Renault’s fun-loving Twizy compact vehicle has been transformed into a new sub-brand in 2022. Now, after a world premiere at the Paris Motor Show last month, the Mobilize Duo electric microcar and Bento van have entered the show . floor at EICMA in Milan.

Technically an electric quad bike that could be driven with or without a full driver’s license in some jurisdictions, the Twizy came out on the world stage for the first time at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. It was introduced as one of four ZE vehicles that included what later became Europe’s favorite small EV, the Zoe, plus a Kangoo electric van.

The driver sat in the front and the passenger squeezed into the back. Although protected from the elements by a windshield and a roof, the two doors had no windows. And it came in two variants – one with a speed of 45 km/h (28 mph) and the other at 80 km/h (50 mph). However, the battery was not included in the purchase price, but was leased from Renault.

It was quirky, it was enormously fun (based on the two or three test drives) and it was relatively cheap. In 2022, Renault announced the end of the Twizy era, but also its revival as Mobilize Duo. The rear-wheel-drive micro-quad recently made its production debut in Paris and was available to order in mid-October. The curtains have also been pulled back on a modern take on the Twizy Cargo, an electric microvan called the Bento.

Groupe Renault/Razorfish

“By addressing the challenges of mobility in and around cities, Duo and Bento reflect Mobilize’s vision: to provide business and retail customers with safer, simpler, greener mobility solutions closely aligned with the major issues facing cities today, ” said Mobilize CEO Gianluca De Ficchy at the official launch last month.

The basic specifications of the Duo and Bento are roughly the same. A 48V motor from the Renault Austral hybrid powers the drivetrain. The two-seater Duo comes in a low-speed version that can be driven with or without a license in some regions, and another variant that would require a Class B license.

The Bento is only available in one powertrain version – which has a top speed of 80km/h, meaning those who want to climb into the driver’s seat will need a full licence.

Loz Blain/New Atlas

Each model comes with a 10.3 kWh NMC battery, which translates to a charging range of 161 km (100 miles) for the Duo and 149 km (92.5 miles) for the Bento. They are also compact, with the retail-focused Duo model measuring 2.43 m (~8 ft) in length and 1.3 m (4.3 ft) wide, while the two-door cargo box of The business-oriented Bento’s 649 liters stretches the MPV. up to 2.54 m (8.33 ft).

Perhaps the most pleasing aspect of both versions is something we see a lot in concepts but rarely makes it to production models – funky “elytra” vertical doors. For the Duo, they allow access for the driver and passenger, while the Bento sacrifices the rear seat for the cargo box. In any case, doors that go up instead of out should make it easier to get in and out of tight spaces.

Elsewhere, there’s optimized suspension “for exceptional ride comfort.” Unusually for the ATV segment, Mobilize vehicles come standard with a driver’s airbag, as well as a heated driver’s seat and air conditioning. The Duo features a BoomBox dashboard that can be fed music via a Bluetooth-connected smartphone, and both vehicles’ onboard connectivity ensures integration into fleet management tools.

Loz Blain/New Atlas

Keyless entry is possible through a companion app, which can also be used to generate up to six digital keys. And both models are built using 40% recycled materials and are 95% recyclable at end of life.

In its French territory, the Duo has a starting price of €9,090 (including an eco-bonus deduction). That translates to about $9,900, though we have no information on availability outside of Europe. The Bento is said to be the only electric quad bike that has been certified as a commercial vehicle and starts at €10,000 after deducting the eco bonus.

If you are in Milan this weekstop by the Mobilize booth for a closer look.

Source: Mobilize