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The Renault Twizy is perhaps the most important new vehicle launch of the year, if not the decade, and the order books are now open to reserve one of the two-seat electric vehicles, which will start at £6,690.

It's bound to stand out on the city streets with its tall, narrow stance and open sides but the Twizy is sure to start a trend towards this type of commuter mobility vehicle that combine the safety and confidence of a car with the convenience and cost of a scooter.

The Twizy is fitted with a 17bhp electric motor, which gives a top speed of around 50mph, while a full battery charge - which takes around three and a half hours - gives a range of up to 62 miles. Its low weight and centre of gravity promise to offer strong acceleration and safe, stable cornering.

Both models - the £6,690 Urban and £7,400 Technic - feature an immobiliser, driver's airbag a four-point seatbelt for the driver and a normal three-point for the passenger, while the more expensive version adds alloy wheels and metallic paint.

Half doors to stop spray entering the cabin, Bluetooth connectivity and rear parking sensors are optional extras. A huge range of colours and graphics are available to help customers personalise their Twizy.

On top of the purchase price, there is also a charge for the hire of the batteries of £40/month over a period of 36 months. The idea being that Renault owns the expensive batteries so the owner of the vehicle doesn't need to worry about their replacement or the prospect of a worthless vehicle if they fail.

A £20 deposit can be paid now via www.renault-ze.com

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