Autoblog

Twizy Renault Sport F1 is a racy EV that defies categorization

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Motorsports, Performance, Renault, Specialty, Electric

It recently came out that Porsche mulled a return to Formula One but chose a return to Le Mans instead, citing F1 technology's lack of relevance to its road cars. Well Porsche, take this: the Twizy Renault Sport F1 concept, "a bridge between the world of F1 technology and that of production cars." The French Formula One legend took a 17-horsepower electric Twizy and replaced the back seat with an 80-hp KERS unit, just like the ones it produces for its F1 customer teams. Then it added tires from a Formula 2 Renault and a steering wheel derived from a Formula 3.5 Renault, a front splitter, sidepods and open-wheeler mirrors. Yes, it's absurd - and by absurd we mean outstanding.

There are two KERS modes the driver can use, the first a Recovery mode that uses the Twizy's main 17-hp electric motor to recoup energy since the city car can't produce enough energy through braking to repower the KERS unit. The other is Boost mode, which allows a 13-second burst using the combined 97 horsepower available with the two motors. A single-seater-style rain light is affixed out back, and it illuminates when in Boost mode. The result is a Twizy that can dash from 0-60 miles per hour as quick as Renault's fastest car, the Megane Renaultsport 265, listed by Car magazine at six seconds. The Twizy's top speed in Boost mode climbs from 53 mph to 68 mph.

It will be shown at various events throughout the year, starting with the World Series by Renault race in Aragon, Spain on April 27 and 28. You can read all about it right now in the press release below.

Continue reading Twizy Renault Sport F1 is a racy EV that defies categorization

Twizy Renault Sport F1 is a racy EV that defies categorization originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yes, Virginia, you can drift a 17-horsepower Renault Twizy

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 16:57:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Budget, Videos, Renault, Electric

On one side of the Renault Twizy ledger you have a mid-engined, rear-wheel drive "coupe" with instant torque and a RenaultSport-tuned suspension. On the other, you have the equivalent of 17 horsepower. None of those figures would keep Autocar's Steve Sutcliffe from getting to the bottom line, which was to see if he could make the Twizy drift.

Before you ask, no, the video does not contain any electronic music nor a panda in a suit. But it's still worth watching the segment below. As an added bonus, we've included a video of the scissor-doored city car hooking up on the dyno, as well.

Continue reading Yes, Virginia, you can drift a 17-horsepower Renault Twizy

Yes, Virginia, you can drift a 17-horsepower Renault Twizy originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Jun 2012 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Renault plugs Twizy EVs into Eiffel Tower, raves it up

Zach Bowman — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 12:44:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Etc., Europe, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Renault, Electric

If you've been slacking on your doctor-recommended dose of electronic beats and French weirdness, Renault has you covered. The company has turned out a new video for its Twizy pod car featuring a gaggle of youth prowling Parisian streets in the early hours of the morning. The fleet of bizarre-looking Twizy EVs descend on the Eiffel Tower for a quick plug-in just in time for the famous landmark to erupt into its hourly twinkling. The whole episode is set to some '80s wonderful tunes. It doesn't get much more French than that.

The Renault Twizy is a fully electric covered scooter available in two configurations. Buyers can opt for a nine-horsepower version with a top speed of 28 mph or a 20 hp version with a more respectable 47 mph top end. The company says charging the Twizy for three-and-a-half-hours will net users a range of around 60 miles. Not bad. Pricing for the EV starts at around $9,923 in the UK at current conversion rates. Check out the quick video for yourself. Be warned: there's a Panda in a suit.

Continue reading Renault plugs Twizy EVs into Eiffel Tower, raves it up

Renault plugs Twizy EVs into Eiffel Tower, raves it up originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Jun 2012 12:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Artists create amazing "reverse graffiti" car art using pollution and a power washer

Jeff Glucker — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Design/Style

Marc Cameron and Paul "Moose" Curtis, are an artistic twosome that are exceedingly skilled at turning dirt, grime and muck into art. In fact, the pair have teamed up to create our favorite kind of art - the sort that features automobiles as the subject. Starting with a spot on a dirt-covered wall in Munich, Moose and Cameron remove the buildup of gunk in various layers leaving behind their desired image.

