Renault debuts Mobilize Limo electric sedan for ride-hailing services

In case you’ve missed the memo, Mobilize is a new business unit created by the Renault Group tailored to mobility services. After unveiling a tiny EZ-1 Prototype for the urban commute at the beginning of the year, Mobilize is back to introduce a more substantial car with a rather unoriginal name. Simply called Limo, it’s an all-electric sedan you won’t be able to purchase outright.

Instead, the Mobilize Limo will be a subscription-only EV destined for ride-hailing services for taxis and private hire vehicles. The all-electric sedan is 4.67 meters long, 1.83 meters wide, and 1.47 meters tall, which makes it almost as large as a car from Europe’s midsize segment. If you’re wondering about the wheel size, the car rides on a 17-inch set with smoke-finish lacquered aluminum rims.

It looks significantly different than any other Renault sedan before, but that’s to be expected since it’s technically not a Renault. The Mobilize Limo has a fastback-esque roofline and impressively short overhangs, suggesting it rides on a dedicated EV platform rather than using underpinnings adapted from a conventionally powered car.

The overall design looks like something you’d expect from a Toyota or a Lexus, but perhaps executed in such a way as to cater to European tastes. The Limo has pop-out electronic door handles for better aerodynamics and hosts a generous 2.75-meter wheelbase to deliver copious amounts of rear legroom. The trunk area is also fairly large, offering a cargo capacity of 411 liters and one of those small temporary spare tires underneath the floor.

Stepping inside, the side-by-side screens dominate the dashboard, with the driver’s fully digital display measuring 10.25 inches while the touchscreen stretches at 12.3 inches. Thankfully, the Mobilize Limo still has physical, separate controls for the climate settings, providing quicker access rather than having to navigate through the infotainment’s many menus.

Mobilize, or should we say, Renault, says three adults can fit in the back where there’s 288 mm of knee room and a completely flat floor as you’’ expect from a bespoke EV. Accessing those seats is done through wide-opening rear doors, while the removable middle armrest boasts a pair of cup holders. There are also volume controls in the back, along with dual USB ports and adjustable air vents.

The Limo is powered by a sole electric motor producing 150 hp (110 kW) and 220 Nm (162 lb-ft) of torque, giving it a fairly brisk acceleration to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 9.6 seconds and a top speed of 87 mph (140 km/h). There are three selectable driving modes (Normal, Sport, Eco) and three-stage configurable regenerative braking.

The electric motor gets its juice from a 60-kWh lithium-ion battery pack providing approximately 450 kilometers (280 miles) of range in the WLTP cycle. It supports both AC and DC charging systems and can provide a range of 155 miles (250 kilometers) in only 40 minutes thanks to fast-charging capabilities.

Equipped with full-LED lights, eight airbags, front/rear parking sensors, and a generous array of safety and assistance systems, the Mobilize Limo will make its public debut at the IAA Munich show next month in Germany where Renault will deploy 40 sedans as a trial run. The model will be available for ride-hailing services in the latter half of 2022.

Source: Mobilize