Remember this design study Renault teased a weeks ago? This is it, and it’s called the Twin’Z. Inspired by the legendary Renault 5, this concept vehicle is an electric super mini in the same sort of size as the Fiat 500, and all the evidence suggest it could be the next Twingo.
Boasting what Renault refers to as ‘poetic design’ by Ross Lovegrove, this weird-looking sod is powered by an electric motor developing 50 kW or 68 horsepower and 226 Nm of torque available right off the bat. Top speed is around 80 mph or 130 km/h and as for the range, they claim 100 miles or 160 km – acceptable by today’s supermini EV’s standards.
So there is nothing too fancy about the car’s powertrain, but the design, that’s another story. Measuring 3.6m long, 1.7m wide, and 1.5m tall, the car has a wheelbase of 2.5m. The five-door hatchback weighs 980 kg, most of which is due to four lithium-ion battery packs located under the floor. The body itself is made from carbon fiber.
At the front of the car we have Renault’s signature front grille which is illuminated, and on the sides, the remarkable 18-inch wheels – Lovegrove is especially proud of these – shod with 205/40 R18 Michelin tires. The suspension system on this car consists of MacPherson front and double wishbone rear suspension with Ohlins dampers.
The interior is pretty crazy too. it is covered in fire-retardant and waterproof material with a new see-through seats and more illuminated stuff. The Twin’Z is like 50 percent a flight of fancy – that’s the visual parts, and 50 percent real-world stuff – that’ll be the electric drivetrain and the chassis.