It's called "reverse graffiti" or "grime writing," and rather than covering a wall in paint, Cameron and Moose actually clean a portion of the area they're working on. Some stencils, a few helping hands and a high-pressure power washer are the tools at work, and the resulting image not only illustrates how polluted public surfaces can be, it's also wonderful spin on a form of art that's typically frowned up.

Click past the jump to watch a reverse graffiti Tesla Roadster come to life, a project Cameron and Curtis coordinated with German's SZ-Magazin. Also, click through the gallery to get a closer look at some more of Marc and Paul's work, including the Renault Twizy. If you are interested in learning more about Marc's unique work, feel free to email him - Cameron @ Cameron2210.com or check out his website using the link below.

Continue reading Artists create amazing "reverse graffiti" car art using pollution and a power washer

Artists create amazing "reverse graffiti" car art using pollution and a power washer originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Sep 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Renault Twizy priced at $9,923* in UK, reservations begin

Autoblog Staff — Fri, 13 May 2011 17:32:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Renault, UK, Specialty, Electric

2011 Renault Twizy - Click above for high-res image gallery

Renault announced at the Barcelona Motor Show that it's now accepting online reservations for its pair of electric Twizy models. The Twizy 45 starts at the bargain-basement price of just €6,990 (that's only $9,923 U.S. at today's exchange rate). Of course, at that price, you still need to lease the battery, and Renault says that adds €45 ($64 U.S.) per month. The €6,990 price is only for the Twizy 45, which is powered by a five-horsepower electric motor and can be driven without a license in some countries.

The Renault Twizy (not to be confused with the Twizy 45) is equipped with a 17-hp motor and is available in two trims: Urban and Technic, which start at €7,690 ($10,884 U.S.) and €8,490 ($12,016 U.S.), respectively. Leasing the battery pack for these Twizy models will cost you €49 ($70 U.S.) a month.

The Renault Twizy models are due to go on sale at the end of 2011 in Europe. Reservations can be made by clicking here. Hat tip to Guillaume!

Renault Twizy priced at $9,923* in UK, reservations begin originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 May 2011 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris 2010: Renault Twizy charges the stage

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 14:22:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Paris Motor Show, Renault, Motorcycle, Specialty, Electric

Renault Twizy - Click above for high-res image gallery

Believe it or not, Renault says the car you see above, known - seriously, we're not making this stuff up - as the Twizy, is a production vehicle. We hesitate to call it a car, or a motorcycle, or a scooter... it's really sort of a four-wheeled covered scooter, and it's powered by an electric drivetrain.

There will apparently be two different versions of the Twizy available, one sporting nine horsepower that can hit a top speed of 28 miles per hour and one with 20 horses that can hit 47 mph. A three-and-a-half-hour charge will result in 60 miles of range from the onboard lithium ion battery pack.

Renault is currently taking pre-orders on the Twizy, along with two other electric vehicles, and it will have the vehicle on the market in Europe by the end of 2011. Pricing is expected to be similar to the Piaggio MP3, and the rental charges for the battery pack will be covered in the Twizy's payment. Check it out in our high-res image gallery of live shots below.

Gallery: Paris 2010: Renault Twizy

Paris 2010: Renault Twizy charges the stage originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Oct 2010 14:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Frankfurt 2009: Renault goes Twizy (with Zoe and Fluence and Kangoo)

Sebastian Blanco — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 18:42:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Motor Show, Renault, Electric

Renault Zero Emission line-up - Click above for high-res image gallery

The more we see of Renault's all-electric line-up on display at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the more we want to hang out at company cocktail parties. Something delicious and potent must be on tap there. From the elegant and unexpected lines of the Zoe (above, note the recycle logo) to the buggy quirkiness of the Twizy, Renault is displaying some truly fun-looking electric cars here. Now if only these things were available to drive off the lot today, we'd really be getting somewhere.

As we said yesterday when we got Renault's official pics, these cars demand a second look in high-res. Have at it in the gallery below. While you do, we'll hunt down more information on Renault's Quickdrop battery exchange station and what role Better Place has with the technology.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Renault Twizy, Zoe, Kangoo and Fluence EVs

Frankfurt 2009: Renault goes Twizy (with Zoe and Fluence and Kangoo) originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Sep 2009 18:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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