Renault to use the Brussels Motor Show to debut two new Z.E Commercial Vehicles.

• Global debuts at the Brussels Motor Show for New Kangoo Van Z.E. and Master Z.E.
• New Kangoo Van Z.E. now has 168 mile range (NEDC) – up over 50% & longest of any electric LCV
• New Kangoo Van Z.E. allows for faster charging times with a new 7kW 32A charger making it more practical for business users. Full charge now takes only six hours.
• New Kangoo Van Z.E. has gained a new Z.E.33 (33kWh) battery, a new R60 (44kW) motor and is the first electric LCV to be equipped with a heat pump, allowing it to maintain autonomy in cold weather
• Kangoo Van Z.E. has been Europe’s best-selling small electric van for the past six years
• Master Z.E. has been created to primarily satisfy last-mile urban distribution & municipal needs
• Master Z.E. will bring the expertise of Renault, European leader in EVs, to the large van segment
• Master Z.E. is equipped with a Z.E.33 (33kWh) battery mated to the R75 (57kW) motor enabling a range of 124 miles (NEDC).  A full charge from a 7kW Wall Box takes six hours.
• Master Z.E. will be available in four versions – three lengths and two heights
• New interactive apps available such as My Z.E. Connect Pro – a specialised service for businesses
• New Kangoo Van Z.E. will go on sale in Europe from mid-2017
• Master Z.E. will arrive in the European market at the end of 2017

Renault Pro+ has premiered two new electric commercial vehicles – the Master Z.E. and New Kangoo Van Z.E. The company has also expanded its range of connected services for commercial customers as well as its specialist network. With three electric light commercial vehicles (LCV) – Twizy Cargo, New Kangoo Van Z.E. and Master Z.E. – this range is unique in the world.

“Renault Pro+ is market leader in electric LCV sales in Europe. With New Kangoo Van Z.E. and Master Z.E., Renault Pro+ is continuing to expand its tailor made offering dedicated to professional customers, while developing connected services for business users. We are confident that our professional customers will experience our Zero Emission¹ connected vans which will significantly contribute to better business as well as driving experience.”

Kangoo Z.E. has been Europe’s best-selling small electric van for six years, with more than 25,000 units sold since its launch in October 2011. New Kangoo Van Z.E. gains a new battery and a new motor. New Kangoo Van Z.E. now delivers a range of 168 miles (NEDC) compared with 106 miles previously. New Kangoo Van Z.E. is built in France and will be marketed in Europe from mid-2017. 

In the heavy van segment, the electric vehicle offering is currently limited. With Master Z.E., Renault Pro+ is building on its expertise and position as European leader in electric vehicles to bring customers a solution in electric mobility. Master Z.E. is built in France and will arrive on the European market towards the end of 2017.

Kangoo Z.E. is a pioneer and leader in the small electric van segment in Europe and Renault’s small electric van has won an array of awards including International Van of the Year 2012. Professional environmentally aware users have expressed their full satisfaction with Kangoo Z.E., praising its driveability, load capacity and competitive costs.

New Kangoo Van Z.E. is available in the same range of versions as Kangoo Z.E. The same range of body styles, equipment levels and options are available (two lengths: 4.28m and 4.66m, two or five seats, a crew cab, four versions). New Kangoo Van Z.E. still has a load volume of between 3 and 4.6 m3 with a payload of 650 kg. 

It can still be converted to meet the needs of business users (refrigerated vehicle, ambulance or pick-up, for example). It combines the smooth driveability of an electric vehicle with the simplicity of an automatic gearbox. 

New Kangoo Van Z.E. features major innovations: a new battery, new motor and a new more powerful charger, a heat pump in the air conditioning system and new connected services. 

New Kangoo Van Z.E. has a greater available range than any other electric LCV. A new battery allied with a new motor, to go even further - New Kangoo Van Z.E. is increasing its range with its new ‘Z.E.33’ battery (33 kWh) - New Kangoo Van Z.E. has a range of 168 miles (NEDC) versus 106 miles for the previous Kangoo Z.E. 

