The Mobilize Limo, a car created by a joint partnership between Renault and China's Jiangling Motors, will make its debut at the Munich IAA Mobility 2021 show on September 8th.
Key takeaways
The Limo is an all-electric saloon that has been designed for taxi, ride-hailing and fleet use and will be available through a subscription service only, though more on that later.
The car itself, with its slightly raised profile - thanks to the underfloor batteries - and sloping rear roofline, looks not unlike Renault's current Arkana model.
There are a couple of distinctive features like the pop-out door handles, and the Limo comes with 17-inch alloy wheels as standard.
Appropriately for its projected use as a taxi, the interior upholstery is made of an easily cleaned soft-touch faux leather.
A combination of the 10.5-inch screen for the instrument panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen for the infotainment functions means that screens stretch across much of the dashboard.
With the professional driver in mind, the electrically adjustable driver's seat is equipped with eight different settings to ensure maximum comfort for long periods spent behind the wheel.
A refrigerated storage compartment between the front seats will likely be ideal for drivers using the Limo for food delivery drops.
Importantly for taxi passengers, there's 288mm of knee room in the back and, thanks to the electric powertrain, a flat floor meaning that it'll accommodate three in the rear in relative comfort. Two USB charging ports, stereo volume control knobs, adjustable air vents and reading lights further go to illustrate the Limo's intended use.
A 411-litre boot will swallow large suitcases making it ideal for airport runs.
Motor skills
The Limo is equipped with a 60kWh battery offering 280km of range, though that's still pending WLTP verification. According to the company, it's compatible with most recharging setups from public stations to home wallboxes. With fast charging, it can, apparently, be topped up to deliver around 240km in 40 minutes.
With a 150hp electric motor, the Mobilize Limo delivers a 0-100km/h time of 9.6 seconds and a 140km/h top speed, though as it's intended largely for urban use, outright performance is missing the point.
More important will be things like the tight 11.2-metre turning circle - still around 4 metres more than an old London black cab though - and a sound that alerts pedestrians to the Limo's presence which activates at speeds under 30km/h.
Sharing the love
According to Renault, the ride-sharing market - that's taxis and Uber-type set-ups - is set to grow from €28 billion today to around €50 billion by 2030. With the rise of Low Emissions Zones, professional drivers in urban areas are going to need access to cheap, electrified vehicles if they're going to continue operating. That's the idea behind the Mobilize Limo.
The Limo will not be offered for sale, but rather through a subscription service depending on the driver's or company's requirements. Rental agreements will include flexible mileage and contract durations aimed at catering to "everyone, be they full-time, part-time or one-off drivers."
"Casual drivers," according to Mobilize, "will have access to a pay-as-you-drive solution, while Mobilize packages will also include services such as manufacturer-backed warranties, maintenance, insurance, and charging solutions."
The Limo's multimedia system will provide for smartphone mirroring via the infotainment screen, as most drivers use their own devices for accessing platforms like Uber.
A Limo app specifically for professional drivers provides all the car's information and can be used, according to the company, to remotely access the car's location and certain features, such as locking/unlocking the doors, setting the climate and scheduling charging times.
According to Mobilize's CEO, Clothilde Delbos, "The first Mobilize model, Limo, is the new brand's response to the evolution of the ride-hailing market. This offer, which combines a vehicle and flexible services, fully illustrates Mobilize's ability to the changing needs of vehicle users. It also demonstrates a unique know-how resulting from the experience of the Renault Group in mobility services and RCI Bank and Services' strength in financing."