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Review – Mobilize Duo (2025), superlative of Renault Twizy?!

November 13, 2024

The microcar is on the rise, Mobilize Duo capitalizes on it

The Renault Twizy – the actual predecessor of the Mobilize Duo – actually came too early. Only in recent years has the demand for microcars increased significantly, also helped in part by the popularity of the Opel Rocks Electric. More and more brands are capitalizing on this. Well-known examples are the Fiat Topolino and Citroën Ami as brothers of the Rocks, but you also have the Microlino.

If such a vehicle reaches 45 km/h, it is an L6/L6th vehicle and may be driven in the Netherlands from the age of 16. If such a ‘car’ goes 80 km/h, we are talking about an L7/L7th vehicle. In that case, you need a B driving license. Mobilize – a sub-brand of Renault – is betting on both vehicle segments. We go out in the Mobilize Duo and conduct the ultimate practical test. Everything is covered. Because how spacious is such a Duo really? And what does a Mobilize Bento have to offer, the commercial vehicle variant?

Weights

An L6/L6e vehicle may weigh a maximum of 425 kilograms (excluding battery). For L7/L7e, it is 450 kilograms (excluding battery). But what do these devices weigh? The Duo L6e weighs 495 kilograms including battery while the L7e version – that is, the Mobilize Duo 80 – weighs 507 kilograms. The commercial vehicle version Bento comes exclusively as an 80, i.e., for a B-driving license. That model has a weight of about 540 kilograms.

Mobilize Duo and Mobilize Bento

Loading Capacity Mobilize Bento

The cargo capacity of the Bento totals 80 kilograms, of which 20 kilograms in the car and 60 kilograms in the box on the back. This cargo box has a capacity of 649 liters and is ideal for transporting small equipment and goods, for example. The doors of the cargo box can be opened at an angle of 140 degrees. The box itself has a width of 124 centimeters, a height of 81 centimeters and a depth of 77 centimeters. In cooperation with partners, Mobilize is also working on customized solutions, such as a refrigerated box and box with drawer system.

The price of a Mobilize Duo or Bento

Whether vehicles like the Mobilize Duo and Mobilize Bento find eager demand depends largely on their prices. Dutch prices are not yet known, as they will not come to the Netherlands until early 2025. In France, however, the calculators have already been put away. There the prices are as follows:

Equipment Mobilize Duo and Mobilize Bento

In the Netherlands, the prices are higher, because here the delivery costs are also added. We are betting around 11 grand for the Duo 45 Neo and 12 grand for the Duo 80 Evo. Mobilize should not really price the vehicles much higher if Renault Group’s mobility brand is to remain competitive. However, the equipment of all versions is already known. We list the facts.

Equipment Mobilize Duo 45 Neo

Options: Bluetooth connectivity, heated driver’s seat, air conditioning, rear parking sensors, Mode 3 Type 2 plug, Iconic Orange color package, color package (other colors).

Mobilize equipment Duo 80 Evo

Options: air conditioning, rear parking sensors, Mode 3 Type 2 plug, color package (other colors).

Mobilize equipment Duo 80 Pro

Options: air conditioning, rear parking sensors, Mode 3 Type 2 plug, color package (other colors), orange dashboard, Bluetooth connectivity, heated driver’s seat, comfort seats with premium upholstery, Iconic Orange color package.

Mobilize equipment Bento 80 Pro

Options: air conditioning, rear parking sensors, Mode 3 Type 2 plug, color package (other colors), orange dashboard, Bluetooth connectivity, heated driver’s seat, comfort seats with premium upholstery, Iconic Orange color package.

Mobilize Duo with Citroën Ami

Differences and similarities

The Mobilize Duo and Mobilize Bento are built on a completely new platform specifically designed for L6/L7 vehicles. The models also technically have no similarities with the Renault Twizy, even though the idea behind them is the same. The 1+1 seating configuration – which the Twizy also had – also applies in the Duo. The Bento is a single-seater. All versions have disc brakes all around. By the way, the 80 versions have an anti-roll bar. That is missing on the 45 version. In all cases, the parts used are unpainted. This saves in production costs and during vehicle repair. In case of damage, for example, it is considerably cheaper to replace a part. The front and rear bumper are also similar to each other to reduce costs. Even the side skirts are identical on the left and right.

The unpainted bumpers and sills feature a “Camo” textured (for camouflage) finish. This has been designed by Mobilize for durability and heavy use, mainly in urban areas. This textured finish hides the minor damages that can occur on a daily basis. Most of all, it looks tough.

Recyclable

The main body parts, such as the bumpers, fenders and wheel arches, contain 60% recycled polymers. Half of these are plastics derived from end-of-life vehicles, recycled in a closed loop in partnership with The Future Is NEUTRAL – a subsidiary of Renault Group that focuses on the circular economy in the automotive industry. At the end of its life, the Duo is at least 95% recyclable.

Mobilize Duo

Seat position

The 1+1 seating position of the Mobilize Duo results in a very small footprint of the vehicle. It is particularly narrow, making parking very easy. Where allowed, even three Duos can be parked side by side in a standard parking space. The turning radius is only 6.80 meters. Whether sitting behind each other is the coziest choice: no it is not. You’d rather sit side by side. But surely Mobilize’s philosophy is that a user rides alone in the vehicle most of the time. If need be, someone can come along in the Duo.

Sitting in the back, do you want to?