- Renault estimates that in real world use, on a delivery cycle2 , the vehicle would have a range of 124 miles with a single load. This new battery, developed through the expertise of Renault and LG Chem, features a major innovation: greater energy density. 

This innovation involves increasing the storage capacity of the battery, without changing its dimensions or the effective volume of the vehicle. 

Battery performance is optimised not by adding more modules but by improving the chemistry of the battery cells to increase energy density. This major upgrade was obtained with no trade-offs in reliability or safety in use. 

New Kangoo Van Z.E. also gains a new motor of advanced energy efficiency and an optimised electronic battery management system. 

This limits the electricity consumed by the vehicle on the road, while maintaining power. This R60 (44 kW) motor is 100% Renault. Developing 60hp, it is based on the ZOE R75/90 motor. It is built in France at the Renault Cléon site, the Group’s flagship facility for manufacturing motors and gearboxes of high added value. A new more powerful charger 

 New Kangoo Van Z.E. is equipped with a new-generation 7kW AC charger (32A, single-phase, 230V AC). 

 New Kangoo Van Z.E. cuts charging time. A full charge now takes around six hours from a 7kW Wall Box, i.e. less than one night – and for a longer range, compared to eight hours for a shorter range on the previous model. 

 New Kangoo Van Z.E. adds a range of 22 miles in just one hour of charging (in a temperate climate), i.e. the time taken to have lunch or to load goods into a vehicle before going out on another round. As a result, New Kangoo Van Z.E. can drive all day and even make two delivery rounds (morning and afternoon). 

New Kangoo Van Z.E. comes as standard with a cable for charging from a Wall Box or public access charge point. It also has a cable for charging from a domestic or secure socket (optional or standard depending on the country). The heat pump: a first for increasing vehicle range in use 

 New Kangoo Van Z.E. features a real innovation in the world of electric LCVs: a heat pump linked to the air conditioning, maintaining autonomy in cold weather. 

 The heat pump improves vehicle range in cold weather since it limits the use of electrical resistors that consume both power and range. 

 New Kangoo Van Z.E. is the first electric LCV to be equipped with this feature. 

 With the pre-conditioning system (using a smartphone or steering wheel controls to set the starting time), the vehicle can be heated or cooled in advance when it is plugged in. 

 For extremely cold countries, New Kangoo Van Z.E. is equipped with an additional independent fuelpowered mini boiler that ensures user comfort in extreme conditions and maintains range in cold weather. 

New connected services: Z.E. Trip and Z.E. Pass Z.E. Trip and Z.E. Pass are two services designed to make it easier to charge electric vehicles from public charge points in Europe, during the course of a journey, if necessary. Europe has some 80,000 charge points available to the general public. 

These connected services will be rolled out gradually across Europe in 2017. 

 Z.E. Trip: to locate all charge points, from the vehicle’s R-LINK navigation system. The Z.E. Trip app lets the driver locate all accessible public charge points across the main European countries. Z.E. Trip is accessible via the Renault R-LINK navigation system. 

The Z.E. Trip app shows the availability of each charge point in real time, to guide the driver to a point that is free. It also specifies the power of the charge point and its compatibility with the vehicle. To prepare the journey in advance, drivers can also consult the charge point network on Renault’s website. 

 Z.E. Pass: to access and pay for charge points, from a smartphone or tablet. The Z.E. Pass app will make it easier to charge an electric vehicle from most public charge points in Europe, regardless of which charging network they are on. Drivers identify accessible points and their compatibility with the vehicle. They can also use a smartphone or tablet to compare charging prices for the nearest points. 

Drivers can access a large number of charge points without subscribing to each individual network. They pay for the charge using the dedicated smartphone app (iOS or Androïd) or badge (RFID technology). The exact networks that are compatible with Z.E. Pass will be announced by individual countries during 2017. At the same time, New Kangoo Van Z.E. maintains a range of services to make life easier for users of electric vehicles. 

 My Z.E. Connect: Lets users access vehicle data from a smartphone or computer: charge status, vehicle range with the current charge, charging log, scheduling of warning messages and tips. 

