Renault attacks the Citroën friend with the movable duo

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Renault attacks the Citroën friend with the movable duo

Renault unveils its micro electric city car for the city. The duo attacks the reference of the Citroën friend’s friend.

The competitor of the Citroën Ami, at Renault, will have no diamond -shaped logo. Indeed, it was under its brand dedicated to mobility, movable, that Renault decided to launch its electric quadricycle, the duo. Even if the proximity to the friend is obvious and the duel between the two micro-citys promises to be more than interesting, this new urban vehicle also has another task, that of replacing the iconic Twizy.

To achieve this, Renault has opted for a more consensual design and more versatile use than on Twizy. Thus, if he maintains a small size (2.43 m long, 1.30 m wide), he has two places (one behind the other) and, above all, he has a closed interior and Waterproof, which changes from the openings present on the Twizy. In any event, it is a real competitor to the friend that Mobilize wished to manufacture. Thus, its exterior design reinforced by bulky shields is a mixture of plastic decorated with customizable stickers and recyclable materials (50% of the materials used on the duo according to Renault). The only external sign of “wealth” is the presence of LED lights. Duo competition well the friend, but wants to be more qualitative on certain points.

This is particularly the case in the cabin. Very chick not to say stripped at Citroën, it is provided with an instrumentation screen at Renault. For the rest, the recipe for micro-taradin is renewed identically: you will have to use your smartphone for navigation and the audio part, although it is helped by a very visible central speaker. The very orange dashboard is, aesthetically speaking, one of the most divisive elements of the car.
Finally, as on the friend, there is no chest, the storage is made on both sides of the seats that are placed in a central position.

Twice as much autonomy as the Citroën Friend

The Mobilize Duo of Renault will be offered in two versions. The entry -level model, limited to 45 km/h, can be driven without a license from 14 years old. The more “muscular” version allows you to reach 80 km/h and dare a detour by a national. But where Renault pushes the nail compared to Citroën, it is on autonomy. The duo would be able to travel up to 140 km in a single charge, twice as much as its main competitor.
The recharging part will be mainly done on the domestic network, but Mobilize had the good idea to integrate a type 2 socket to make the city car compatible with the majority of public limits. In general, Renault remained quite vague on the technical details of its new urban vehicle. And for good reason, it will not arrive until the end of 2023, the technical sheet could experience some modifications by then.

As Citroën did for the friend, Renault will look at new distribution methods. The duo cannot be purchased, it will only be available on subscription with a minimum commitment for individuals for individuals. On the other hand, no need to look for it in dealerships, it is on the internet that the rental will take place.
Finally, on the sidelines of the classic version of the duo, Renault/Mobilize also provides a version adapted to professionals and fleets, the “bento”. This removes the rear place to replace it with a 700-liter trunk. The Bento version of the duo will not arrive until 2024.

The Citroën Friend wants to succeed where the Renault Twizy failed

Typically French specialty, the car without a license begins to interest large manufacturers … Provided obviously that it is electric ! Basic and inexpensive, sold at Citroën as at Fnac, the friend brings what is missing to Twizy: protection against the elements.

The Citroën Friend will be sold at the very competitive rate of 6.900 €.

As soon as the word “car” is pronounced, speaking of the friend, people from Citroën make the grimace. And they hasten to recover … because the brand with rafters intends to be “disruptive” and present with this microcitadine an “object of mobility”. Behind the marketing speech still corresponds to an administrative reality. Indeed, the Citroën Friend is not strictly speaking a car, since it does not rank in category M1 as a Renault Zoé can be, for example. This is a light quadricycle. In other words, a license car, a category to which the Renault Twizy also belongs.

We remember the launch of the Twizy, presented ten years ago at the Paris Motor Show, of which Renault was looking for a cool and trendy machine. The target was then rather three -wheeled scooters than traditional cars without permit in the sometimes pejorative image. David and Cathy Guetta were even hired to praise the merits of the machine … which ultimately only met with esteem success. The tidal wave did not take place. Some found the Twizy too rustic, and car buyers without traditional license have turned away, for lack of sufficient practical aspects.

Citroën embarks on the car without a license

It can then appear surprising to see Citroën get started today on the same niche. Bad tongues will be quick to persifle, arguing that this is an easy bias for PSA to lower its means of CO2 emissions with this machine, by flooding the fleets of self -sharing. And therefore avoid a heavy fine on the part of the European Union. Missed ! “The friend being approved in the category of light quadricycles, she does not take into account in the calculation of CAFE standards”, recalls Thierry Michel, engineer in charge of the development of the friend. It is therefore by real hope of a outlet that the chevron manufacturer enters the dance. “Electric is today a regulatory necessity, but also and above all a real societal demand,” said Vincent Cobée, CEO of Citroën.

If Citroën has chosen to invest this market niche, it is because it seems to estimate that it is the best way to offer an electrical model accessible for all. On the one hand because no permit is required to take the wheel (the AM license claimed for drivers born after 1988 is not subject to examination). Also because young people, from the age of 14, have the right to take the wheel. Finally and especially because its price defies all competition: 6.900 € in basic version, battery included and excluding ecological bonus of € 900. To be compared to the 10.000 € claimed for an entry -level Renault Twizy or at 10.€ 776 from an Estima Biro, two much more rustic models. The cheapest of electric Aixam is negotiated no less than 14.899 €.

To break the prices, Citroën has chosen to minimize the number of parts and reuse a maximum of proven components. If the tubular steel chassis is completely new, it has been drawn to receive roller trains from the PSA CMP platform, intended for compact models (Peugeot 208, DS 3 Crossback, Opel Corsa, etc.). And the engine, supplied by Valeo, is included in light hybridization systems. So this is the first serial translation of the prototypes of low-cost electric city cars of the French equipment supplier. The 5.5 kWh lithium battery (Citroën for the moment refuses to communicate the name of its supplier) promises a range of 70 km, to the standards of the category. Regulations require, the power is limited to 6 kW (8 hp) and the top speed at 45 km/h. But, thereafter and according to the reception reserved for this version, Citroën does not exclude to decline the friend in a version approved in heavy quadricycle (with permit therefore), more powerful and which can rise to 80 km/h.

On sale at Fnac and at Darty

To contain its price, the Citroën friend cultivates a certain asceticism. From the specific production chain installed in a Moroccan factory will only release a single version, aesthetically very basic, in a grayish shade called “Blue” friend “. It is through a game of accessories that this little car can become more dapper. Another sign of austerity: a very basic interior finish, with in particular an apparent cage chassis. Most permit cars are better presented inside. Finally, the most annoying remains the total absence of closed chest and interior storage. The designers believe that there is enough space in front of the passenger seat, very remote, so that the practical aspects are guaranteed.

The Citroën Friend has the wish to seduce the urban people who abandon the automobile for the benefit of an electric scooter, deemed dangerous. To do this, the Citroën network (which can obviously sell this model) is not enough. Because it is in the heart of the city center that we must touch this clientele. Intelligently, the Chevrons manufacturer has established a partnership with Fnac and Darty, a group which is today the biggest seller of electric scooters in France. The car will be exposed there, with copies in the parking lot ready for testing. In any case, delivery takes place at home, with the presence of a trainer for a handling. In short, Citroën seems to have raised a good number of obstacles capable of embarrassing the career of this car without a license. It remains to be seen whether customers are numerous enough to see the Citroën Friends swarm at the corner of each street. Besides, the brand is silent on its sales objectives. This launch is a real bet. See you in June, at the time of marketing, to see if the success is there.

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