© 2024 New Atlas
Automotive

Renault opens online reservations for Twizy all-electric two-seater

By Darren Quick
May 13, 2011
Renault opens online reservations for Twizy all-electric two-seater
The Twizy Urban
The Twizy Urban
View 7 Images
The Twizy Urban
1/7
The Twizy Urban
The Twizy Urban
2/7
The Twizy Urban
The Twizy Urban
3/7
The Twizy Urban
The Twizy Technic
4/7
The Twizy Technic
The Twizy Technic
5/7
The Twizy Technic
The Twizy on show at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2009 (Photo: Gizmag)
6/7
The Twizy on show at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2009 (Photo: Gizmag)
The Twizy on show at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2009 (Photo: Gizmag)
7/7
The Twizy on show at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2009 (Photo: Gizmag)
View gallery - 7 images

Renault is now taking online reservations for its Twizy two-seater all-electric micro car ahead of its launch in Europe later this year. The announcement made at the Barcelona Motor Show relates to two models – the Twizy 45, which is equipped with a five-horsepower (4 kW) electric motor, and the Twizy, which is equipped with a 17 hp (13 kW) motor and comes in Urban or Technic trims. However, the purchase prices for all variants, which start at EUR6,990 for the Twizy 45, don't include the battery, which will be leased from the company for a monthly fee.

The Twizy, which made its first official appearance at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, features a compact tandem design that places the single passenger directly behind the driver.

Both the Twizy and Twizy 45 boast a range of 100 km (62 miles) and can recharge from a standard 10 amp electrical outlet in around 3.5 hours. While the Twizy Urban and Technic can reach a top speed of 80 km/h (50 mph), the Twizy 45 is capped to 45 km/h (28 mph) – hence its name.

The Twizy on show at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2009 (Photo: Gizmag)
The Twizy on show at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2009 (Photo: Gizmag)

The Twizy 45's limited top speed means the vehicle can be driven without a license in certain countries with Renault pitching the vehicle at younger drivers – or their parents – looking for a safer, more comfortable transport option than a motorbike.

The Twizy 45 will set buyers back EUR6,990 (approx. US$9,930) with an additional EUR45 (approx. US$64) a month for the li-ion battery. The Twizy Urban carries a purchase price of EUR7,690 (approx. US$10,930) with EUR49 (approx. US$70) a month for leasing the battery, while the Twizy Technic goes for EUR8,490 (approx. US$12,065), again with the battery leased at EUR49 a month.

European customers can reserve their choice of Twizy online now with a EUR20 deposit.

View gallery - 7 images

Tags

AutomotiveRenaultElectric VehiclesEurope
12 comments
Darren Quick
Darren Quick
Darren's love of technology started in primary school with a Nintendo Game & Watch Donkey Kong (still functioning) and a Commodore VIC 20 computer (not still functioning). In high school he upgraded to a 286 PC, and he's been following Moore's law ever since. This love of technology continues as Managing Editor of New Atlas.

Most Viewed

Load More
12 comments
Von Meerman
I\'d prefer to buy the battery outright, than lease it.
Charles Cotsis
I\'d be afraid that other vehicles wouldn\'t see me driving this until it\'s too late. Also; how would it stand against Maine winters?
Neil Larkins
Kinda undecided about leasing the batteries versus purchasing. Both ways have their advantages and disadvantages.
Renault seems far behind the curve on this size EV. I live in Arizona - the Phoenix area - and have seen golfcarts that look just like it...and can perform as well or better for about the same price. As well, one can license golfcarts for city street use here. I\'ve heard other states, like Florida are similar. Nevertheless, there is already an extensive service and support infrastructure here in the U.S. for golfcarts and their myriad cousins and incarnations. Where would you get your Twizy serviced?
donwine
Finally someone is on the right track. Batteries do not last. A lease will insure a measure of reliability and save you from a heart attack when purchasing a new set. They may not have all the issues covered but the battery was the big one. Good gob!
Ed
What makes this thing any different than any of the myriad of golf carts I see every day? Because when you get right down to it, that\'s all it really is! And most golf carts are far cheaper than this thing and you don\'t look like a fool driving one!
dsloan48
does Renault still sell vehicles here in the US?
Rex Alfie Lee
I would suggest that leasing the battery means that when the battery dies it will be replaced & the other option is as batteries improve they can be updated. EUR49 (approx. US$70) is still a lot cheaper than a month\'s fuel. It is somewhat a rip-off though but the battery is the expensive part...
RandolphStreet50
First thing that came to mind when I seen this were Commander Adama\'s classic words: \"You CAN\'T be serious!\" From that 5-letter amalgamation for a name that outdoes even Volkswagen\'s drug-induced recent monikers to this WTF of a rented battery to that wacked-out design [evidently shared with/ripped off by Nissan], I shudder to think of the outcome should this doohickey with its laudable mission run afoul of an even slightly larger gas-gulper. And especially in the UNLICENSED hands of kids! This poky little pony would do well in the gated-community universe but not on real roads jammed with traffic and road-raging psychos. Some lunatic would be bound to hit it on purpose. It\'s a tossup as to whether I want to sample what whoever at Ren-O was smoking when they cooked up this goofy gadget. Cute but way impractical.
Walt Stawicki
But they don\'t have golfcarts in Europe, see...
And rental batteries are part of keeping costs down and allowing a much cleaner transition as newer cells become available. The Company can buy all at once and there is nothing for drivers but a quick swap out at the shop, no do it yourself negotiations, disposal etcetcetc or big upfront cost.

as for the form factor/ size issues....as we move to more dense urban styles (efficiency of infrastructure) we will need more compact city transport, and will rely more and more on rental cars for the vacations and expeditions.
Burnerjack
Who would want a "normal" looking EV like the Chevy Volt or Leaf when you can have something that looks like it was used on the set of "2001 A Space Odyssey"? Where can I get a copy of the Vehicle used in "Lost In Space"? Now THAT would be cool (?!).
Load More