Renault is helping the Alliance tighten its grip on two of the most competitive segments of the European market: electric vehicles and crossovers.
Star of the company’s stand at the Geneva International Motor Show (5-15 March) is the new Renault Kadjar, which joins the all-conquering Nissan Qashqai and Nissan Juke in the ultra competitive compact crossover market. It slots in the Renault range between Captur and Koleos to give the Alliance the most comprehensive offering in the segment.
With flowing, athletic, lines and generous equipment levels Kadjar will be available in two- and four-wheel drive versions. It will be powered by a range of ultra efficient Energy engines, including two diesel versions producing just 99g/km* of CO2 a piece.
Renault’s other exciting news from Geneva is that the popular Zoe electric vehicle has been given an engine upgrade and a new electronic management system that together extend the range between charges to a useful 240kms.
There’s plenty of EV news on the Nissan stand, too, where a new seven-seat version of the highly acclaimed e-NV200 Evalia has been revealed. The company is also taking EV power to Le Mans, where the extreme front-engined Nissan GT-R LM NISMO racer will use a kinetic energy recovery system to boost power from its 3.0-litre twin turbo V6 engine.
Nissan is also underlining its leadership of the crossover class with Juke, X-Trail and new Qashqai – the latter celebrating its first full year on sale – on display. The latest Juke NISMO RS is also drawing the crowds.
And the company is showing a possible glimpse of the future. Sway, a dramatic concept with swooping lines, shows what might happen if the same radical design thinking that created Juke and Qashqai were applied to a small hatchback. Looks like a winner to us!
* Fuel consumption and emissions figures homologated in accordance with applicable legislation
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