 My Z.E. Connect Pro: A web service providing raw data on the batteries used by an electric vehicle fleet. The service uploads data on battery charge levels in real time, processes it and restores it to a customer device. This device contributes to easier day-to-day running of the fleet, remote range management, integration of data to the company’s own tools and intelligent navigation. 

 My Z.E. Inter@ctive: Allows the driver interact with the car from a smartphone or computer: preconditioning of the vehicle (for heating or cooling, via the air conditioning or heat pump at a set time), charge scheduling (to select the time, take advantage of the best energy prices, the power available or in accordance with the cost and carbon footprint of the electricity used).

Key characteristics of Renault Maubeuge (MCA, Maubeuge Construction Automobile):  A bodywork and assembly site with a full production process: press shop, body assembly, paintwork and final assembly. Vehicles leaving the assembly line undergo track tests before delivery to the network;  A flexible production line meeting the standards of the Renault-Nissan Alliance;  Vehicles built: Kangoo passenger vehicle and LCV since 2007, Kangoo Z.E. (electric version) since 2011, Mercedes-Benz Citan since 2012 (as part of the partnership between Renault-Nissan and Daimler since 2010);  Production in 2015: 151,064 vehicles;  60 per cent of production exported to around thirty countries; 2,220 employees;  Almost 84 ha, of which 23 ha of covered buildings;  ISO 9001 label (quality), ISO 14001 label (environment), HPR label (highly protected risk). Managing diversity for a made-to-measure offering The plant manages considerable diversity in production with a wide range of four different vehicle families, all built on the same line. Kangoo Z.E. is available in two lengths (4.28m for Kangoo Z.E. and 4.66m for Kangoo Z.E. Maxi). 

Mercedes-Benz Citan, based on a Kangoo platform, is also built on the same line. A Renault Tech satellite workshop is present on site in order to customise vehicles and undertake personalised adaptations for fleets or self-employed workers. 

Objective: zero defects In order to maintain customer satisfaction over the long term, the Renault-Nissan Alliance has put in place a strategy targeting zero defects at its production sites. This strategy is based on the Alliance Production Way, a joint Renault-Nissan Alliance production system based on the best criteria in terms of production performance identified by both Renault and Nissan. This quality policy is based on a number of points, including compliance and speed of response. 

To reduce the number of defects at industrial sites, compliance implements an approach comprising three strands: a well organised workstation, implementation of operating processes and well trained personnel. Speed of response means blocking any problem identified before it spreads to the assembly line, and finding a solution to correct it. By implementing these measures and actions, the Maubeuge site has achieved a 30 per cent reduction in the number of defects perceived by the Quality team or observed by customers. 

These high quality standards were further reinforced by the partnership with Daimler for building the Mercedes-Benz Citan. All vehicles built at Maubeuge undergo static and dynamic checks to ensure total customer satisfaction.

Founded in 1971 by Société des Usines Chausson (SUC), the Maubeuge site originally had two production units (press shop and body assembly). It became a fully owned Renault subsidiary in 1978. In 1993, the Group decided to build Kangoo exclusively at this site. With a workforce of 2,220, MCA is the largest private employer in the Sambre-Avesnois region.

Master Z.E. gains the Z.E. expertise of Renault, European leader in electric vehicles, while maintaining all the qualities that have made Master a benchmark in the heavy van sector. Master is a heavy van of robust, expressive design, praised for its dynamic road manners and recognised as a benchmark in its segment (top 3 in Europe). 

It combines easy loading with generous useful dimensions, excellent ergonomics and a high level of active and passive safety. A true office on wheels, Master is an efficient, secure workhorse adopted by more than 475,000 customers since its launch at end-2010. The electric version of Master is aimed primarily at fleets running last-mile distribution services in the city, as well as large municipalities and local government. 

Master Z.E. is packed with Renault’s technical and technological expertise: the best know-how in LCVs combined with the skills of the European leader in electric vehicles. Master Z.E. reaps the benefits of the latest technical breakthroughs in electric vehicles at Renault. It combines an advanced motor of high energy efficiency with a state-of-the-art battery and optimised electronic battery management. The result: a heavy van whose load characteristics, range and charge time are tailored to the needs of business customers in and around cities. 

