After 12 years of good and loyal service, the Renault Twizy will retire in September 2023. This small, emblematic city car had managed to win the sympathy of general opinion, but is now giving way to a new generation of vehicles.
Presented in 2009 as a concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show, it was launched two years later. Rather one-of-a-kind, the car immediately caused a stir with the public. Handy like a scooter, very quiet and miniature, it represented the urban vehicle par excellence. Although very popular at launch, the Twizy was a moderate success for Renault, especially in the long term.
The mini-revolution on four wheels
As soon as it appeared on the market, the Twizy aroused great enthusiasm, especially among city dwellers. Its design was avant-garde (and has aged rather well by the way) and it fit in a pocket square. 1.2 meters wide for 2.3 meters long. Completely electric, it offered more than enough autonomy (90 kilometres) for urban use.
Renault’s real masterstroke was to make the Twizy accessible to young drivers with an AM license. It was then possible to move legally in this small quadricycle from the age of 14. It was cleverly played, and this first step taken by the brand certainly contributed indirectly to the success of the Citroën Ami. Other manufacturers such as Fiat have also embarked on the adventure.
The Twizy and its many evolutions
The Twizy has undergone many changes and Renault has been able to adapt its vehicle to suit very different demands. The variations offered from the same base are sometimes very surprising, and the Twizy has been given multiple roles.
In 2013, Renault released a very practical variant for the transport of goods: the Twizy Cargo. With additional storage space, it was ideal for many businesses in urban areas. Later in 2016, it even served as an emergency vehicle for the Wuppertal fire brigade in Germany. The Bonn police also used it, as it was so practical and agile to handle in the city centre.
In the stranger versions, the Twizy will also have had its F1 version (see photo above) which was equipped with 82 horsepower in addition to the basic version. The result ? A bombinette that tore up the bitumen and which shot down the 0 to 100 km/h in 6 seconds. It was obviously a concept, unavailable for purchase. She even had a role in the movie Zero Theorem by Terry Gilliam, a work of SF which, however, had a mixed reception. But it was clearly not the fault of the Twizy!
After more than 33,000 vehicles sold, Renault is ending production of its little toy. Even if it is not one of the brand’s best-sellers, its career has left an undeniable mark on the landscape of urban mobility. It is therefore bowing out to make way for its replacement: the Mobilize Duo which will take over with, we hope, more sales at stake.
Sources: Clean Automotive, Renault
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