Renault has never been the one to shy away from eccentric creations (remember the Avantime?) but the new Twizy certainly takes quirkiness one-step further as it looks like the odd pairing of a golf kart with a motorcycle offering seating for two in a tandem layout while riding on four wheels.
Revealed as a concept for the first time at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, Renault surprised us a year later with the presentation of the production model in Paris. Now, the Twizy is available in European showrooms including Britain where it went on sale today.
The 2.34 metres long by 1.24 metres wide two-seater model is available in three trim levels (Urban, Colour and Technic) and two power variants.
The lower powered Twizy 45 (5hp) with a top speed of 28mph (45km/h) was not originally planned for the UK market, however, the company said that due to recent confirmation that a new category of European licence for 16 year olds and over comes into effect in Britain from January 2013, it is now "studying its sales potential".
The regular Twizy is motivated by a 13kW (17hp) electric motor with a limited top speed of around 50 mph (80km/h). Its battery can be recharged using a standard three-pin plug in three and a half hours, which costs around £1 (depending on the energy supplier) and provides a driving range of around 60 miles (close to 100 kilometers).
Pricing for the 17hp Urban model starts at £6,690 (€8,100 or US$10,700), however, that does not including the battery which Renault leases for a monthly fee of £45 (€54 or US$72) including VAT for a 36 month/4,500 miles (7,240 kilometers) per year agreement.
9 Comments:
The Twizy (what a name!) is a nice electric thought but too slow for the hwy at 28mph max speed and too pricey at $10K US . I've prefer the 3 wheel Carver One.
1 impact and you're f**ked...
This is clearly not destined for US highways, but rather high density urban commuting in Europe & Asia.
One wreck and the Twizy becomes a Twuzy!
I wouldn't be so sure (without failed crash test evidence). If it has a rigid frame it can be as hard as for example Smart. Combine that with low speeds (so even if you crash it the g-forces won't make a milkshake out of your intestines) and you get a pretty decent euro-city car. That's an EV I can accept.
'as safe as a Smart'? What you should say is 'quick trip to a graveyard'
Now old people and golfers can move about aware they are helping the polar bears. Good work Reno!
As HARD as Smart. Have you seen those vids of crashed Smarts? The buggers are rigid as hell.
I always find it interesting that when a small vehicle like this makes it to market, there's always a chorus of yahoos just WAITING for a large, bloody accident to happen.
Like a Mercedes never gets smashed? Ghoulish fiends...
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