Renault Twizy ZE Concept

The Twizy ZE electric concept takes up barely more space on the road than a scooter, and has similar performance to a 125cc runaround, with a 47mph (75 km/h) top speed.

It's effectively an alternative to a bike, albeit with wraparound structure to protect the driver and the passenger, who sits behind tandem-style.Its 15kW/20bhp electric motor delivers 52lbft of torque, enough for the cut 'n' thrust of urban life and the daily commute. At 2.3m long and just 1.13m wide it can slip through traffic and park in the tiniest of spaces, helped by a 3m turning circle. It's more stable than a scooter, though, thanks to its low centre of gravity and four wheels, and it has been designed to be super-simple to drive, with a honeycomb-shaped instrument cluster and displays at the base of the windscreen.

The body structure provides protection from the weather as well as acting as a safety cell, and car-like safety devices are fitted: there is a driver's airbag, two side airbags, plus a four-point harness for the driver and three-point seatbelt for the passenger. Renault even suggests that a child can sit on the rear seat, which can be adapted to form a booster cushion. The rear seat is fastened to the roof, with a pivoting lower part; underneath it is a 57-litre loadspace, in addition to cubby holes either side of the steering wheel.

The Twizy is finished in pearlescent white paint with full-width wheel fairings and hub caps which entirely cover the tyres, making it look as if it is gliding along the road. There are luminous matrix displays front and rear with honeycomb-shaped diodes, which act as headlights and rear lights but also enable the driver to send messages - or 'smileys' - to other road users. The cabin is blue and white, and display features include a lotus flower pattern to denote the state of charge of the batteries.The open windowless bodywork means that no air conditioning, heating or ventilation systems are needed, keeping down the weight to only 420kg including the batteries, which are located beneath the seats. These give a range of up to 60 miles (96 km), and can be fully recharged in three and a half hours.

Whilst this may look like no more than a cute concept, the Twizy is actually a foretaste of a real production car. Renault is to launch four electric vehicles from 2011, and one developed from the Twizy is scheduled for two years' time.

Source : Channel 4, September 16th, 2009