 Master Z.E. is equipped with the Z.E. 33 battery (33kWh). This new battery was co-developed by Renault and LG Chem. 

It features a major innovation: increased energy density obtained by improving the chemistry of the battery cells. 

 Master Z.E. is fitted with the R75, a motor of advanced energy efficiency, with an output of 57kW/76hp, inherited from ZOE. Built at the Cléon site in France, this tried-and-tested motor makes Master Z.E. ideal for use in and around the city. Master Z.E. has a top speed of 71mph that can be limited depending on customer needs. 

 Master Z.E. has a range of 124 miles (NEDC3 ), making it suitable for daily last-mile deliveries in the city. 

 Master Z.E. takes less than one night to charge: a full charge takes six hours with the 7kW Wall Box. 

 Following launch, a number of features specific to Master Z.E. will be available: R-Link with connected services, pre-conditioning, a speed limiter function for fleets, and Z.E. Voice (pedestrian warning system). 

The speed limiter function will make it possible for fleet owners to limit the top speed of the vehicles provided to users while maintaining range. Master Z.E. maintains the qualities of Master, a benchmark in the heavy van segment Master Z.E. is not a version: it is a range of vehicles meeting the diverse needs of business users. Master Z.E. is available in four versions, three lengths and two heights. 

 The Master Z.E. van is available in three versions: L1H1, L2H2 and L3H2. 

 Master Z.E. is also available in an L3 flatbed cab version. Fitting a battery and electric motor on a heavy van is no easy task from a technical standpoint. Renault drew upon all its expertise in order to develop an electric version of Master that maintains the original vehicle’s genetic qualities, particularly in terms of load capacity. The objective was simple: to satisfy last-mile delivery objectives in the city. 

 The load area is identical to that of the LCV version since the new Z.E. 33 KWh battery is sized to fit under the body. Master Z.E. has a useful volume of between 8 and 22 m3 depending on the configuration. - The van variants of Master Z.E. have an effective volume of between 8 and 13m3.

With a payload of 1,400 kg (without conversion), the L3 platform cab version lends itself to a wide range of conversions. - The main options include the adaptation of a high-volume body for a load volume of up to 22m3 . 

 The Master Z.E. van range maintains a payload of between 1,000 and 1,100kg (depending on versions). This meets the needs of most business customers for their last-mile urban delivery services.  The load sill is among the lowest in the segment (55.7cm) and the doors open to 270 degrees, for easier loading and unloading. 

 With the optional Wide View mirror to eliminate blind spots, a reversing camera (with a screen built into the interior door mirror) and reversing radar, Master Z.E. is the ideal partner for urban deliveries. 

 No need to sacrifice ergonomics, comfort or ride comfort. The cabin of Master Z.E. continues to provide maximum comfort for both the driver and front passengers as an office on wheels with a range of ergonomic storage compartments. Master Z.E. also maintains the excellent ride and handling of the vehicle on which it is based.

Looking beyond its range of electric LCVs, Renault Pro+ is continuing to build its range of services dedicated to business customers: 

 Connected services will become more widespread, with services such as Fleet Management or Predictive Maintenance. 

 A specialist network of increased presence, with 650 dealerships in 41 countries. 

 Made-to-measure conversions are increasingly diversified, based on a network of 400 approved converters in 29 countries. Connected services set to become widely available Renault’s electric LCV range already includes a wide range of connected services, the most recent of which are Z.E. Trip and Z.E. Pass (see Chapter 01). 

In 2017, Renault Pro+ will also be rolling out a number of other connected services dedicated to business users, starting with two new service families, Fleet Management and Predictive Maintenance. Fleet Management Fleet Management is a telematic service providing an automatic flow of data for fleet managers. 

No need to request information from the driver or vehicle. The service automatically uploads information that is useful to the fleet manager, such as mileage, range, tyre pressure or the number of kilometres before the next scheduled servicing. 

