GEORGEFORREST
LYNPRANGLE
whatcar.com^ April 2020 37
Age 35
Job CAA ofcer
Drives Renault Zoe
“I chose the original Zoe as my
first electric car because it was
easily the best value for money
to buy. There’s also the styling;
I like the fact that it looks like
a ‘normal’ car. That’s why I’m
pleased it hasn’t been changed
drastically; it’s mainly just some
extra sculpting and LED lights.
“The new interior is excellent –
not least because it now has two
full-size cupholders. Having four
USB ports, rather than one, is
also good for keeping the kids
happy in the back. The Zoe is
easily practical enough for a
family with two children. The new
infotainment is also an important
step forward, especially because
it now comes with Apple CarPlay
and Android Auto.
“I didn’t actually need more
range, but I’m sure the 245 miles
that the new, bigger battery
provides will take the fear out
of electric cars for many people.
It helps that it can now charge
much quicker, too, even if I rarely
use public rapid chargers; I can’t
charge at home, but I can at work.
“I don’t mind that Renault has
removed the option to lease the
battery, rather than buying it
outright, because my car’s battery
still had all of its original capacity
after three years of ownership.”
Age 22
Job Technical
director
Drives Renault Zoe
“The Zoe has definitely been
improved in all the key areas. The
design is much more stylish than
before, especially at the front,
plus there are now foglights and
‘scrolling’ LED indicators.
“The infotainment is much
better as well. The digital
instrument display is bigger,
at 10.0in, and lets you see the
sat-nav map. I also prefer the
portrait orientation of the new
9.3in central touchscreen to
the old 7.0in landscape screen.
It’s very responsive, easy to use
and fully customisable, like a
tablet computer. There’s a 4G
data connection as well, so the
car can receive wireless software
updates, and the upgraded Bose
stereo sounds great.
“The interior is surprisingly
spacious and its design is
completely new. I also like the
introduction of recycled plastic
material for the seats; it works
well in combination with leather
on the high-spec GT-Line model.
The material feels much softer
than that used in the BMW i3.
“I’m excited to hear that
there’s a more powerful model
with 134bhp. There’s also talk of
a Zoe RS hot hatch, which would
widen the appeal of electric cars.”
‘I’m excited to hear there’s a more
powerful model with 134bhp’
Portrait-orientated 10.0in touchscreen gets the thumbs-up from all of our readers
New model is practical enough for a family with two kids, according to Zoe owner Lyn