Little on the outside, large on range

[Bam Bam]

This video is about a new product that can act as a range extender, at the cost of boot space. Is this the aftermarket answer for your niche use case, @Gomev ?

 

[Gomev]

This video is about a new product that can act as a range extender, at the cost of boot space. Is this the aftermarket answer for your niche use case, @Gomev ?

I don't think so. The solution to my 'niche user case' of not requiring a large car but wanting a decent range actually exists in the car I have now and it's sister (Kona and e-Niro). Both have unfortunately been superseded by next gen models which have grown in dimensions, so replacing with similar will be hard to do.
When I park next to other EVs in car parks they all seem very large and tall, apart from the urban cars that don't have the range I would like.
As most use case is 90 percent runaround with the occasional long journeys I want the best of both worlds, a runaround that can do long journeys rather than a grand tourer that can do urban journeys.

 

[Bam Bam]

I don't think so. The solution to my 'niche user case' of not requiring a large car but wanting a decent range actually exists in the car I have now and it's sister (Kona and e-Niro). Both have unfortunately been superseded by next gen models which have grown in dimensions, so replacing with similar will be hard to do.
When I park next to other EVs in car parks they all seem very large and tall, apart from the urban cars that don't have the range I would like.
As most use case is 90 percent runaround with the occasional long journeys I want the best of both worlds, a runaround that can do long journeys rather than a grand tourer that can do urban journeys.

The earlier Kona was a very unusual car.

Dimensions and Weight​

Length

Width

Width with mirrors

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4205 mm​

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1800 mm​

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2070 mm​

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Thereplacement Kona seems huge but has only a slightly larger footprint...

Dimensions and Weight​

Length

Width

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4355 mm​

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1825 mm​

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The MG4 footprint is somewhere between the two...

Dimensions and Weight​

Length

Width

Width with mirrors

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4287 mm​

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1836 mm​

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2060 mm​

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Whereas the R5 is much shorter

Dimensions and Weight​

Length

Width

Width with mirrors

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3922 mm​

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1808 mm​

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2020 mm​

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Could Renault create an extended range R5 and squeeze in an extra 15 or 20 kWh to the chassis?

I don't know for sure, but I'm tempted to think the skateboard is too small, unless/until battery density increases.

But Renault aren't going to because they don't think it would sell. The poor sales of the ER MG4 indicate this.

In the meantime you could buy the 52kWh R5 and buy the extra pack (when it is available) to go with it to get it up to 69kWh.

Or buy the new Kona which is only slightly larger footprint and has the same range as yours?

Maybe I'm just misunderstanding what you want; what are the footprint dimensions and battery size you are looking for?

Oversize cars?
I agree it is a shame that cars have been inflating so much in size in recent years.

People have cars that are much larger than they need and it is inefficient from a whole-fleet or social perspective.

I liked the MG4 because it looked a bit like a hatchback-type car but when you park next to a golf you see it is quite a bit taller.

 

[Gomev]

Maybe I'm just misunderstanding what you want; what are the footprint dimensions and battery size you are looking for?

Oversize cars?
I agree it is a shame that cars have been inflating so much in size in recent years.

People have cars that are much larger than they need and it is inefficient from a whole-fleet or social perspective.

Maybe you are, and maybe it's because I'm not explaining an inexplicable feeling.

The new Kona as an example looks and feels huge compared to my Kona, which feels compact. Physical dimensions are irrelevant if the car is the same size but feels huge. That's probably down to fantastic design that you can create that Tardis effect or maybe because they are now literally box shapes on wheels, rather than car shapes. See what I mean...a feeling.

 

[Everest]

maybe because they are now literally box shapes on wheels, rather than car shapes.

Have you looked closely at / tried an ID.3? (and no, I'm not on commission!)

 

[Gomev]

Have you looked closely at / tried an ID.3? (and no, I'm not on commission!)

I haven't looked properly. My only concern is possibly the height for entry/exit. I moved from the MG5 largely because I found it very low and my Kona is a nice inbetweeny height for getting in and out. That is I don't have to climb to get in like in my daughters Santa Fe and I don't have to climb out like my son in law's Tesla 3.
I've slightly shot myself in the foot with the Kona as it has for me the perfect blend of useability and efficiency. The ID3 needs the 77/79 kWh battery to achieve the same range as the 64/65 kWh Kona. The efficiency of this Kona is unreal in comparison. Only real downside for the Kona is charging speed on DC which is slow.
Anyways, who knows what will be around in 12/18 months when I reckon my next change may be likely.

 

[LenEV2016]

I haven't looked properly. My only concern is possibly the height for entry/exit. I moved from the MG5 largely because I found it very low and my Kona is a nice inbetweeny height for getting in and out. That is I don't have to climb to get in like in my daughters Santa Fe and I don't have to climb out like my son in law's Tesla 3.
I've slightly shot myself in the foot with the Kona as it has for me the perfect blend of useability and efficiency. The ID3 needs the 77/79 kWh battery to achieve the same range as the 64/65 kWh Kona. The efficiency of this Kona is unreal in comparison. Only real downside for the Kona is charging speed on DC which is slow.
Anyways, who knows what will be around in 12/18 months when I reckon my next change may be likely.

Volkswagen ID.3 driver's seat height above the ground varies by model year, but is adjustable between a minimum of approximately 615mm to 630mm and a maximum of 690mm to 706mm. The specific range depends on the model, such as the 2025 GTX (615mm-690mm) or the 2023 Pro S (629mm-706mm).

Kona EV is
2018 Kona EV: \(628\)–\(678\) mm
2023 Kona Electric: \(657\)–\(735\) mm