This connected service makes it possible to: 

 Cut fleet running costs: lower consumption, manage and plan servicing. 

 Simplify fleet management: good fleet visibility based on reliable, precise and diversified data. 

 Deploy eco-responsible driving, cut costs, reduce CO2 emissions and increase safety by improving behaviour at the wheel. Predictive Maintenance Predictive Maintenance involves issuing real-time information on the vehicle’s condition and, based on the predictive data analysis system, to predict when failure might occur and carry out maintenance operations. 

Analysing data from the vehicle makes it possible to predict incidents linked to a lack of maintenance, and to plan ahead for operations. 12 As a result, fleet managers avoid unplanned vehicle downtime for maximum operational performance. This connected service makes it possible to: 

 Plan ahead for maintenance and thus optimise servicing costs. Maximise vehicle availability to increase productivity 

 Ensure driver safety The Renault Pro+ specialist network meets the specific requirements of business customers. It is therefore also available to electric LCV customers. The key benefits of this specialist network include: 

 Specialist sales and after-sales advisors, specially trained in LCVs. 

 An easier choice: the entire LCV range is on show, including converted vans, test drives without an appointment, and fast, detailed sales proposals. 

 Reinforced mobility solutions: servicing without an appointment, workshops with extended opening hours, courtesy vehicles. At end-2016, the Renault Pro+ specialist network had 650 dealerships in 41 countries. Increasingly diversified conversions Renault Pro+ also has a network of 400 approved converters in 29 countries, able to convert LCVs to meet the specific needs of each business customer. 

As a result, Renault Pro+ is able to bring customers a wide range of converted vehicles based on the range of electric LCVs such as refrigerated and medicine delivery vehicles. These vehicles can also be personalised, with special options available at the factory (special colours, layout, signage, etc.). Renault was the first car maker to introduce an approval process for converters. 

This contributes to a faster response, while also improving relations with converters and enhancing the quality of services. Approved converters are able to access technical information and drawings on the Renault Conversion website and submit any questions to the technical assistance department. 

Renault’s Conversion and Quality departments support the global network of converters and organise regular field missions to select new converters or renew existing contracts. Drawing upon its expertise, Renault also identifies benchmark vehicle converters in other countries in order to take part in international tenders.

Renault, European leader in electric vehicles 

 More than 100,000 Renault electric vehicles are already on the road in Europe, of which more than 50,000 in France. 

 Since 2010, Renault has sold more electric vehicles in Europe than any other manufacturer. In Europe, more than one electric vehicle sold in every four is a Renault. 

 In September 2016, the Renault ZOE was unveiled at Paris Motor Show with a 250 mile range (NEDC Combined) – the longest of any mainstream electric vehicle 

 In France – Europe’s biggest market for electric vehicles in terms of volume – more than one electric vehicle in every two sold is a Renault. 

 Renault ZOE is Europe’s best-selling electric vehicle. Renault Kangoo Z.E. is Europe’s best-selling LCV. 

 The Renault-Nissan Alliance is a global leader on the electric vehicle market, with over half of worldwide electric vehicle sales Renault Pro+, a key player in LCVs At end-2015, Renault launched Renault Pro+, an expert brand set up to support business customers all over the world, by identifying dedicated products and services. 

The objective of Renault Pro+ is to make life easier for business customers with solutions to improve their business efficiency. 

 A wide range of LCVs, from small vans to heavy vans - Kangoo, available in 65 versions. - Trafic, available in 270 versions. - Master, available in 350 versions. 

 A successful offensive on the pick-up market, with the Latin American launch in 2015 of Duster Oroch, a half-tonne pick-up that already ranks among the leaders in its segment, and the launch in 2016 of Alaskan, a one-tonne pick-up of global ambitions. 

 A unique electric LCV range with Twizy Cargo, New Kangoo Van Z.E. and Master Z.E. 

 A specialist network (sales and after-sales) of 650 Renault Pro+ centres at end-2016, in 41 countries, dedicated to business customers and meeting high standards. 

 A network of 400 approved converters in 29 countries to convert vehicles to meet the specific requirements of each customer. 

