Paris (AFP)
The new Renault cars will be restricted to 180 kilometers per hour to avoid accidents, the group's general manager, Luca de Meo, announced on Friday.
To "act" on the speed, which "represents more than a third of the causes of fatal accidents", it "will be capped depending on the vehicle and will not exceed 180km / h, whatever the Renault or Dacia model. ", said Mr. De Meo.
Renault will follow the example of Volvo, which imposed this limit in 2020.
The director of Renault, who presented his social and environmental "roadmap" to the group's shareholders, did not specify whether the 180 km / h rule would be applied to the group's sports brand, Alpine.
The new electric Mégane in any case, whose launch is scheduled for 2022, "will offer a cruise control set by default: its speed will be capped at 160 km / hour," said Luca de Meo.
More broadly, "our vehicles will be equipped with an automatic regulator set by default which will adjust to the authorized speed, according to the signs and geolocation data", underlined the director of Renault.
The regulator, called "Safety coach", will also take into account dangerous bends and roundabouts.
The manufacturer has also advanced its objective of carbon neutrality in Europe by ten years, to 2040, while targeting 2050 at the global level.
By counting on sales composed of 90% electric and hybrid by 2030, the manufacturer will classify its suppliers according to their CO2 emissions, reduce the footprint of its factories, and "pave the way towards a carbon-free battery", according to Mr. De Meo.
The “Safety coach” will also be able to “take over” from the driver based on vehicle data, crossed with the weather forecast or the measurement of the driver's attention.
"If the sensors detect that the hands are no longer on the steering wheel, the vehicle will automatically go to safety," said De Meo.
The "Safety coach" will be gradually deployed on the group's vehicles.
A "rescue code" which allows the emergency services to know the structure of the vehicle in an emergency, and a "firefighter access" to the vehicle battery, allowing it to be drowned as quickly as possible in the event of a fire , will be extended to the entire range in Europe from 2022.
Renault vehicles will also offer a “Safety score”, “a detailed analysis of driving habits to identify deviations and overtaking by the driver”.
"Offered in partnership with insurers, the + Safety coach + will encourage safer driving", underlined the CEO of Renault.
Insurance companies already offer such devices, with prices favoring the wisest drivers.
© 2021 AFP