See all Motoring NewsRenault has launched the new Zoe in Ireland, with a starting price of €26,990 - a figure that the French car maker says makes the Zoe the most affordable electric car in the country - by a margin of some €5 compared to the Peugeot e-208.
The Renault has more range than the Peugeot, though. Its 52kWh battery can carry it for 395km on one charge according to the WLTP economy and emissions test, and you can have a choice of two electric motors - a base version with 108hp or the new R135 motor with, obviously, 135hp. The lengthy claimed range also allows Renault to claim that, compared to other long-range rivals, the Zoe could allow you to save as much as €9,000 on purchase costs alone.
The Zoe can also be fast-charged from a 50kW charger now, adding as much as 145km of extra range in around half an hour. There's also 22kW medium-fast charging thanks to the adaptable 'Chameleon' on-board charger management system.
Alongside the new exterior styling, there's a new cabin with much higher-grade materials than were available before, and you get a customisable ten-inch TFT digital instrument pack as standard. On the outside, there is a new front-end treatment with revised bumpers, more sculpted bonnet, chrome grille inserts and 'holographic'-effect Renault diamond logo, plus full LED headlamps as standard across the range. Three trim levels are available - Play, Iconic and GT Line.
The Zoe is now available to test drive at all of Renault's 27 dealerships around Ireland. The firm is promising customers an instant €3,500 saving on the car, too - that's thanks to a €1,000 'Carbon Cashback' and a special finance offer from Renault Bank of 2.01 per cent APR (available on orders up to the 31st of March), which is claimed to give you €2,500 savings compared to a high street bank.
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