2011 Renault Twizy

Renault car maker has unveiled new Twizy ultra-compact city car and show it’s at Paris Motor Show Last September. The European marketing of Renault Twizy is scheduled for the end of 2011 , while bookings are already open on Renault site Z.E. speak of a purchase price similar to that of a three-wheel scooter and therefore probably close to 7,000 euros.

2011 Renault Twizy is an innovative response to the challenge of urban mobility With its four-wheel chassis. The ultra-compact dimensions of Twizy Z.E. Concept (2.30m in length, and just 1.13m wide) ensure that it is nimble enough for urban use. The four-wheel arrangement, open bodywork and a seat format which puts the driver and passenger behind one another express Twizy Z.E. Concept’s distinctive character. It seats two, with the passenger sitting behind the driver. It has a 31 liter lock-box/luggage compartment underneath the rear seat that can be expanded to 55 liters and can hold a small shopping bag or a briefcase.

Renault promises the car will be nimble and practical. Given that the car weighs just 450 kg, including the 100 kg battery pack, and has a turning circle of only 3.4 meters, that may very well be the case. The Twizy comes with a 15kW (20 PS) electric motor with 57 Nm of torque. Top speed is 75 km/h (47 mph) although Renault will be selling a version in certain countries limited to 45 km/h (28 mph).

Inside, the priority has been to make Twizy Z.E. Concept easy to drive. Data is easy for the driver to take in, with displays located at eye level at the base of the windscreen, and grouped in honeycomb shape clusters which are easy to differentiate. For the passenger, getting into the rear seat is simple: the seatback is attached to the roof of the vehicle, allowing the lower part of the seat to pivot. The rear seat can even be adjusted to suit the passenger’s height: the seat cushion can be turned over to become a booster cushion and afford a child better visibility.

The cabin is brightly lit thanks to the bodywork’s extensive glazed surface. The blue and white colour scheme creates a soothing atmosphere which isolates the passengers from the stress of urban activity. The lithium-ion batteries for Twizy Z.E. Concept are located beneath the two seats. They are charged by means of an extendible cable located behind the Renault logo at the front. This cable can be plugged into a 220V 10A or 16A domestic socket, and will fully charge the batteries in just three and a half hours.