Renault’s answer to the Volkswagen ID4 – Blik to the Future

In 2021 there are two things with which you are guaranteed to score as a car manufacturer: SUVs and electric powertrains. The first was already a must at Renault, given the success of the Captur. The second came for a long time almost entirely on the plate of the Zoe (after all, there is also an electric Twingo recently), but that Zoe is now being reinforced by the Mégane E-Tech Electric. Renault has acquired a taste for it and is expected to push the next EV forward as early as next year. In contrast to the electric Mégane, this will be a real SUV, and it will be a middle class in the Kadjar segment. There is therefore a good chance that Renault will have a completely new model name on it, in combination with the designation E-Tech Electric.

The length in

The newcomer is a much-needed response from France to the Skoda Enyaq, the Volkswagen ID.4 and, in a sense, the Volvo XC40 Recharge – not to mention the new Ariya from alliance partner Nissan. It is a fast-growing market, where you have to be of good quality to acquire a place. Renault does this with a sharpened design vision, among other things. We already saw this scenario with the Mégane E-Tech Electric and with the study model that served as a harbinger of the car we are now talking about: the Morphoz Concept. That is a 4.40 meter long SUV with pretty sharp lines at the front and a rear that is almost unrecognizable as a Renault. The Morphoz got its name from the fact that it could ‘extend’ to 4.80 metres, but we obviously don’t have to expect that with the production version. The final size is probably somewhere in between, because Nissan brother Ariya is 4.60 meters long and therefore fits neatly next to the direct competitors. It is just slightly taller than the Kadjar, which is 4.49 metres. In addition, the expected wheelbase of between 2.70 and 2.80 m is a stroke larger than the 2.65 m that is between the wheels on the Kadjar, of course with the aim of making room for the battery pack.

Renault Morphoz Concept

Undoubtedly it is also beneficial for the interior space, although Renault is likely to disappoint people hoping for seven seats. De Morphoz already sketched a clear picture, especially at the front, of what the as yet unnamed newcomer will look like; we count on a fairly flat and wide light, which continues up to the logo in the middle of the nose and is joined lower on the nose by sharply-lined, more vertically oriented daytime running lights. All in all, it is expected to be slightly more exuberant than with the Mégane E-Tech Electric. Incidentally, the sharp folds behind the front fenders of the Morphoz only reach the production stage in somewhat toned-down form.

500 km on one charge

The Nissan Ariya is more than a future competitor from its own ranks; it is also the car with which the new Renault shares most of its technology. With the look at the Ariya, we already learn a lot about the Renault. For example, we can logically count on a 218 hp version and a variant with 245 hp power. They draw their power from battery packs of 63 kWh and 87 kWh respectively. The latter combination provides the Renault with a WLTP range of about 500 km. However, some differences with the Ariya will probably come to light and one of them is already clear: the Renault will not get a four-wheel drive version, while the Nissan Ariya will. Renault would like to reserve four-wheel drive exclusively for sporty subsidiary Alpine, because that brand is coming with an electric SUV that is related to this Renault and the Nissan Ariya.

One thing is certain: the big brother of the Mégane E-Tech Electric has a tough job ahead of it. Not only because the competition is fierce, but also because it is Renault’s hope in the mid-range. The Talisman, like other traditional middle-class cars, has a hard time and more was undoubtedly expected from the Kadjar. In the second half of next year, Renault will rid us of the uncertainties, because then it will probably pull the curtain off the car. In 2023, the moment of truth will be there to – if all goes well – attract hordes of enthusiastic customers to the showrooms of the Renault dealers.