Renault "TWIZY" electric urban vehicle

Renault TWIZY, takes its name from the combination of two words: Twin and Easy. Presented in its definitive form at the Paris Motor Show in 2010, Renault Twizy was designed from the outset as an ultramobile all-electric two-seater vehicle for the modern urban environment.

Although its compact dimensions are likely to prompt comparisons with the world of scooters, Renault Twizy possesses all the fundamentals of a car: a chassis with four wheels, a steering wheel, pedals, and an enveloping body for two occupants sitting in tandem, one behind the other. It sports an open frame with distinct curved lines, a windscreen and roof forming a large glazed area, as well as lights creating an unique lighting signature resembling a futuristic face on the front. Optional gull wing doors complete the look.

.brief spec

2 models : Twizy 80 (requires driver's license in most EU countries) and Twizy 45 (no need for license)

2.34m long, 1.24m wide and 1.45m tall

range of 100 km

6.1 kWh lithium-ion batteries located under the front seats

fully recharged in 3 ½ hours from a domestic socket

lightweight vehicle, 450 kg with the batteries

Twizy 80 ships with a 13 kW (17 hp) electric motor, torque 57 Nm, top speed of 80 kph

Twizy 45 ships with a 4 kW (5 hp) motor, torque of 33 Nm, speed limited to 45 kph.

Renault Twizy is built at Valladolid (Spain).

Renault went out of its way to make the Twizy completely different from anything else on the road. The whole point is to get people to ask questions and to proclaim that the all-electric revolution is upon us - and that Renault is there at the starting line. In fact, Renault makes two other electric vehicles, the Fluence Z.E. (for zero emissions) sedan and the Kangoo Z.E., a mini delivery van, and a compact car, the Zoe, is on the way. But none of those stand out like the Twizy. [1]

.critique

Twizy is on the right track. However, although the vehicle being very narrow, it cannot still go through the lines of cars stuck in traffic. That negates its prime similarity to the common scooter. You cannot also park it anywhere since it is larger than a scooter. That negates the second.

The car is available with three models, starting at 6,990Eur up to 8,490Eur. The sales price does not include the batteries, which can be leased for a monthly fee (around 50Eur) that includes a replacement guarantee - in case of battery breakdown or insufficient capacity - and a roadside assistance. [2] Those prices do not include the cost of electricity. As you can see it still fares a bit more expensive than your ordinary medium range motorcycle, and closer to the price range of a Smart car. Read a hand-on review here.

[1] Ref. http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/renault-twizy-more-than-a-skateboard-less-than-a-car-296704

[2] Ref. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renault_Twizy