Cute Riding Twizy Zooming Through Busan "Humming Along" [Tabolleo]

Renault Samsung Twizy Test Drive
Used as a Tourist Service 'Tourji' in Busan
Charming Appearance and Powerful Performance Draw 'Attention'

Renault Samsung Twizy

[Asia Economy Reporter Changhwan Lee] Have you heard of the ultra-compact electric vehicle TWIZY? Many people might have glanced at it once, thinking, "Is there really such a small car?" when seeing a Twizy in the city.

Due to its unique appearance, Twizy has attracted a lot of attention since its launch. On the 10th, I experienced Twizy, which is being used as a TOURZY sightseeing service in Busan.

-What kind of car is Twizy?

△Twizy is an ultra-compact electric vehicle launched by Renault Samsung Motors in 2017. It measures 2.3m in length, 1.2m in width, and 1.4m in height, making it compact enough to park two cars in a regular parking space.

It is easy to drive even in narrow alleys and boasts a distinctive look with scissor doors that open upwards. It can be charged with a 220V household plug for about 600 won (based on a household electricity rate of 100 won per kWh) and can run between 55 km and up to 80 km on a single charge.

The single-seater cargo version replaces the rear seat with a trunk that can carry up to 180L and a maximum of 75 kg, making it highly useful in busy urban areas with high delivery demand. In fact, many self-employed people purchase Twizy for store promotion and delivery purposes.

The Renault Samsung Twizy is parked in the underground parking lot of BEXCO in Busan.

-What is the TOURZY service?

△TOURZY is a vehicle-sharing service for Busan tourism created by Renault Samsung Motors in collaboration with Busan Metropolitan City. It is operated together with 'Tourstaff,' a Busan-based tourism venture startup, providing a contactless mobility sharing service using the ultra-compact electric vehicle Twizy.

To experience the TOURZY service, I headed to BEXCO in Busan. TOURZY operates at major tourist hubs in Busan, starting from BEXCO and the Osiria Tourist Complex. Currently, about 50 Twizy units are in operation, with plans to expand the fleet in the future.

Kim Namjin, CEO of TOURZY, explained, "Twizy should be seen as an evolved form of a motorcycle that enhances safety and offers an exciting driving experience."

Renault Samsung Twizy

-Driving Twizy in real life

Going down to the BEXCO basement, dozens of Twizys were ready to welcome tourists. I chose one and started driving.

The route started from BEXCO, passed through Dalmaji Park in Busan, and ended at Osiria Station in Gijang County. When I started the engine and began driving, it felt more stable than I expected. I wondered if it could really run well, but it quickly accelerated up to 50 km/h. The top speed is said to be about 80 km/h, and it seemed like it could reach that speed quickly if pushed further.

Driving Twizy around Busan city, I noticed people’s gazes. I saw other drivers looking at Twizy with curiosity, and pedestrians on the sidewalk pointing at it, saying, "There’s such a car too." The promotional effect seemed quite certain.

Renault Samsung Twizy parked near Busan Osiria Station

-Handles hills easily and can carry two people without strain

△The driving performance of Twizy was better than expected. It climbed the steep hill of Dalmaji Park without any trouble and could carry two adult men including the rear seat without issues. Twizy is equipped with a 13 kW motor, delivering a maximum output of 17.1 horsepower and a maximum torque of 5.8 kg.m.

Driving in cool and sunny weather gave me a strong feeling of being on a sightseeing trip.

Twizy Indoor

It also seemed sufficiently safe. Despite its small size, it is equipped with airbags, a 4-point seatbelt, and a passenger protection cabin. A Renault Samsung official said, "Twizy uses a steel frame to enhance safety and boasts much higher safety compared to motorcycles of similar size."

-Where is Twizy manufactured?

△Until now, Twizy was produced at Renault’s Valladolid factory in Spain and imported as a finished product, but since October 2019, all domestic and global export volumes have been manufactured at Renault Samsung’s Busan plant. Within the Renault Samsung factory, a partner company called Dongshin Motec is responsible for production.

Dongshin Motec is a Busan-based automotive parts manufacturer with an annual Twizy production capacity of about 5,000 units, including domestic and export volumes. Currently, Twizy exports are planned mainly for the European market, but there are plans to expand to other regions in the future.