Renault Twizy Explained

Renault Twizy
Manufacturer:Renault
Aka:Nissan New Mobility Concept (Japan)
Production:2012 – September 2023[1]
Class:Microcar Quadricycle
Body Style:2-door quadricycle
Layout:Rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Doors:Scissor
Motor:ISKRA asynchronous motor
Battery:6.1 kWh lithium-ion battery
Electric Range:90km (60miles) (NEDC)
Wheelbase:1686mm
Length:2338mm
Width:1234mm
Height:1454mm
Weight:4500NaN0
Transmission:Single gear
Successor:Mobilize Duo (Europe)
Designer:François Leboine, Eduardo Lana[2]

The Renault Twizy is a two-seat electric microcar designed and marketed by Renault. It is classified in Europe as either a light or heavy quadricycle depending on the output power, which is either 4kW for the 45 model or 13kW for the 80 model, both names reflecting its top speed in km/h. Originally manufactured in Valladolid, Spain,[3] [4] production was moved to Busan in South Korea in March 2019 to meet increased demand in Asia.[5] In July 2023 it was announced that production of the Twizy was to end in September 2023; it is to be replaced by the new Mobilize Duo.[6]

The Twizy debuted as a concept car at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show[7] and was designed by Françoise Leboinne and Luciano Bove. In November 2010, Nissan announced a rebadged variant to the Twizy, called the New Mobility Concept, or NMC. It was also displayed as a concept with Renault Samsung badging at the 2011 Seoul Motor Show,[8] although it was branded as a Renault in South Korea for production. In May 2011, Renault announced they would produce the Twizy and began taking reservations.

In March 2012, the Twizy was released to the French market, followed a month later by several other European countries.[9] Available in three models, the Twizy sales price does not include the battery pack, which is leased for a monthly fee that includes roadside assistance and a battery replacement guarantee.[10] [11] In 2020 the Twizy became available as a direct purchase in the UK, no longer requiring the battery rental.[12]

The Twizy was the top-selling plug-in electric vehicle in Europe during 2012. The milestone of Twizys sold worldwide was achieved in April 2015.[13] Global cumulative sales totaled 29,118 units through December 2019, with Europe as its main market.

Specifications

Construction and safety

The Twizy is an ultra-compact vehicle, with a length of 2.32m (07.61feet), a width of 1.19m (03.9feet) and a height of 1.46m (04.79feet).

The vehicle's frame and body offer occupants extra protection with its deformable structure, while the outboard position of the four wheels and the lateral beams located either side of the chassis provide protection in case of a side impact. The safety retention systems include a driver's airbag, a four-point safety belt at the front and a three-point one at the rear.

The Twizy may be winterized with winter tires and adding flexi side windows to enclose the cabin. Heating would be provided by plugging in electric blankets to keep the driver warm.[14]

Models

The Twizy model is electric, and it therefore is part of Renault's Zero Emissions program.

Twizy Urban

Twizy Urban 45

The Twizy range starts with the light quadricycle-classed Urban 45 that was originally priced at in Europe with a monthly battery lease charge of .[15] The price has since been raised to around €10,300 exc. VAT but now includes the battery.[16] It has a motor power of 40NaN0, a maximum speed of 450NaN0 and can thus be driven in most European countries by drivers from 14 years old with a special driving licence (France, Italy, Spain) or with a moped licence (Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Austria, Finland, Slovenia).[17]

Twizy Urban 80

The heavy quadricycle-classed Urban 80 model features a 130NaN0 electric motor and can drive up to 800NaN0.

Twizy Colour and Technic

The Colour model is a colourful and 'fun' Twizy available for both the 45 and 80 trims.

The Technic model brings additional design elements while sharing the technical features with the Urban. It is available for both the 45 and 80 trims.

Twizy Cargo

In June 2013 Renault announced the introduction of the Twizy Cargo, a model designed for hauling goods. The space destined for the seat of the second passenger was replaced with a cargo box with a volume of 180L and maximum weight capacity of 75kg (165lb).[18] [19]

Twizy Cargo

The Cargo 45 has 4 kW of power and top speed is limited to 45km/h.The car only has 1 seat and there is a larger space behind the driver to store goods.[18] The Cargo 80 delivers a top speed of 80km/h.

Nissan NMC

A rebadged version of the Twizy was launched in Japan as the Nissan New Mobility Concept (NMC). The electric vehicle was deployed in Yokohama on 11 October 2013 for service on a one-way carsharing program called "Choimobi Yokohama" (Choimobi means "easy mobility" in Japanese). During its first month on the market, over 2700 customers signed up for the service.[20] [21] A total of 45 units were registered through the end of October 2013.[22] The NMC is classified as a kei car due to the car's dimensions and as such is equipped with yellow license plates.

