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July 8, 2022
Test Drive: Renault Lutecia E-TECH Hybrid – Sporty Performance Meets Astonishing Fuel Economy | Renault
Renault Lutecia E-TECH Hybrid
Test Drive: Renault Lutecia E-TECH Hybrid – Sporty Performance Meets Astonishing Fuel Economy
Following the "Arkana," a new coupe SUV launched in May 2022, the "Lutecia E-TECH Hybrid," a hatchback equipped with Renault's unique hybrid system derived from F1 technology, was released on June 30th. Motor journalist Fumio Ogawa test-drives the car and reports on its performance.
Text by Fumio Ogawa | Hirohiko Mochizuki
A Different Driving Character from the Arkana
Renault's French-style hybrid is intriguing. Following the SUV "Arkana," the "Lutecia E-TECH Hybrid," released on June 30, 2022, is a car that car enthusiasts should definitely pay attention to, with its nimble handling and astonishing fuel efficiency.
The Lutecia E-TECH Hybrid combines a 1.6-liter gasoline engine with an electric motor. Its maximum output of 67kW and maximum torque of 144Nm are supplemented by the motor's 205Nm of torque. While the figures are nearly identical to the Arkana, which was released earlier in Japan, the driving character is quite different.
The best word to describe the Lutecia E-TECH Hybrid is its smooth ride. It's almost sporty. The acceleration, with the motor adding torque, the responsive steering, and the stable handling with suppressed body roll are all impressively well-executed.
The Lutecia itself, originally released with a 1.3-liter engine and a 7-speed AT (Intense trim), was already impressive for its handling and ride comfort. While the Lutecia E-TECH Hybrid has a slightly firmer suspension, it successfully enhances the Lutecia's inherent driving pleasure.
Up to about 40 km/h, it runs on electric power (if the battery charge is sufficient). After that, the engine starts, but the shock and noise are barely perceptible. You only realize the powertrain's status by looking at the meter.
As mentioned earlier regarding its similarity to the Arkana, they share the same transmission. Renault's analysis, informed by deep knowledge of the European market, suggests that while many Japanese hybrids, lacking a transmission, are efficient in city driving, they tend to lose power at higher speeds. This is why Renault has developed its own transmission to improve high-speed cruising performance.
It features gears for both the output and drive sides, allowing for 12 different combinations to select the optimal gear based on speed and acceleration.