With its ultra-compact dimensions (2.34m long, 1.24m wide and 1.45m tall), Renault Twizy was born for urban driving. Homologated as a quadricycle (light or heavy depending on the engine), it ships with a choice of three trim levels and two engines, with or without a driving license. While in Europe, drivers do not need a license, Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz reports in Israel, this will not be the case. The vehicle will be restricted to roadways with a speed limit of 50 KPH (25 MPH) or less, and the operator will require a regular license.

Presented in its definitive form at the Paris Motor Show in 2010, Renault Twizy was designed from the outset as an ultramobile all-electric two-seater vehicle (TWIN and EASY).

Katz believes this may be the ideal solution for some of Israel’s congested cities, permitting one to get about and find parking with this environmentally friendly vehicle.

Although its compact dimensions are likely to prompt comparisons with the world of scooters, Renault Twizy possesses all the fundamentals of a car: a chassis with four wheels, a steering wheel, pedals, and an enveloping body for two occupants sitting in tandem, one behind the other.

Renault Twizy has a range of 100 km (60 miles) over a standard urban cycle and can be fully recharged in 3 ½ hours from a domestic socket, using a spiral cable located under the flap at the front of the car.

Renault Twizy ships with a 13 kW (17 hp) electric motor delivering 57 Nm and with a top speed of 80 kph (48 MPH) for the version requiring a driving license. Renault Twizy 45 – the version requiring no license – is driven by a 4 kW (5 hp) motor with maximum torque of 33 Nm available from start-up and a top speed limited to 45 kph. Renault Twizy is equipped with 6.1 kWh lithium-ion batteries located under the front seats.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)