Renault’s Mobilize unveils Duo, successor to the Twizy

Renault will publicly unveil the Mobilize Duo or the next-generation Twizy at the Paris Motor Show. Like its spiritual forefather, it’s also available in a cargo version dubbed Bento.

As cities worldwide strive for cleaner air and reduced traffic congestion, these two compact yet versatile electric vehicles want to earmark the future of city transportation at an affordable price of under 10.000 euros. Will the new model succeed better than its predecessor?

There’s no denying the resemblance with the old Twizy. The Duo’s design features simple, minimalist styling focusing on durability and ease of use. It echoes the concept version unwrapped at the Paris Motor Show two years ago and impresses with gull-wing doors.

The production version’s body is also made from 50% recycled materials, and 95% of the vehicle can be recycled at the end of its life cycle.

For city dwellers and ride-sharing services

With its small footprint – only 2.4 meters long and 1.3 meters wide – the Duo can easily navigate tight streets and fit into the smallest parking spots, making it ideal for personal urban mobility.

It’s slightly larger and narrower than the Twizy. Still, it targets city dwellers, ride-sharing services, and car-sharing platforms, benefiting from its size, maneuverability, and zero-emissions credentials. There’s a wealth of such start-ups pushing this envelope to a much larger extent than when Twizy broke the mold in 2012.

With its two tandem seats like the Twizy, the Duo has features that only fit urban driving. Its top speed is around 45 km/hour in the L6 version, and the range of 161 kilometers (149 km for the cargo version Bento) is adequate for the daily needs of short urban journeys with a lot of stop-start in nature to recuperate some of the used energy.

The L7 can cope with speeds up to 80 km/hour. Renault also positions the Duo as an affordable option for individuals who want to own an EV but may not need the range or space of larger electric cars.

The Duo and Bento are equipped with a 48-volt electric motor sourced from Renault Austral’s hybrid system. The NMC battery is one of the five modules from the 52 kWh battery of the new Renault 5 and provides a net energy capacity of 10.3 kWh.

It can charge from 20% to 80% in about three hours. In France, the price for the L6 starts at €9,990, while the L7 costs €11,600.

Overshadowing the Ami Cargo

Oriented at commercial businesses, its practical twin Bento shares compact dimensions and maneuverability but has a larger cargo space, making it ideal for urban delivery services and tradespeople who need to carry equipment or small goods around town.

The Bento stands out thanks to its 649-liter cargo box attached to the rear, which dwarfs competitors like the Citroen Ami Cargo. With this large cargo space, the Bento can handle light but bulky loads – limited to a payload of 80 kg.

Inside the cabin, there is an additional 351 liters of storage, with various compartments and boxes designed to maximize space. The Bento’s total carrying capacity is an impressive 1,000 liters, making it suitable for small-scale delivery operations, such as food delivery services or courier companies.

One of the Bento’s clever design features is the rear boot, which opens to 140 degrees, providing easy access for loading and unloading. A hatch between the cargo area and the cockpit allows drivers to transport longer items, a thoughtful addition for tradespeople or couriers.

Renault plans to offer a range of customizable cargo area accessories, such as tool racks or storage solutions, to cater to different professional needs.