Renault to Build New Electric Motor at Cléon

KUALA LUMPUR: A new electric motor is developed by Renault Zoe that will increase its range from 210 to 240 km- the R240 motor is 10% lighter, smaller and has an optimized electronic management system and 10% faster charging.

The manufacturing of new motor as announced by the French carmaker will be at Cleon engine plant in Normandy, France. Currently the energy dCi 130, 140 and 160 internal combustion engines are built at the factory.

Out of 260 machines and inspection systems deployed for the production of the R240 motor, around half were placed already- they had to be reconditioned and converted. According to Renault, by 40% the cost-of-manufacturing is limited without compromising on quality, that's why Cleon is considered.

Cléon will likewise deliver the R240's Power Electronic Control (PEC) unit – to anticipate electrostatic release (ESD) from harming segments, the shop floor is secured with a directing covering that grounds workers wearing extraordinary security shoes, while an ESD test machine at the shop passageway confirms the electrical resistance between a worker's hand and the floor.

While entering the premises everyone is expected to wear a special anti-ESD suit. Assembly line of the PEC is highly manual, since 180 small components are involved, which require humans to assemble.

On the motor, two bench tests will be conducted. With a vacant vehicle, functionality is checked at speed of engine upto 10,000 rpm, to simulate real-world conditions with occupants and another on a dynamic bench.

Before a final test is processed on the whole powertrain, on full production, the final line keeps reduction gear, the PEC and electric motor together. Initially, 50,000 R240 units are produced by the Cleon plant a year, twice of that capacity then in long run.

For bookings, Renaults Zoe and Twizy are opened officially here in Malaysia, at sub-RM70k for the Twizy and an estimated sub-RM140k for the Zoe. It should be noted that Zoe will be the 2014 model, therefore it will not have new R240 motor and 240km range, but have same 87 hp and 220 Nm of torque.