Renault Clio with E-TECH technology: the hybrid according to Renault

Renault unveils its first hybrid car at the Geneva Motor Show, using the technology named E-TECH, fitted to the new Renault Clio. It will reach the market in 2020.

The first hybrid car from Renault has been presented at the Geneva Motor Show. It is one of the powertrain variants that the French brand will offer on its new Renault Clio, also making its debut at the Swiss show.

Named E-TECH, the hybrid technology from Renault will be added to the conventional petrol and diesel engines in 2020. And it is not a mild-hybrid system “Mild-Hybrid”, but a full hybrid.

Clio E-TECH: a full hybrid

In the Renault Clio E-TECH, the combustion engine is a new-generation 1.6 petrol, assisted by two electric motors. There are not many more details about the location of these motors or their power output, although the video shows that in any case they drive the front wheels.

Renault promises fuel savings in urban driving of up to 40% with the E-TECH hybrid technology compared with an equivalent combustion-engine car.

The battery, located at the rear, has a capacity of 1.2 kWh. Renault also announces the use of a novel gearbox it calls “multimode”, although for now there is no further information about it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0Zst0szwzM&feature=youtu.be

The promises Renault makes for its E-TECH hybrid system are worth taking into account. The system lets the car always start moving in electric mode, and it is said to have a great capacity to recover energy during deceleration and braking. The electric motor (or motors) supports the petrol engine with extra thrust when accelerating, for example when overtaking.

The system is capable of running up to 80% of the time in electric mode when driving in the city, with a 40% saving compared with an equivalent combustion-engine car. We will soon learn more details about this system, which will gradually extend to the rest of the brand’s models.