Car Magazine tests the prototype of the Renault Fluence ZE

The editors of Car Magazine have managed to get hold of a Renault Fluence ZE electric car for testing and have shared their impressions on the magazine’s website. The electric Fluence promises what all electric cars promise, using new technology, inside the body of a car that resembles a Renault Laguna, but electric.

The interior legroom and cabin ergonomics are geared towards comfort. The absence of the mechanical components that are standard in internal combustion engine cars is a plus for the Fluence. However, they predict that this will not be a very suitable car for families, but rather one aimed at business fleets, at least in its early units. The reason is a boot that is very limited by the batteries, the size of an old-school giant television.

On the road, the Fluence is as quiet and smooth as any electric car and its driving is very simple. Moving the so-called gear selector to the D position is enough to engage the electric motor. The problem here is the short battery life under acceleration or at motorway speeds. Renault says the Fluence’s range will be 160 kilometres. But as soon as the accelerator is used more than necessary, this range can drop to unexpected levels.

Apparently, the Fluence will be able to swap batteries when refuelling. That is, we would not have to wait hours and hours to recharge, but a simple swap of batteries for pre-charged ones would be one of the solutions that Renault (and other brands) have in mind. Apparently, the battery swap system was not included in this car, which tells us that this system has not even reached the prototype stage.

Overall, the Fluence came out of this first contact well. As for its on-road behaviour, a certain instability at the rear was observed, something that seems to come with every French mid-size car, although the weight of the batteries (supposedly) must have an influence. The brakes have been rated as very good, more effective than those of other electric cars or models with regenerative systems.

The first production models of the Fluence ZE will arrive in Europe next year, and will be distributed over the following year in all the markets where it is planned to be sold, including Spain.

Via | Car Magazine