TECH INSIDER | RENAULT E-TECH
www.electrichybridvehicletechnology.com // January 2020 // 21
Despite its early adoption of fully-electric
technology, Renault hasn’t overlooked
the potential for hybridization. This
year, the company’s best-selling
product, the Clio, will debut a full hybrid system
which will also underpin plug-in versions of
the Captur and Mégane shortly afterwards.
With diesel demand declining and emissions
compliance already pricing it out of some
segments, the E-Tech system is seen as an
important alternative.
Development began almost nine years ago,
and was undertaken entirely in-house. More
than 150 patents were filed during the process,
which principally benchmarked Toyota’s Hybrid
Synergy Drive but set out unique characteristics
tailored to European customers, according to
Renault hybrid engineer, Antoine Vignon.
“We wanted to make the hybrid as close as
possible to an electric car. So we made a choice
at the start to remove the clutch system and
make all the take-off of the vehicle electric.
That’s very important, because you will have all
the advantages of an EV – dynamic response,
it’s very quiet and you can generate a high level
of acceleration,” he explains.
/www.electrichybridvehicletechnology.com