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Renault Twizy budget e-car

Get your knickers in a Twizy

E-drive of your life

As standard there is no stereo but an optional Parrot kit is available for £270 which will let you stream your music over Bluetooth, or from a USB stick, through a couple of speakers mounted in the roof. I’ve heard the system in action and it’s pretty good.

To prevent someone nicking your Twizy, there’s a standard fit steering lock and an electronic immobiliser though I still wouldn't want to leave mine any place that urban ne'er-do-wells could get at it.

Renualt Twizy

As for luggage and passenger space, there’s a padded chair behind the driver with a lockable 31-litre luggage cubby below it and two front glove boxes. The finished cubby design wasn’t fitted to my test car, so I can’t tell you how well it works. Ditto the various mesh pockets Renault plans on fitting.

The seats are supportive and comfortable, despite the driver’s chair only moving backward and forward. There’s no height adjustment and the angle of the backrest if fixed as is the steering column.

The rear seat may not look very easy to get in and out of but as long as the front seat is fully forward it isn’t too much trouble. All said, it’s a practical layout and a darned sight more comfortable and safer than a moped.

Renualt Twizy

Present... doors

How much will all this urban chic set you back? Just over six and a half grand for the entry level model, though you will need to factor in £45 a month for the battery lease based on a three-year and 4500 miles per year contract.

As for running costs, the included ‘Renault 4+’ package includes free servicing, a replacement battery if the maximum capacity drops below 75 per cent and a four-year warranty. Renault estimates that a two-hour charge will cost the average Brit a quid. That’s not a bad price to pay for a fun-filled day of Twizying about.

Renualt Twizy

'ear, 'ear

If Renault decides to launch a personal contract plan for the Twizy and the battery together for anything close to £100 a month, I’m having one, Manchester weather and no heater notwithstanding. I’m being serious - for that money I’m sold. ®

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Renualt Twizy

Renault Twizy budget e-car

The most fun a man can have with a battery powered car.
Price: £6690 plus £45pcm battery lease RRP

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