The Nissan-badged version was also used by Scoot, an American scooter sharing company, as a pilot for car-sharing operation in San Francisco.[23]

Twizy F1

Following the footsteps of Renault Espace F1, in April 2013 Renault Sport exhibited the Twizy F1, a concept version of the car that featured Formula One technologies such as KERS. The KERS system and an upgraded electric motor boosted the car's power to 720NaN0, allowing to accelerate at comparable times with the Renault Sport Mégane R.S. 265 and reaching speeds up to 1090NaN0. The car is equipped with various open-wheel aerodynamic and other racing parts, including tyres from a Formula Renault 2.0 car and steering wheel from a Formula Renault 3.5 car.[24]

Twizy Delivery Concept

The Twizy Delivery Concept was developed from the VELUD project with École d'ingénieurs généralistes La Rochelle, Airparif, La Petite Reine Groupe Stars Service and the City of Paris for last-mile deliveries beginning in 2014. It consisted of a Twizy with shortened rear bodywork and an additional 2-wheeled trailer-like module for carrying containers sizing up to 1 cubic metre, forming a six-wheeled box-truck like vehicle. It was used in experimental test phases in Paris.[25]

Battery

The 6.10NaN0 lithium-ion battery is located underneath the front seat. Both motor variants carry the same weight of 4740NaN0,[26] including batteries of 1000NaN0. The range is homologated at 100km (100miles). In real conditions, Renault announces around 80km (50miles). At high speed and no eco-driving) the Twizy's range is about .

The battery can be charged with an extendable spiral cable stored beneath a flap at the front of the vehicle.The integrated charger is compatible with roadside battery charging facilities as well as the standard 220-240 V 10 A household electrical supply. Charging an empty battery takes around three-and-a-half hours.

A planned Renault battery plant near Paris was delayed due to technical constraints. Construction will start in the second quarter of 2012 and production of batteries is expected to begin in 2014 or 2015. In the meantime Renault intends to buy batteries for its EV range from a joint venture between Nissan Motor and NEC as well as LG Chem of South Korea.[27]

Twizy is only supplied with LG Chem modules. Batteries are assembled in Renault Valladolid plant.

Safety

The Twizy 80 in its standard European market configuration received two stars in the Euro NCAP Quadricycle Ratings in 2014.[28]

Sales

Since its market launch in March 2012, global sales reached 9,020 units through the end of 2012,[29] of which, 9,015 units were sold in Europe,[29] making the Twizy the best-selling plug-in electric vehicle in the European market that year.[30] In France, a total of 1,551 units were registered through June 2012, including 1,212 Twizy 80s and 339 Twizy 45s, representing a market share of 89% in the heavy quadricycle segment, and a market share of 28.5% among all categories of electric vehicles sold in France during the first half of 2012, surpassing the Bollore Bluecar, the top selling highway-capable all-electric car during this time period.[31]

Global sales fell 66.4% in 2013 from 2012, with 3,025 units delivered. Cumulative sales reached 14,160 units through October 2014.[32], the best-selling markets were Germany with 3,728 units and France with 3,276 units, followed by Italy with 2,265 units, Spain with 1,292, and Benelux with 1,137 units delivered since 2011.[33] The milestone of Twizys sold worldwide was achieved in April 2015.[13]

In 2016, Renault introduced the Twizy to Ecuador, along with the Renault Kangoo, expecting to import at least 150 to 200 units between the two models. The carmaker teamed with a shopping centre in Cumbayá (a suburb of Quito) and the Ecuadorean Production Ministry to hold a draw for two examples in an introductory campaign. The winners received their cars on 17 February. All subsequent units are scheduled to arrive in-country from June, 2016, and will retail from US$14,990.[34] Sales in Latin America totaled 305 units through May 2016, with Colombia as the regional market leader with 252 units, followed by Brazil with 34 units. The Renault Twizy 40 was certified by Transport Canada in March 2016, and was scheduled to be released on the Canadian market by mid-2016.[35]

, Twizy sales led by Germany with 4,404 units, followed by France with 4,048, Italy with 2,696, Spain with 1,551, Benelux with 1,355, and Switzerland with 1,141.[36] Until December 2016, a total of 18,592 units had been sold in Europe, representing 96.1% of global sales.[37] Global sales since inception totaled 29,118 units through December 2019.[38]

In 2020, Renault India said they were considering offering a stripped-down version of the Twizy Cargo for the Indian market.[39]

Carsharing programs

Renault tested a carsharing program called Twizy Way in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France, beginning in late June 2012. During the testing phase the program operated with a fleet of 50 Renault Twizys distributed over a pilot area covering around 270NaN0, and around 200 were allowed to sign up for testing.[10] Twizy Way opened the service to the general public in December 2012.[40]

In 2015, the Scoot scooter sharing company offered rides within San Francisco in the "Scoot Quad", a Twizy with Nissan badging.

