Renault Builds Crazy F1-Inspired Twizy with F1 KERS power

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appears to have lost their minds. It has just revealed the Twizy Renault Sport F1Renault Twizy Renault Spo...France, 2013 > present Concept that adds the Kinetic Energy Recovery System from an F1 car and an F1-inspired body to the brand’s Twizy electric car. It gives the car roughly five times the power of the most powerful standard Twizy, and Renault says that it accelerates as quickly as a Megane Renault SportRenault Mégane III Coup�...France, 2010 > present4 photos
to hit 100km/h in about six seconds. That most powerful standard Twizy has a top speed of 80km/h (50mph).  The car will make its world debut at the Barcelona Motor Show on April 27 and 28.

It is immediately obvious that there is something special about this Twizy given the F1-inspired front splitter, side pods, rear wing and diffuser. It wears the same slick tires and wheels from a Formula Renault 2.0 racecar.

The concept actually has two electric motors. The standard 17hp unit from the Twizy 80 is still in the car in addition to the 80hp KERS. When the KERS is in use, the concept has a top speed of 110km/h (68.35mph).

The KERS unit is made up of an electric motor, lithium-ion batteries and a control unit.  The batteries provide enough boost for the KERS to run for 14 seconds, and the system weighs 30kg (66lb). It batteries also require liquid cooling to keep cool.

“We always said we wanted to create F1-derived technology that was road relevant! Hopefully, this car will make a few people smile while also making a serious point. The project was led by Renault Sport F1 and Renault Sport Technologies, working in close conjunction with Renault’s electric vehicle development department,” said Jean-Michel Jalinier, President of Renault Sport F1.

Renault Sport had to remove the rear seat to fit the KERS, which means that the Twizy F1 Concept is now a single-seater. The KERS unit is visible inside a transparent housing in the rear.

There is no way for the Twizy to produce enough power under braking for the KERS to recharge like in an F1 car. To provide more recharging for the KERS, it siphons power from the regular electric motor when power is needed. The driver can control whether the system is in recovery or boost mode via the steering wheel from a Formula Renault 3.5 car.

After being displayed in Barcelona, the car will hit the track at promotional events around the world.