 An engineering centre dedicated to LCVs, based in Villiers-Saint-Frédéric, France. 

 Production sites on three continents: Europe (three sites in France), Latin America (Argentina and Brazil) and Africa (Morocco). 

 LCVs sold in over 110 countries, with key markets in Europe, Brazil, Argentina,Turkey, Australia and Romania. - 387,000 registrations in 2015, a rise of 12.4% in a global market that fell by 6.3%. - 386,000 registrations at end-November 2016, a rise of +13.5% vs end-November 2015. 

 European leader in LCVs for 18 consecutive years, as at end-2015: 14 - No. 1 in France, Portugal, Belgium. - No. 2 in Spain, Poland, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Latvia, Croatia, Iceland. - No. 3 in Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Ireland, Hungary, Lithuania, Estonia. 

 Strong positions in many markets, particularly in Latin America (No. 2 in Argentina, No. 3 in Colombia) with: - Kangoo, leader in its segment in Argentina, No. 2 in Brazil and in Australia. - Trafic, leader in Colombia. - Master, leader in Brazil, No. 2 in Colombia, No. 3 in Argentina and Australia. - Duster Oroch, leader in Argentina and Colombia, No. 3 in Brazil.

WHAT CAR AWARDS - The Rolls Royce Ghost Extended Wheelbase takes the Super Luxury Car, Best Buy.

The judges at the What Car? Awards, one of the most important measures of success in the automotive calendar have once again declared Ghost the best super luxury car in the world, competing a hat-trick of victories for Ghost family motor cars in its most prestigious category, luxury cars over £100,000.

In awarding Ghost Extended Wheelbase with ‘Best Buy’ status in the What Car? judges praised the car for its perfect marriage of driving dynamics and supremacy as the consummate entrepreneurs limousine:

“Designed as the Rolls-Royce for the owner who’d prefer to spend some time in the driver’s seat, the Ghost offers the class and attention to detail the brand is famous for.

Under its bonnet is a 6.6-litre twin-turbo V12 that’s as discreet as it is potent. The ride is very forgiving, and the light but precise steering makes this massive car surprisingly easy to place and manoeuvre. 

If you’d rather employ someone else to do the driving, the Ghost will perform well as a chauffeur-driven limousine – this Extended Wheelbase model gets reclining rear seats and an extra 17cm of leg room over the already spacious standard Ghost.”

Since its launch in 2011 Ghost Extended Wheelbase has perfectly combined Ghost’s hallmark effortless simplicity, cutting-edge technology and contemporary interpretation of Rolls-Royce design language with the more indulgent proportions of an Extended Wheelbase chauffeur-driven motor car. 

This unique blend, married to a peerless scope for Bespoke personalisation has endeared a new generation of successful entrepreneurs to the marque – taking its place as the ultimate symbol of attainment for the influential men and women that drive our economies and create wealth. 

Indeed, in 2016 Ghost was presented in a new guise with the introduction of the Black Badge series. 

This authentic design and engineering statement serves as a truly Bespoke response, befitting the world’s most celebrated luxury house, to the desires of a highly creative, dynamic new breed of entrepreneur.

“Accolades like this reaffirm Ghost’s standing as the ultimate statement of attainment for the world’s most successful entrepreneurs, said Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. 

“Since its introduction in 2009, Ghost has stood alone in conveying patrons of true luxury in a highly contemporary interpretation of true luxury. 

This continuing success and critical acclaim from one of the industry’s landmark Awards is highly gratifying for everyone concerned with crafting the ‘Best Cars in the World.”

This critical acclaim is echoed in sustained customer demand.  Indeed Ghost also played a major role in contributing to the second highest sales results in the marque’s history in 2016 – emphatically affirming its status as the business limousine of choice for the world’s most discerning patrons of luxury. Indeed, Ghost totally dominates the super-luxury class (€200,000+)

This honour follows success in the UK Car of the Year Awards for Dawn and adds to the numerous global accolades Ghost has enjoyed since its first introduction in 2009 followed by a sensitive evolution in 2014 with the launch of Ghost Series II.