Autoesque

This year’s European Car of the Year result was close, with the top three contenders separated by only 18 points.

Electric vehicles dominate the 2022 European Car of the Year finalist list. In fact, six of the seven nominees – which were chosen by a jury vote – feature battery-electric powertrains.

2021 marks 60 years since the Renault 4 was first launched. As part of the anniversary celebrations, Renault and TheArsenale have collaborated to create the one-off Air4 concept.

Last month, Renault revealed the Master H2-Tech pure-electric van that features a 30 kW hydrogen fuel cell. Now the same powertrain – which was developed by Hyvia – is being trialled in city bus and chassis cab models.

Batteries might not be the best solution for the electrification of commercial vehicles, given their cost, recharging times and adverse effect on payloads. Hydrogen fuel cells are one alternative, but in many countries the necessary facilities are currently lacking.

Renault dealers in the UK are now accepting customer orders for the revised 2022 Trafic van, ahead of first deliveries which are expected to take place this coming December.

At this year’s Düsseldorf Caravan Salon, Renault is going to launch its new Trafic SpaceNomad camper van.

Midnight Blue metallic paintwork, subtle white stripes and 16” ‘Seidon’ diamond-cut alloy wheels distinguish the Zoe Riviera Limited Edition.

Renault has just begun accepting online pre-orders for its new Arkana. This compact five-door SUV coupé (which is actually assembled in South Korea by Renault Samsung) sits on the same CMF-B modular platform that underpins the current Clio and Captur.

As is the case in many markets, the popularity of SUVs continues to grow in India. Indeed, this year they’re expected to account for over a third of sales in the country’s B-segment. The new Renault Kiger is intended to exploit the opportunities created by such ever-increasing demand.

Renault has added the Venture Edition to its pure-electric Zoe line-up.

Next year will see the arrival of an all-new Kangoo and the virtually identical Express, both of which are going to be offered in panel van and five-seat passenger-carrying guises.

Renault has given its Trafic van a facelift for 2021. The first models to be revealed with the changes are the new nine-seat Trafic Passenger and eight-seat Trafic SpaceClass.

At first glance, the new Zoe Van looks exactly the same as its passenger-carrying counterpart. However, after looking closely, an opaque film covering the rear windows will become evident.

A jury comprising 58 motoring journalists from across the continent has decided that the Peugeot 208 is 2020’s European Car of the Year.

As expected, the new Renault Twingo Z.E. is pretty much identical to the recently-launched and closely-related Smart EQ forfour .

Renault has introduced the Trafic Black Edition, which is going to be available in cargo-carrying Panel Van and six-seat Crew Van forms.

117,100 new cars were registered in Ireland during 2019. That figure, published by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry, represents a 6.8% decline on 2018’s total.

Ahead of deliveries beginning in March 2020, Renault has announced specifications and pricing for its all-new second-generation Captur. Buyers of this B-segment SUV will be faced with a choice of eighteen different trim grade and powertrain combinations.

From an initial list of thirty candidates, European Car of the Year jurors have decided the seven finalists for 2020.