About Renault K-ZE
In 2019, at the Shanghai Motor Show, the French automaker Renault unveiled a new electric vehicle in its lineup, the K-ZE, a small-sized crossover aimed at the urban B-segment.
After unveiling the Kwid in 2015, the French automaker made another move, and based on the same platform, it made the K-ZE. The nameplate itself was the abbreviation for the Kwid Zero-Emissions. This vehicle was the result of Renault’s cooperation with the Chinese industrial giant Dongfeng. In Europe, a badge-engineered model was known as the Dacia Spring. By creating the K-ZE, Renault entered deeply into the small-sized urban segment of the market with a crossover-like vehicle that sported a higher ground clearance than most of its competitors. In addition, it was the most affordable EV in the automaker’s stable.
The car’s front fascia featured a broad panel that stretched from side to side and sported the chromed Renault badge in the middle. Above it, the automaker installed the LED daytime running lights, while below, on the bumper, it placed the halogen headlights. This trend of mounting the parking and DRLs above the main headlamps was already present in other vehicles, such as the Nissan Juke, which pioneered it. Lower, on the apron, the automaker installed an A-shaped lower grille needed to cool the car’s electronics.
On its profile, the K-ZE sported black plastic molds around the wheel arches, emphasizing the car’s SUV inspiration. In addition, the higher ground clearance than most other vehicles in its segment made it more capable of coping with unpaved roads and potholes. A set of plastic trims adorned the door panels, protecting the bodywork from scratches caused by shopping carts. At the same time, above the vehicle, the automaker installed roof rails, while at the back, the tilted forward rear window featured a roof spoiler at the top. Finally, the corner-mounted LED taillights flanked the tailgate that extended downwards onto the bumper.
Inside, the dashboard’s main attraction was the eight-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system, while the driver fronted a well-arranged display for the instrument cluster. Despite the hard-plastic interiors and scratchy surfaces, the K-ZE was nicely designed and made to accommodate up to four passengers onboard. In the back, the folding bench seat could expand the trunk space, which otherwise could offer just 300 liters (10.6 cu-ft) of space. Even though it didn’t provide too many features or amenities, it was one of the lowest-priced vehicles on the Chinese market.
The car was built on the CMFA-EV platform developed together by Renault Alliance, Mitsubishi, and Dongfeng. It featured a 26.8 kWh battery pack that could ensure the vehicle a 271 km (168-mile) range. The motor that powered the front wheels developed 45 PS (44 hp).