Boarding in the back requires some handling, but is quite possible. Keep in mind the height of your passenger, though. In our video review, we go into more detail about this. As a driver, you sit pretty well in a Bento or Mobilize. In fact, the seat is quite nice, thanks to nice soft (washable) cushions. You cannot adjust the backrest. This is a fixed seat. Outward visibility is also well taken care of. Thanks to large areas of glass in the doors, you can also see well to the left and right of the vehicle and know perfectly where a curb starts. The A-pillars are quite substantial, though. So you sometimes have to look around them.

Garden Hose

The two back-to-back seats are covered with TEP fabric that can be easily cleaned with a sponge or even a garden hose. A drain plug is provided under the pedals for easy drainage of water.

Interior Mobilize Duo

The interior has a striking feature: the dashboard is inspired by the shape of a “boombox”: a mobile audio system associated with 1980s urban music such as hip-hop. The dashboard features decals that match the vehicle’s exterior. The controls have been kept very simple. Screen and connectivity functions are provided by the driver’s smartphone, connected via Bluetooth or a USB-C connection. A transducer installed between the “boombox” and the windshield turns the passenger compartment into one speaker, providing the effect of surround sound without the need for multiple speakers. Air conditioning is optional in all cases, but windshield heating and seat heating are then standard on the Neo and Evo, but optional on the Pro versions (business market). The handbrake is on the right next to the footwell.

Interior Mobilize Duo

Six digital keys

The Duo and Bento are also fully connected. They are both connected to the MyDuo app that allows up to six digital keys to be generated. The app also provides access to the following features: real time dat, geolocation, remote commands and battery charge inhibition. The latter allows you to disable the charging function if the vehicle is used improperly. In any case, Mobilize has thought carefully about the “connected” part, especially with the business market in mind.  

With airbag!

The Duo is the only one in its segment with a driver airbag, incorporated into the steering wheel familiar from the Captur and Clio. The seat belts have a force limiter at the front. In addition, Fireman Access is also present. This is a Renault Group exclusive system found on all the group’s electric vehicles. This system saves firefighters precious time in the event of an accident.

Lamborghini-style doors

A great feature of Mobilize’s models is the presence of wing doors. You read it right! Wing doors! They open with the push of a button and are nice and light. Once open, you benefit from a generous entry. Just be aware of a protruding corner of the door. It can cause a nasty bump to your head. You can get in or out on the left or right. On the left, you have to step over the seat belt. The wing doors have the advantage that you can always get in and out, because they hardly take up any space. A cool and yet practical invention. By the way, the Duo has a length of 2.43 meters and a width of 1.30 meters. The Bento is 2.54 meters long. Did you know that Bento is a Japanese word? It means “Japanese lunch box. You know, one of those lunch boxes with some goodies in each compartment.  

Lamborghini-style doors for the Mobilize Duo

Drive Mobilize Duo and Bento

Like the Bento, the Duo is powered by a 48V electric motor that comes from the Renault Austral’s mild hybrid powertrain. In the 45 version it is good for 6 kW (8 hp) and in the 80 version it is 12 kW (16 hp). The Bento only comes with 16 hp. The NMC battery – produced in France – has a usable capacity of 10.3 kWh, which corresponds to a single module in the battery pack of the Renault 5 E-Tech electric.

Range

The 10.3 kWh battery is good for a driving range of up to 161 kilometers according to the WMTC standard for homologation of quadricycles (149 km for the Bento). That’s quite an impressive range, especially in this vehicle segment. Mobilize promises that most users can achieve a driving range of over 100 kilometers even in the cold winter months. In addition, the Duo recovers energy when the pedal is released, reducing energy consumption. Speaking of which, energy consumption on paper comes out to 88 Wh per kilometer. You get an 8-year or 80,000 km warranty on the battery. That’s neat.

Charging, also important

For charging, the Duo and Bento have a standard plug on the front for household connections. A Type 2 charging cable suitable for public and private charging points is optional. The price is not yet known. The Duo charges in an hour for about 25 kilometers of driving range via a household outlet. Charging from 20-80%, or about 120 kilometers, takes 3 hours and 50 minutes via a household outlet and 3 hours and 25 minutes via a Type 2 plug.

Conclusion review Mobilize Duo

During the introduction of the Mobilize Duo and Bento, we touched down in Rome, perhaps the busiest city in the world. The traffic is utter chaos. But in a vehicle like the Duo, you have few worries. You are extremely agile and smoothly away at the traffic lights. Because believe it or not, but 16 hp is peppy for the Duo 80. You’ll be at 50 mph in no time. The higher the speed, the more the electric motor makes itself heard. But it is of an acceptable level.

Especially the Mobilize Duo 80 Evo can perfectly replace a normal car as far as we are concerned. With a top speed of 80 km/h and a range of up to 160 kilometers, you really don’t need more. It is an ideal vehicle for any commuting or as a second vehicle in the family. The handling is good and the damping is also excellent, especially compared to other models in this segment. Driving a Duo is especially fun. And thanks to the wing doors, you make a smashing impression everywhere. We are fans. Now hope for a good price, both for the 45- and 80-versions.

Market launch Mobilize Duo

The Duo and Bento will be available in the Netherlands from early 2025 through selected dealers within the Renault network. There will be about thirty points of sale at dealers. In such a dealer you will then find special Mobilize corners. Mobilize emphasizes that a well-covering dealer network is important, especially to convince private individuals but also business drivers to choose a Duo or Bento. Because sales and after-sales are then perfectly taken care of.

Advantages

Cons


Mobilize Duo and Mobilize Bento





























Lamborghini-style doors for the Mobilize Duo














Interior Mobilize Duo


























Mobilize Duo








Mobilize Duo with Citroën Ami