Chinese copy

In September 2014 the Chinese company Zhejiang Litong New Energy Automobile Corporation launched the Rayttle E28 which greatly resembles the Twizy in outside appearance, size and claimed performance.[41]

Culture

The Twizy appears in large numbers in the film Ready Player One by Steven Spielberg, released in 2018.[42]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Le Renault Twizy tirera sa révérence en septembre 2023. July 25, 2023. Auto Moto.
  2. Web site: Exclusive: Renault Twizy design story. Marco. Traverso. carbodydesign.com. 2012-05-29. 2022-08-31.
  3. Web site: Renault Twizy. Renault.com. Renault. 8 May 2013.
  4. Web site: Renault ultima la primera hornada de su vehículo 100 % eléctrico, 'made in Spain' . 24 February 2012. es.
  5. Web site: Renault to move Twizy production to South Korea . 16 December 2018.
  6. Web site: L'Automobile Magazine . Renault Twizy: le quadricycle électrique va bientôt raccrocher! . https://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/index2.php?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.automobile-magazine.fr%2Fvoitures-electriques%2Farticle%2F39503-renault-twizy-le-quadricycle-electrique-va-bientot-raccrocher#federation=archive.wikiwix.com&tab=url . 2023-08-16 . fr . Thomas . Kim . 2023-07-24 .
  7. Web site: Pulman. Ben. Renault Twizy ZE electric concept at 2009 Frankfurt motor show. Car Magazine. 19 May 2011.
  8. Web site: 2011-03-31. [서울모터쇼] 혁신적인 2인승 초소형 전기차 '트위지']. 2021-07-27. 탑라이더. ko.
  9. Web site: Twizy Way brings Renault's tiny EV car-sharing in France. Danny. King . Autoblog . 2012-06-15. 2020-05-23. Renault started selling the Twizy EV in France in March and debut sales of the model in the UK in April..
  10. Web site: After driving the Renault Twizy, reviewer calls it "the only EV I could imagine owning". Eric. Loveday. AutoblogGreen . 2011-08-12. 2011-08-13.
  11. Web site: Renault Twizy (2011): the tandem-seat electric city car. Ben. Pulman . Car Magazine. 2010-09-30. 2011-08-13.
  12. Web site: Electric Vehicle Range - Renault Cars & Vans - Renault UK. Renault.co.uk. 29 July 2022.
  13. Web site: 15,000 Renault Twizy Now in Circulation. Electro mobility helps respect the environment, reduce acoustic pollution, and contributes to preserving our cultural heritage, damaged everyday by car exhaust gases... With 20% of vehicles using electric power, particulate concentration in the city air could be reduced by up to 30%, and NO2 concentration by 45%.. AutoVolt magazine. 2015-04-01. 2015-04-02.
  14. News: Renault Twizy Comes to Canadian Cities . Autotrader.ca . 22 April 2016 . autoTRADER .
  15. News: Nissan Leaf sales begin in Spain. The Independent. 2011-05-12 . 2011-05-18.
  16. Web site: Renault TWIZY . 2022-09-30 . www.renault.nl . nl.
  17. Web site: Renault Twizy will be launched over a year and will cost . Fantasi Cars . 19 May 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110721201017/http://fantasticars.info/2010/02/13/renault-twizy-will-be-launched-over-a-year-and-will-cost-5000-euros/ . 21 July 2011 .
  18. Web site: Renault Unveils Twizy Cargo Electric Delivery Vehicle . Mark Kane. InsideEVs.com . 2013-06-24. 2013-06-26.
  19. Web site: Twizy Cargo – Renault lance une version utilitaire du Twizy pour les professionnels. fr. Twizy Cargo - Renault launches a utility version of the Twizy for professionals . Michaël Torregrossa. Association pour l'Avenir du Véhicule Electrique Méditerranéen (AVEM). 2013-06-24. 2013-06-26.
  20. Web site: Nissan New Mobility Concept enters carsharing service in Japan. Danny King. Autoblog Green . 2013-09-27. 2013-11-30.
  21. Web site: More than 2,700 sign up in first month of "Choimobi Yokohama" Car Sharing Service using NISSAN New Mobility CONCEPT Ultra-Compact EV. House of Japan. 2013-11-18. 2013-11-30. dead. https://archive.today/20131130152146/http://www.houseofjapan.com/auto-moto/more-than-2700-sign-up-in-first-month-of-choimobi-yokohama-car-sharing-service-using-nissan-new-mobility-concept-ultra-compact-ev. 2013-11-30.
