any mass-market EV, and with a real-world range on a full charge of around 92 miles in temperate conditions or 64 in cold weather, ZOE is the first affordable car for everyday use to have been designed from the ground up as an electric vehicle. Well-equipped in every trim level, plus a free domestic 32 amp (7kW) ZE ready Single Wall-box, it’s priced deliberately to lure buyers out of conventionally-engined superminis, with an on-the-road price tag comparable to many diesel superminis. Prices start from £13,995 (after the UK Plug-In Car Grant), with battery hire from £70 per month.

Renault group increases 46% in ten months to October.

Renault UK group car sales, including Renault and Dacia brands, for the 10-month period of January to October increased a record 46.1 per cent to 49,154 units, up from last year’s total of 33,640, according to SMMT figures released today. In the peak month of September and in October, the first peak period with the new Clio and all-new Captur crossover, retail car sales for the Renault brand increased by a record 32.1 per cent and a record 97.1 per cent for the group versus 2012; outpacing the retail car market growth of 14.9 per cent in the same period.  In these two months, with the launch of Captur, the Renault brand increased its volume in the growing B-segment by a record 76.0 per cent.

Total group sales for October year-to-date, including vans, were 59,058 units, surpassing the 2012 Renault full-year total registrations of 55,685 units. Commenting on the results, Ken Ramirez, Renault UK Managing Director, said, “The milestone signals a clear turning point for the Renault group in the UK market and demonstrates the increased value of the franchise. The launch of Dacia this year certainly contributes significantly to this growth along with a renewed range of Renault models that have re-energised the brand. We owe our impressive growth to customers, both loyal and new to our brands, who continue to recognise the quality, appeal and value of our products.”

GROUP HIGHLIGHTS

• Renault Group posts a car sales increase of 46.1 per cent for October year-to-date with a market share of 2.5 per cent compared to the same period last year (49,154 in volume compared to 1.9 per cent share and 33,640 units last year)
• Group car sales for the 10-month period have now exceeded the full year 2012 volume
• Retail car sales for the Renault Group for the same period jump a record 75.7 per cent to 3.4 per cent share (35,341 units compared to 2.3% share and 20,104 units last year)
• For the peak month of September and in October, retail car sales for the Group increased by 97.0 per cent compared to the same period last year (12,314 units compared to 6,248 units last year)

RENAULT HIGHLIGHTS

• Renault car sales for the first 10-month period reach 36,081 and a share of 1.8 per cent, an increase of 7.3% compared to the same period last year
• In the peak month of September and in October, retail car sales for the Renault brand increased by a record 32.1 per cent versus the same period last year
• In the same two months, with Clio, Captur and ZOE, Renault’s volume in the B segment increased by a record 76.0% against a segment increase of 7.7%
• Clio sales in the peak month of September and in October rank it in sixth place in the five-door retail B-segment
• Captur sales for the same peak month of September and in October put it in third place in the B-SUV segment, behind the Nissan Juke and Mini Countryman.  It outsells Peugeot’s 2008 by more than two and a half times-to one. (3,085 sales compared to 1,225). 72.5 per cent of Captur sales are in the retail market

DACIA HIGHLIGHTS

• Dacia sales reach 13,073 to date from the brand’s launch in January this year
• The brand launched with Duster and Sandero initially, with Sandero Stepway arriving in May and Logan MCV in September.  It is the fastest growing brand to date this year.
• 96.8 per cent of Dacia sales are in the retail market where it has a share of 1.2 per cent year-to-date.  It is also the fastest growing retail brand this year
• Duster sales total 6,677 to date.  In the retail C-SUV segment, Duster is ranked in sixth position
• Sandero sales reach 4,507.  Sandero Stepway launched in May and has totalled 1,738 sales to date

Expanding sales and more profitable business channels are reinforcing the Group’s upward trend, with the icing on the cake being multiple award wins and media recognition for both brands. A selection of plaudits throughout the year have included:

• Record quadruple haul at Scottish Car of the Year Awards: Small Car (Clio), Crossover (Captur), Electric Car (ZOE) and Budget Car (Dacia Sandero)
• Dacia Duster: Caravan Club Awards 2014 ‘Special Award’ and Towcar of the Year’s ‘Best Budget 4x4’
• Twin What Car? Awards ‘Best Buy’ category wins for Mégane Renaultsport 265 Cup – ‘Best Hot Hatch over £22,000‘ and Dacia Sandero – ‘Best Supermini under £12,000’
• BusinessCar “Techies” - ZOE – ‘Green Category’ winner and Captur – ‘Best Crossover’ - in the Next Green Car Awards
• Renault also scored twice at 2013 Fleet World Honours: Best Small Car and Technology Award

Most recently, a record seven Group models featured in The Sunday Times driving supplement ‘Top 100 Cars’ (Captur wasn’t listed, most likely as there was no Crossover category). Among the editorial comments were highlights such as:

• Clio and Sandero in Top 10 Superminis -  “Choose the TCe and you’ll be reminded that Renault once made the best small cars in the world… it’s still the most fun standard French hatchback to go on sale for a decade or more.”
• ZOE in Top 10 Electric Cars & Hybrids - “…the car has much to recommend it.  It’s the cutest hatchback powered by electricity.” Twizy also made the cut in the same category.
• Clio Renaultsport 200 Turbo EDC raced into Top 10 Hot Hatches & Coupes, with Grand Scénic earning a place in Top 10 MPVs.
• Duster – Top 10 4x4s - “Its greatest strength is that it shows up the many other soft-roaders for the over-priced, under-achievers that they are.”

Scottish COTY - Renault take hat-trick of awards

Renault drove off with a record hat-trick of trophies at the Scottish Car of the Year awards in Glasgow last night.

Clio triumphed as best small car, Captur was named top crossover and ZOE completed a high voltage evening for the French marque after being crowned electric car of the year. Combined with sister brand, Dacia, according to the judges, it’s the first time a manufacturer has taken so many accolades in the 15-year history of SCOTY.

Collecting the awards at the glittering ceremony held at the Thistle Hotel, Mark Potter, Director, Northern Region, Renault UK, said: “To win three trophies is fantastic recognition for Renault north of the Border. We’ve had a great start to the year, especially with the arrival of our latest three superminis and the refreshed Scénic range. The greater shift towards economical, efficient cars is where our cars are really shining, and I’m delighted to accept these awards which prove that we’re really hitting the mark."

The Scottish Car of the Year Awards is run and judged by the 15 full members of the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers. Its president, Alisdair Suttie, said Renault is enjoying a “new-found confidence on the back of some impressive new releases” at the event, which also featured the iconic Clio – the company’s best-selling model, which continues to show-off its Va Va Voom.

He added: “Clio proves small really can be beautiful, with high fashion combined with low running costs. It also offers plenty of equipment and space mixed with real driving appeal.

“Renault Captur’s desirable good design mixes with space for the family plus some of the most efficient engines in the segment. These qualities ensured victory against a broad mix of models , some two-wheel-drive, some four and some offering the choice of either.”

Spiralling fuel costs and concerns about climate change have seen plug-in electric cars gaining an increasingly stronger presence in recent times, and once again the judges picked Renault’s flagship electric model, ZOE, as best of the bunch.

Alisdair said: “Cost has always been a problem with electric vehicles, but an innovative battery lease solution makes this year's winner a genuine alternative to a conventionally powered supermini.”

Earlier this year, Clio and ZOE picked up trophies for best small car and technology at the Fleet World Honours. Electric supermini ZOE was also named the most environmentally-friendly fleet car at the well-established BusinessCar ‘Techies’, while chic and cheerful newcomer Captur landed Renault a hat-trick of Next Green Car Awards.