SHANGHAI -- Renault unveiled its first full-electric vehicle for the Chinese market at the auto show here on Tuesday. The City K-ZE, a mini-SUV based on the Kwid sold in India, Brazil and other global markets. Sales will start toward the end of this year.
The K-ZE was first shown as a concept at the Paris show last autumn. It is the first car produced by the eGT joint venture with Dongfeng and Nissan, which was announced in August 2017. Dongfeng holds 50 percent of eGT, and Renault and Nissan 25 percent each.
The City K-ZE will be produced at Dongfeng's factory in Shiyan, China, which has an annual capacity of 120,000 vehicles.
The K-ZE, like the Kwid, rides on the Renault Nissan Mitsubishi alliance's CMF-A platform. It shares most of its sheet metal with the Kwid, although the front end, rear valance and side trim are specific to the K-ZE. The interior layout remains the same, with an eight-inch central infotainment touch screen that is considered large for the category. Renault says sensors monitor air quality and switch automatically between interior and exterior air circulation.
The K-ZE has a 2,423 mm (95 inch) wheelbase and 300 liters of trunk space.
The K-ZE can be be 80 percent charged in 50 minutes; in regular mode, it takes four hours to reach full charge, which Renault says is "totally adequate for fast-paced urban life."
China will be the first market for the K-ZE, but Renault says it is a "global" car that could be sold elsewhere, especially in emerging markets such as India and Brazil. There are no plans as of yet to sell it in Europe.