Twizy - The Fun Box

The low-priced Renault Twizy is more of a replacement for a scooter than for a car

Right from the first time you see Renault’s Twizy, you understand that it doesn't really come off as a complete car: it does not have any side panels, a trunk or a stereo, and only there's only one additional seat for a passenger. Those familiar with driving scooters won't need anything else, which is why we can see the advantages of the Twizy: a roof, a windscreen, wipers and an airbag count as safety and comfort features.

Twizy front

After testing it for a week the entertainment factor of the Twizy was also very apparent. Wherever we took it, children laughed and pointed at the funny-looking car while grown-ups ask about the technical details and if it's worth the price. "Does it run without doors?" Yes, it does: the windscreen in front of the driver's seat works just fine and you'll feel safe and comfortable at speeds of up to 80 km/h. The narrow passenger's seat looks quite different than the driver's seat, but it's really cozy and rather accommodating. Besides this, the interior surfaces are water-resistant and there are drainage holes in the floorboard, which means you can simply wash off the dirt with a garden hose as and when the vehicle gets muddy.

Twizy side

The Twizy is surprisingly stable even though the extremely tall body might seem to result in an unfavorable center of gravity. A large part of the dead weight of almost half a tone is mostly the battery and since it is placed at a low position, turning the vehicle is almost like riding a go-cart. It also leads the way in terms of city-friendliness: in spite of a low capacity of 18 PS, it can manage 50 km/h and takes off with full thrust as soon as you step on the gas pedal, which is more than what most cars can promise. The Twizy is permitted on the highway but that's where our patience wore off completely - it's just no fun being overtaken all the time! Apart from freeways, the small car is the most fun on rural roads. For us, it wins against every scooter because you can enjoy your surroundings more without a helmet and the noise of an engine.

Twizy back

Trips out into non-urban areas needs to be planned well in advance, because Renault's capacity of reaching 100 kilometers isn't really very accurate after a 70-kilometer tour, the remaining capacity shown was only seven kilometers. Unlike most of the other electric cars, charging the battery takes only three hours. You have to be able to find a suitable charging station on your way.

A supposedly trivial detail was actually the real highlight for us: the integrated spiral charging cable. Fellow drivers who own large electric cars complain that their charging cables lie on the ground and become dirty. Sooner or later their clothes and hands also become dirty because of this. The Twizy's cable stayed as clean at the end of the test as it was at the beginning.

A scooter or motorcycle can run almost 1,000 kilometers on fuel worth the same amount and so, compared to a small car with a diesel motor, the Renault doesn't really fare well.

The Spoilsport: Battery Charging Costs

The pleasure of the Twizy is completely outweighed when it comes to the cost: the purchase price is much higher than that of the most premium scooters or, for example, the yet-to-be- released BMW CI which can more rightfully be compared to the Twizy because of its roof. The electricity costs for such scooters come to approximately a third of the price of equivalent amounts of petrol. However, a battery rental fee must be added to the running costs, which amounts to approximately $61 per month, even in winters when the vehicle will have to remain in your garage. A scooter or motorcycle can run almost 1,000 kilometers on fuel worth the same amount and so, compared to a small car with a diesel motor, the Renault doesn't really fare well. Like most of the latest electronic cars, a desire to save money will not be the decisive factor for buying it till battery prices fall significantly. The search for such a car with affordable futuristic technology does not conclude with the Twizy, although it does provide a tantalizing glimpse of the design and convenience of future vehicles.