SPY PICS: Renault Twizy a smart alternative?

It may look like one of those electric mobility scooters that the elderly drive down to the shops, but the Twizy pictured here is a dinkum alternative to conventional commuting.

According to the spy photographers at Carparazzi, the Twizy will be launched in Europe during the northern hemisphere summer, which is our winter, of course. The Twizy will seat two in tandem, according to press material supplied by Renault, and despite its diminutive size (just 2.32 metres in length, 1.19 metres wide and weighing 450kg), will provide a degree of safety as a consequence of its deformable front structure, driver's airbag and a four-point seatbelt in the front (with a three-point belt for the passenger behind). Between the front and rear axlelines for the outboard wheels, there are lateral beams to reduce the severity of the impact forces in the event of a vehicle striking the Twizy in the side.

Renault is pricing the Twizy for Europe from €6990, which is the price payable for the low-output (4kW) electric motor. There's a 15kW motor also available. Batteries are leased for €45 a month, based on annual 'mileage' of 7500km. The range between recharges is 100km and the batteries can be recharged from a standard 220-Volt/10Amp power outlet, just like every home in Australia. It requires no more than 3.5 hours to recharge the battery fully.

The attraction of the Twizy is that its purchase price and running costs are more or less comparable to those of a motorbike, but with more protection from the elements and greater stability. And in Europe, Twizy owners won't be required to wear crash helmets. Renault claims the Twizy boasts a low centre of gravity for driveability. The windscreen extends over the roof of the car and entry is gained via scissor doors at the side. Renault will provide buyers with additional lower panel protection from the weather at extra cost. While the Twizy is tiny, it comes with a 31-litre locker beneath the rear seat, which the manufacturer claims will accommodate a typical briefcase or a light load of shopping. Under the front seat there's a 7kW lithium-ion battery to power the electric motor.

In some countries the 4kW Twizy doesn't require a driver's licence to be operated on the road, which is another reason it's being brought to market in Europe.

-- with Carparazzi

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