Renault Twingo Electric

The Renault Twingo Electric is a battery electric vehicle, introduced in 2020 by Renault. After plans to roll out new electric vehicles, including an electric Twingo, were confirmed in September 2019,[1] Renault announced the Twingo Electric, marketed as the Twingo Z.E. (Zero Emissions) and in France as the Twingo E-Tech Électrique, the first-ever electric version of its city car, in February 2020 at the Geneva Motor Show.[2][3] It is the second electric car from Renault, following the Zoe.[4] The Twingo Z.E. drivetrain is based on that of the Smart EQ Forfour, with a larger battery.[5]

Twingo Z.E. (Vibes limited edition)
front
rear

The starting price, announced the following September, was €21350.[6] It was not marketed in the United Kingdom, following Renault's withdrawal of the Twingo range from the UK market after the car model's facelift in 2019.[3] A limited edition "Vibes" model, based on the regular "Intens" trim, was announced in July 2020; the special Valencia Orange colour was only available for the Vibes limited edition, but the Vibes could also be specified for any regular production colour, and was later made available for the conventional petrol-engined Twingo.[7] Trim levels in 2022 include the Life (€21550), Zen (€24350), Intens (€25550), and Urban Night (€26650).[8] Although the suggested retail price was high compared to a petrol-powered Twingo, the French government electric car subsidy of up to €7000 or 27% of the price made the cost of the electric version comparable.[4]

The car has a rated driving range of 180 or 250 km (110 or 160 mi) on the WLTP driving cycle (Full or City, respectively). The on-board charger, branded Caméléon, can accept AC electric supply at up to 22 kW;[2] the lithium-ion battery, with 22 kW-hr capacity, incorporates lessons learned from the Renault Zoe.[9] The battery itself weighs 165 kg (364 lb) and is positioned beneath the front seats.[4][10] The vehicle is limited to AC charging sources only, as the vehicle supply interface port does not accept a DC fast charge plug.[10] The rear-mounted R80 traction motor has an output of 60 kW (80 hp) and 160 N⋅m (118 lb⋅ft), and the car has a kerb weight of 1,112 kg (2,452 lb).[3] The top speed is 135 km/h (84 mph), and can accelerate from 0–100 km/h (62 mph) in 12.6 seconds.[11] The default driving mode "D" emulates the behaviour of a petrol-powered car with moderate "engine braking" when the driver's foot is lifted from the throttle; a more aggressive and adjustable "B" regeneration mode is selectable, but does not allow one-pedal driving at the highest regeneration level.[10]

The base trim ("Life") was criticized for lacking expected basic features such as a radio and air conditioning; however, the lack of vibrations and abundant low-end torque from the electric traction motor were appreciated for city traffic.[4] The Twingo Electric was marketed against other low-cost city cars, such as the Volkswagen E-up! and its rebadged versions, the SEAT Mii electric and Škoda Citigo-e iV; internally, the Twingo also competed with the Dacia Spring;[4] compared to the VW and Dacia, the Twingo Electric offered a smaller driving range.[10]

References
  1. Burgess, Rachel (10 September 2019). "Renault details two new EVs due in 2020". Autocar. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
  2. "Twingo Electric: the ultimate electric city car" (Press release). Renault Group. 24 February 2020. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
  3. Attwood, James (24 February 2020). "Renault reveals Twingo ZE electric city car". Autocar. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
  4. Bellois, Bertrand (16 October 2020). "Essai Renault Twingo Electric : notre avis sur la citadine électrique" [Renault Twingo Electric test: our review of the electric city car]. Cote Argus (in French). Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  5. Kierstein, Alex (March 6, 2020). "Renault Twingo Z.E. is a Smart EV with a French Accent". Motor Trend. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  6. "Renault Twingo Electric joins ranks of low-cost EVs". Automotive News Europe. September 3, 2020. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
  7. "New Renault Twingo Electric a new limited series called Vibes" (Press release). Renault Group. 23 July 2020. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  8. "Twingo E-Tech Électrique" (in French). Renault Group France. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
  9. Stéphane Wiscart (Twingo Program Director) (24 February 2020). "'Twingo Electric puts its native electric platform to good use'" (Interview). Renault Group. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
  10. Piot, Aurelien (18 December 2021). "Test Renault Twingo E-Tech électrique Intens : une mini-citadine à l'autonomie limitée" [Renault Twingo E-Tech electric Intens tested: a mini-city car with limited range]. Les Numeriques (in French). Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  11. Harrison, Tom (25 February 2020). "The Renault Twingo ZE is a tiny EV you can't have". BBC Top Gear. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
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