Busantourism.com: Renault Twizy – looking to bowl over the scooter crowd

Thứ Bảy, 14 tháng 5, 2011

Renault Twizy – looking to bowl over the scooter crowd

Renault has announced the pricing and opened reservations for its electric Twizy, which is due to go on sale at the end of the year in Europe. There are three versions in all, a 5hp model called the Twizy 45 and two 17 hp variants, the Urban and Technic.

The Twizy 45, as its numerical moniker suggests, has a speed capped at 45 kph, which means it can be driven without a licence in certain countries. With pricing starting from 6,990 Euros for the model, its price – in Europe – also means that young drivers will now be able to afford a vehicle that is safer than a two-wheeler.

As for the faster (80 kph) Twizy twins, which happen to be on display at the ongoing Barcelona Motor Show, the tax-paid prices for the Urban and Technic will start from 7,690 Euros and 8,490 Euros respectively, with a monthly tax-paid cost of the battery lease for both versions being 49 Euros.

The four-wheeled Twizy sits two occupants in tandem, one behind the other like on a scooter or a bike, with wraparound bodywork and side deflectors to ensure enjoyable open-air motoring, but protected from the elements.

Renault adds that it offers greater safety compared with a two-wheeled vehicle, thanks to an extensive list of active and passive safety features. It also allows easier parking, with its compact dimensions (it’s 2,337 mm long, 1,191 mm wide and 1,461 mm tall). The Twizy sits on 13-inch wheels, which wear 125×80 front and 145×80 rear rubbers.

The Twizy’s lithium-ion battery fully charges in just 3.5 hours using a domestic electrical supply via a spiral cable stowed behind a flap at the front. Twizy’s low weight (450kg, including the 100kg battery) helps it get an operational range of around 100 km per charge.

Accessories for the vehicle include an all-purpose, 50 litre capacity bag, a Parrot audio kit (including Bluetooth connectivity, plus a USB connector, a jack socket and an Apple connector), rear parking sensors, additional protection against the weather and a range of customisation options such as coloured alloy wheels and decals, stuff that’ll make your ride Twizy to spot. Sorry, couldn’t resist!