Renault Twin'Z Electric Vehicle Concept Revealed

French car maker, Renault yesterday revealed the Twin'Z concept which is a five doors electric supermini with a rear wheel drive layout. The concept was desinged by Renault and British designer Ross Lovergrove. The Twin'Z Electric vehicle is 3627mm long, 1506mm tall, 1705mm wide, along with a 2495mm wheelbase and weight 980kg.

Deriving its power from a rear mounted electric motor, the Twin'Z concept is capable of belting out 69bhp and 226Nm of torque. The power is transmitted to to the rear-wheels. Coupled with four lithium-Ion battery, it can cover 161km with a top speed of 130kmph. Twin’Z is the fifth concept car to result from Renault’s design strategy which is founded on the notion of the human life cycle, and which is represented as a six-petalled flower. 

“Renault’s design strategy takes its inspiration from the human life cycle, focusing on notions such as ‘Love’, ‘Exploration’, ‘the Family’, ‘Work’, and now ‘Play’. And what better way to express the idea of ‘Play’ than by entering the enchanting world in which Ross’s thoughtful, beautiful and intelligently styled work comes to life. May it inspire you in the same way it inspired us.”

It takes its inspiration as much from the heritage of the first-generation Twingo as it does from that of the Renault 5. Twin’Z takes us into a new dimension thanks to its dematerialised interior which combines simplicity with refined details and technology, backed up by the sophistication of its digital systems. Its all-electric, rear-wheel drive architecture enabled the wheels to be pushed out to the car’s extreme corners to provide it with a solid grounding and large platform. This also gave the car a unique signature and outstanding cabin space in relation to its compact footprint.

Twin’Z’s striking blue livery pays tribute to the 20th century French painter Yves Klein. The satin finish gives a pure skin to the body which appears to be coated, almost anodised, rather than painted, suggesting that the pigmentation is inside the body and not applied. The soft clear-coat finish produces a velvet-like feel, while a certain iridescence lifts the car’s ‘electro-natural’ appearance. 

“It echoes France’s cultural heritage while also mirroring the virtues of our planet. After all, isn’t the Earth blue when seen from space?” Ross Lovegrove

The grille design creates a vortex effect which channels air flow and minimises turbulence to optimise Twin’Z’s aerodynamic performance. The same motif has been embossed into the rear bumper as an echo of the lighting signature. Twin’Z’s front and rear doors are hinged at the front and rear respectively and open electrically. The resulting absence of a central pillar allows the entire cabin to be revealed to the eye and frees up space to facilitate ingress. As an object, Twin’Z is both precious and high-tech, and this is apparent in the touch-sensitive buttons employed to open the electric doors.

The wheels and tyres have been designed as a single entity. The wheels themselves feature a glowing green finish and their design is based on intelligent growth structures inspired by nature. The solid central core splits into slender branches which strike out towards the rim. The tyres, which were developed specifically by Michelin, continue this pattern to provide a unity between the two functions. As a consequence, the wheel is perceived as a whole rather than a simple juxtaposition of distinct elements. This design was made possible by parametric modelling and 3D printing in order to achieve an eye-pleasing structural unity. 

Interior of Twin'Z is exceptionally roomy, despite its small footprint. The double floorpan has resulted in a high-up driving position, while the driver and passengers alike benefit from an excellent view of the road and surrounding environment.

“The interior is not broken up into separate elements and all passengers feel very much part of the travelling experience. The rear seat backs have been integrated into the floor-pan to create space and a new, informal aesthetic.” Ross Lovegrove.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Top speed: 130kmph (81 mph) 

Range: 161km (100 miles) 

Rear-mounted 50kW (68hp) synchronous electric motor with rotor coil 

Maximum torque: 226Nm 

Four lithium-ion battery packs spaced evenly beneath the floor 

Voltage: 96V 

Drive: rear-wheel drive 

Transmission: direct drive with reducer gear and forward/reverse invertor 

Specific Michelin tyres: 205/40 R18 

Ross Lovegrove-designed 18-inch aluminium alloy wheels 

Front suspension: MacPherson-type arrangement 

Rear suspension: double wishbones 

Adjustable Ohlins dampers 

Chassis: tubular frame 

Carbon fibre bodywork

Renault Twinz, Renault Electric Vehicle, Renault