Geneva Motor Show Special: Renault showcases Zoe electric hot-hatch concept

The Renault Zoe is an electric hatchback from the French carmaker that is currently on sale in Euopean markets. Renault showcased a souped up, performance version of the hatchback called the Zoe e-sport concept at the Geneva Motor Show earlier today.

Renault are a dominant force in the Formula E series and have used all their expertise in EVs to showcase what is possible from an e-performance car. It is to be noted that the Zoe e-sport isn’t going to go in to production, it has simple been created by Renault to showcase what is possible on this front.

The Zoe e-sport concept has two electric motors developing 460bhp and 472lb ft at 4300rpm. Each electric motor powers one axle, one in the front and one in the rear. The car can go from naught to 100kmph in just 3.2sec and 200kmph can be reached in under 10sec. The concept gets two batteries, one for each motor for a total capacity of 40kWh.

A lot of the tech has filtered down from Formula E itself. The two motors use high-capacity permanent magnet technology to maximise efficiency; the e-sport concept uses the same air- and water-cooling systems as the Formula E car to ensure the battery and other systems operate at the ideal temperature; the tubular frame is borrowed from Renault sport cars that compete in hill climbs and bike races.

The Zoe e-sport gets four driving modes that can be switched between, allowing the car to provide more performance or maximise range as required. It can also be changed to suit different driving styles, or circuits or can be made to give more front- or rear-wheel drive bias.

The concept weights just 1400kg, and this is including the 450kg battery pack. This was possible only through a liberal use of carbon fibre all over the car. In addition to all this, it gets 20-inch wheels, four-way adjustable Ohlins dampers, a double wishbone suspension front and rear and racing slicks.