  22. Web site: Japan October 2013. Jose Pontes. EV Sales. 2013-11-30. 2013-11-30.
  23. Web site: Is An Electric Scoot Quad (Nee Renault Twizy) Car-Sharing's Urban Future? . Voelcker . John . Green Car Reports . 2015-11-11 . 2020-04-18.
  24. Web site: Ramsey . Jonathon . Twizy Renault Sport F1 is a racy EV that defies categorization . Autoblog . 29 December 2019.
  25. Web site: Renault Developing Twizy Delivery Concept. 2021-07-27. InsideEVs. en.
  26. Web site: Prices - Twizy - Electric Vehicles - Renault Cars - Renault UK . 2013-02-21 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121130234150/http://www.renault.co.uk/cars/model/twizy/pricesandspecs.aspx . 2012-11-30 .
  27. News: Renault says battery plant project delayed . 2011-06-15. Helen. Beresford. Reuters.
  28. Web site: Renault Twizy 80 : All-electric, 2 seat heavy quadricycle. Cdn.euroncap.com. 29 July 2022.
  29. Web site: Ventes Mensuelles. fr. Monthly Sales. Renault . 2013-01-18. 2013-01-18. Click on Ventes mensuelles December 2012, and download the file 294 Ko.xls, and open the TWIZY tab.
  30. Web site: Video: Twizy Twists Its Way Through Renault's Indoor Technocentre. Eric Loveday. . 2013-02-15 . 2013-06-21.
  31. Web site: Véhicules électriques – Les immatriculations en France au premier semestre 2012. fr. Electric Vehicles – Registrations in France in the first half of 2012 . Association pour l'Avenir du Véhicule Electrique Méditerranéen (AVEM). 2012-07-12. 2012-07-18.
  32. Web site: Renault Electric Car Sales Quietly Surpass 50,000. Mark Kane. InsideEVs.com. 2014-11-22. 2014-11-29.
  33. Web site: Ventes Mensuelles. fr. Monthly Sales. Groupe Renault. Renault.com. November 2014. 2014-11-29. Click on "Ventes mensuelles du groupe (décembre 2011) (xls, 183 Ko)" "Ventes mensuelles (décembre 2012) (xls, 289 Ko)" - Ventes mensuelles (décembre 2013) (xlsx, 227 Ko)" - "Ventes mensuelles (octobre 2014) (XLSX - 219 Ko)" to download the files for 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 sales, and open the tab "Twizy Renault".
  34. Web site: Renault entregó sus dos primeros autos eléctricos en Cumbayá. es. Renault Awards its First Electric Cars in Cumbayá. 2016-02-17. ElComercio.com. Araujo. Alberto. Quito, Ecuador.
  35. Web site: Renault Twizy 40 arrives in Canada . Mike . Millikin . Green Car Congress . 2016-03-18. 2016-03-20.
  36. Web site: Ventes Mensuelles . fr. Monthly Sales . Groupe Renault . Renault.com . June 2016 . 2016-06-22. Click on "Ventes mensuelles (mai 2016)" to download the file "XLSX - 237 Ko" for CYTD sales through May 2016, and open the tab "TWIZY RENAULT" for details by country and by region.
  37. Web site: Ventes Mensuelles . fr. Monthly Sales . Groupe Renault . Renault.com . January 2017 . 2017-01-19. Click on "(décembre 2016)" to download the file "XLSX - 239 Ko" for CYTD sales in 2016, and open the tab "TWIZY RENAULT".
  38. Web site: 2019 Universal Registration Document . Groupe Renaul . Renault . 2020-03-19 . 2020-05-22. See pp. 24: Since the launch of the Renault electric program, the Group has sold more than 252,000 electric vehicles in Europe and more than 273,550 electric vehicles worldwide. Since inception, a total of 181,893 Zoe cars, 48,821 Kangoo Z.E. electric vans and 29,118 Twitzy quadricycles have been sold globally through December 2019.
  39. Web site: Natarajan. Bala. Renault India looking at re-engineering Twizy for delivery services. 9 February 2020 . 2021-07-27. en-US.
  40. Web site: Twizy Way : retours d'expérience et ouverture d'une boutique. fr. Twizy Way: feedback and opening a boutique. Automobile Propre. 2012-12-04. 2012-12-19.
  41. News: Ning. W.E.. Spotted in China: Rayttle E28 EV is not a Renault Twizy. 26 January 2015. Car News China. 12 January 2015.
  42. Web site: Eric Nebot : L’Entrepreneur Cinéphile Qui Propulse Les Marques À L’Écran . Forbes.