Renault Teases With Image Of Four Electric Concepts To Appear At Frankfurt

IN LATE JUNE, Renault revealed plans to unveil a trio of electric vehicles at this month's Frankfurt Motor Show, now only a week away.

Today, the French carmaker has announced that a fourth concept will appear at the show, turning the trio into an electric quartet.

A single teaser image has been released, offering a top-down view of the four new concepts to be revealed next week.

Renault-Nissan’s Alliance B platform, which currently underpins the Clio, Modus (EU), Cube (US) and Micra, is expected form the basis of one of the concepts, due for production in 2012.

Christian Steyer, development chief for Renault’s C-segment vehicles, said that all of Renault’s electric cars would be styled to visually seperate them from the regular line-up, but that Renault is being cautious.

“We want a real signature for our electric range, so when people see one in the street they will know it is a Renault electric car,” Mr Steyer told UK mag Autocar.

“The key is to do this without frightening customers away. Customers must be tempted, and not rushed too fast.”

Among the electric vehicles Renault will display will be production-ready electric versions of the Megane sedan and the Kangoo, while the French automaker will also feature its battery charging systems at its Frankfurt stand.

Renault will offer three charging systems: a high-powered, quick charge plug-in system, a home-based overnight plug-in system, and an automated ‘Quick Drop’ system which will remove and replace a depleted battery in three minutes.