Renault captur E-TECH 160 plug-in, plug-in hybrid, 116 kw: overall consumption (l/100 km): combined: 1.5; electricity consumption combined (kwh/100km): 17.3 kwh; CO2 emissions combined (g/km): 34. Energy efficiency class A+.* renault clio E-TECH 140, hybrid, 103 kw: overall consumption (l/100 km): combined: 3.6; CO2 emissions combined: 82 g/km; energy efficiency class: A+.* renault megane grandtour E-TECH plug-in 160, plug-in hybrid, 116 kw: overall consumption combined (l/100 km): 1.3; electricity consumption combined (kwh/100 km): 13 kwh; CO2 emissions combined: 29 g/km; energy efficiency class: A+.* (values according to measurement procedure VO [EG] 715/2007). For a graphical representation of the energy efficiency class click HERE.
In this hybrid driving report, three renault models are in the spotlight: the trade magazine auto motor und sport takes the clio hybrid, megane plug-in hybrid and captur plug-in hybrid out for a test drive. 1 how does the electrifying trio perform under everyday conditions??
The experts from the formula 1 factory team and the developers of the production vehicles traditionally maintain a lively exchange at Renault. It is thanks to this extremely direct line that groundbreaking innovations from the high-tech universe of the royal class of motor sports regularly find their way into the series. Innovations that make driving even more comfortable, pleasant and efficient. This ranges from the turbo technology of the late 1970s to the advanced hybrid drive currently used in numerous renault models, which, according to auto motor und sport, exude a "touch of Formula 1".
Best example: the clutchless multi-mode transmission, which controls the interaction between the e-motors and the gasoline engine and takes over power transmission in both the renault clio hybrid and the two plug-in hybrid variants of the megane and captur. At the beginning of the hybrid driving report, the tester from auto motor und sport first discusses this very transfer of knowledge: "the development comes from the formula 1 department of the French company, and in the case of the current racer for the 2020 season, the R.S.20, a similar system comes into play."
Hybrid driving report: renault CLIO hybrid convinces the tester from "ams
But how does hybrid technology à la renault perform in practice?? To get to the bottom of this question, the expert first takes a seat at the wheel of the clio hybrid – and obviously feels at home right away: "operating the clio (…) proves to be extremely simple. Selector lever to D, and off you go. The clio rolls off the lot with electric smoothness."the interaction between the two electric motors and the 1.6-liter gasoline engine works very well.
The clio "is 80 percent electric," and in the hybrid driving report it "floats happily along in traffic, recuperates diligently in push mode and offers a relaxed driving impression even in this traffic situation."There’s nothing to complain about in the obligatory trip on the highway either. According to auto motor und sport, "there is no shortage of power here."
Plug-in hybrid models from renault earn plenty of praise
There’s no shortage of power in the captur plug-in hybrid either. the crossover convinces with a system power of 116 kw (158 hp) and offers the possibility to recharge the battery at charging stations or at the home socket.
But how does it drive? "the captur is nippy and harmonious on the road with the new hybrid powertrain," praises auto motor und sport in the hybrid drive report. The patented multi-mode transmission from renault shows its strengths to the full. Among other things, "the drive spares the occupants the howling we know from many other hybrid vehicles," states the car tester.
The megane plug-in hybrid – which has the same combination of two electric motors and a gasoline engine – is also no slouch in the auto motor und sport report. It proves "to be a very pleasant partner. The drivetrain is usually very unobtrusive acoustically, and when braking, the transition from electric recuperative braking to hydraulic deceleration is also barely noticeable. This has been experienced in a less harmonious way in other vehicles," sums up the test expert.
On top of that, the test car – a megane grandtour plug-in hybrid – shines with plenty of space for passengers and luggage: "equally pleasing: the load volume of the megane grandtour remains the same, the battery has no effect on the trunk size."
renault’s factory claim – that the captur plug-in hybrid and megane plug-in hybrid can drive a maximum of 50 kilometers on pure electric power in a mix of urban and interurban driving at speeds of up to 135 km/h – proves to be a thoroughly realistic value in the hybrid driving report: "our driving tests with the captur and megane showed that around 50 kilometers of electric range seem feasible with both under everyday conditions. These are respectable values."
"chapeau, renault!"
Last but not least, the plug-in hybrid models from renault are extremely attractively priced. Buyers benefit from the electric car premium and "in addition, the e-tech models are generally equipped with a comprehensive range of standard features," as auto motor und sport notes.
all in all, the journalist draws a positive conclusion about renault’s three test vehicles at the end of the hybrid driving report: "you can rightly be enthusiastic about renault. The new models are convincing with cleanly tuned hybrid drives and fair prices, and thanks to the current incentive programs they do not cost more than normal internal combustion engines. Chapeau, renault!"
* the values given were measured according to the prescribed measurement procedure VO (EG) 715/2007 and § 2 nr. 5, 6, 6a passenger car envkv in the version currently in force and determined without additional equipment. The data does not refer to an individual vehicle and is not part of the offer, but serves solely for comparative purposes between the different vehicle types. Further information on the official fuel consumption, the official specific CO2 emissions and the electricity consumption of new passenger cars can be found in the ‘guide to fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and electricity consumption of new passenger cars’, which is available free of charge from all renault partners and from the deutsche automobil treuhand (DAT). The guide is also available as a download.