Announced in late 2018 at the Paris Motor Show, the future Captur E-TECH Plug-in will be Renault’s first rechargeable hybrid model. It is sometimes referred to as a PHEV, which stands for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle, a term used to designate a hybrid vehicle equipped with a dedicated charging socket, compared to standard hybrid cars whose batteries are only recharged when braking or slowing down through the conversion of kinetic energy into electrical energy.
The motorization of a rechargeable hybrid car
The Renault Captur E-TECH Plug-in uses E-TECH hybrid technology developed by Renault, here in its rechargeable hybrid form. It is composed of a 1.6 L gas block and two electric motors for a total power of 160 hp.
The first of the two motors replaces a combustion-powered engine during 100% electric driving and provides support the rest of the time. The Renault Captur E-TECH Plug-in can thus achieve a maximum speed of 135 km/h with zero CO2 emissions*. This electric motor also handles the harvest of energy during braking and deceleration in order to recharge the battery and increase the range for 100% electric driving.
The second electric motor serves as a starter to get the combustion-powered engine running. It also supports Renault’s innovative transmission system. The latter is the result of research by Renault for the world of Formula One racing. With no clutch, it handles the distribution of torque from different motors to the front wheels and optimizes energy output when changing gears.
The battery in a rechargeable hybrid car
To feed the electric motor that provides the necessary torque, the Renault Captur E-TECH Plug-in uses a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 9.8 kWh, installed horizontally below the back seat. Capable of charging partially during driving thanks to regenerative braking, this battery is primarily recharged using a charging point or a domestic outlet.
What is the range of the Renault Captur hybrid?
During 100% electric driving, the Renault Captur E-TECH Plug-in offers a range of 50 kilometers according to the mixed cycle of the WLTP protocol (Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure)**. sufficient to complete everyday trips without consuming a single drop of gas, simply by recharging the lithium-ion battery during breaks or at home in the evenings.
When the battery is not charged, the Renault Captur E-TECH Plug-in acts like a “traditional” (non-rechargeable) hybrid vehicle. Designed for city driving, longer trips, and even vacations, it offers a flexibility that is currently unmatched by any other vehicle on the market!
Driving advantages of the rechargeable hybrid
After a stop, the transmission uses the electric motor to restart the car silently, and with immediate acceleration. When passing a vehicle or merging onto the freeway, it combines the combustion- and electric-powered engines to increase the available power and offer better acceleration.
In addition to the phases of driving based on the use of the electric motor, the New Captur E-TECH Plug-in preserves the characteristics typically associated with hybrid vehicles, starting with reduced fuel consumption, particularly beneficial for long trips.
Top of the line equipment
The Captur E-TECH Plug-in offers a wide range of features dedicated to occupants’ comfort and safety. For example, it makes use of numerous driving aids such as active emergency braking, lane departure warning, and automatic traffic-sign recognition. The vehicle features a digital dashboard that measures 10 inches across, as well as a vertical screen with a diagonal measurement of up to 9.3 inches and which can integrate Android Auto and Apple CarPlay systems.
Connected charging services
Like all of Renault’s electric and hybrid cars, the New Captur E-TECH Plug-in comes with connected services dedicated to both optimizing travel and remote charging of the vehicle.
The launch of the Renault Captur E-TECH Plug-in
The E-TECH Plug-in rechargeable hybrid motor will be introduced in the New Captur in 2020. It thereby adds to the range of possibilities offered by the bestselling Captur line, of which more than 1.2 million units have been sold in 70 countries around the world since its introduction in 2013. A PHEV version of the Renault Megane is also in the works for 2020. Like the new Clio hybrid, these two rechargeable hybrids will add to the range of possibilities available to drivers, offering complementary options to the 100% electric vehicles such as the New ZOE.
* Neither atmospheric emissions of CO2 nor pollutants while driving (excluding wear parts)
** WLTP combined cycle range (Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure, standardized cycle: 57% city driving, 25% suburban driving, 18% highway driving).
Copyrights : Yannick BROSSARD
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