MOBILIZE DUO: FUN FOR CITY MOBILITY

Duo provides a new angle on urban mobility ata time when traffic restrictions in city centres are tightening. As it isall-electric, it will be able to enter the low-emissions zones that areappearing or growing in most large cities. And this micro-vehicle encapsulateseverything the Mobilize brand stands for: rewriting the rules and championingnew, more appealing and funnier mobility – that is also more responsible,inclusive and for every age.

Duo is powered by an electric motor at therear that moves the back wheels. It comes in two versions: 45 km/h (withouta licence from the age of 14, depending on the country) and 80 km/h (whichrequires a class B license) and both offer brisk accelerations because thetorque is instantly available. And they are silent and vibration-free, like allelectric vehicles, adding a very welcome touch to user comfort.

Duo's range is 140 km (pending WMTCcertification), which is well suited to city and suburban driving.

Duo’s city-proof, future-ready and ruggedstyle is perfect for busy areas. The inspiration behind it comes fromvideogaming combined with a 1980s and 1990s vibe – including a boombox-likedashboard adding a hip-hop feel.

“The design of our vehicles and our services mirrorsthe Mobilize brand’s DNA. We draw inspiration from urban hallmarks to design objectsthat enable mobility and venture beyond traditional automotive conventions.With Mobilize, we are inventing an entirely new take on mobility centred arounddigital technology and revolving around the object itself. People will choose Mobilizefor the experience: it offers sustainable and connected mobility, while beingfun, convenient, robust and easy to use,” says Patrick Lecharpy, VP Design, Mobilize.

Duo is ultra-compact (2.43 m long, 1.30 m wide,1.46 cm high) to whiz about the most congested urban areas. It is especiallycomfortable to manoeuvre in cities, easy to park and agile. You can park threeDuo cars perpendicularly in a standard parking space, to limit footprint. Andthe wraparound bumpers protect it from minor everyday bumps.

Trailblazing and eco-designed

Duo’s development was based on eco-design principlesand smart stewardship: the goal is to use more than 50% recycled materials tobuild it and make it 95% recyclable at the end of its life.

It is built around a tubular structure, withpaint-free plastic (polypropylene) body panels. The front and rear bumpers areidentical to lower production and repair costs. The plastic grain on thebumpers and skirts is purpose-engineered to reduce signs of wear as time goesby and to make scratches invisible.

Duo has a LED system with two lights at thefront and a strip at the back. Its body is anthracite-grey and orange, and someof its surfaces can be tailored to suit operators’ marking or coveringrequirements. There are six of these surfaces: the strip beneath thewindscreen, the door handles and the C pillars. The dashboard is alsocustomisable. And there is a range of accessories opening up more possibilitiesfor customising Duo.

The two large side doors have windows and openupwards (not outwards) so users can always climb into and out of the car on thesafe side and have no trouble doing so between two parked cars. Thisarchitecture is also safer for pedestrians and cyclists as the doors do not swingopen onto the road or pavement.

“Duo is sensible and tickles the senses. Itwas designed for sharing but also provides a broader answer to the needs ofcity dwellers who are especially keen on environmental issues. As it isdesigned to be functional and sustainable, Duo will also transcend fashions andstay relevant with the refurbishing cycles planned at the Refactory,” explains Eric Diemert, Design ProjectsDirector, Mobilize.

A practical and comfortable passenger compartment

With its two seats in tandem, Duo is gearedfor agile, sprightly urban micro-mobility. It has an ample, comfortablepassenger compartment, which is entirely enclosed to shield users and has largewindows to let in plenty of light. The steering wheel contains an airbag, whichis rare in this type of vehicle.

Duo’s dashboard is designed to be as simpleand intuitive as possible, so that every user can find their way around iteffortlessly. But it still has a fun, pop-culture touch: a wink at theboomboxes at the centre of street culture in the 1980s and 1990s. It is orange,the instrument screen is in the centre, the gearbox lever is to the left of thesteering wheel, and there is a speaker and a smartphone holder to the right. Plusa USB-C port to charge a smartphone.

The interior is as playful as it is functional,and cuts no corners on comfort. The two seats are fully padded to provide thesame postural comfort as a standard private car and come with a choice of twoultra-tough TEP upholstery styles. The passenger compartment was designed tostand the test of time. And it’s easy to wash.

The driver’s seat slides 20 cm back or forthfor easy access to the back seat. There are two storage compartments on eitherside of the front seat to fit two cabin bags. The back seat is large enough fora 1.80 m tall passenger to sit comfortably.

The plans also include amenities for peoplewith reduced mobility: the vehicle will be able to carry a folding wheelchairand can come with a kit to fit the controls on the steering wheel.

Integrated and evolving connectivity

Duo’s open and connected electronicarchitecture supports evolving connected services, simplifies data sharingwhile protecting users’ privacy.

It comes with native connectivity, which isessential to manage company fleets, ride-sharing services and micro-mobilityservices. This system uploads some real-time data from the vehicle (for exampleits battery charge or location) to a secure server, which can then forward itto companies’ or operators’ fleet management platforms.

Mobilize’s solution is upgradable because itupdates remotely (through FOTA technology). That way, connected services can beenabled or disabled when and as the customers’ preferences change. Similarly,some of the vehicle’s features can also be upgraded during its life cycle.

Duo also has a keyless access and ignitionsystem using smartphones, so it will be easy for several users to sharevehicles in company or operator fleets.

Two charging options

The little bonnet at the front providesaccess to Duo’s fixed charging lead, which can have a standard or Type 2connector. Type 2 connectors work with most public charging stations on roads, oncompany premises or in car parks, and standard connectors are mostly used forcharging vehicles at home and require no special fittings.

“Vehicle + services” deals for private and professional customers

Duo is an economical and flexible option forall-electric everyday driving, and is suited to various types of customers:

····Mobility operators

Mobilize’s private customers who choose Duocan opt for flexible subscription deals starting with 3-month agreements. Themonthly payments can vary depending on the lease term. In all cases, customerswill be able to order their Duo online with a few simple clicks on a specificwebsite.

Professional customers will find a choice oflong-term leases from Mobilize Financial Services. The deals for companies willbe packaged to provide all the services that these customers expect –manufacturer warranty, maintenance, insurance and charging solutions. Duo isoptimised to significantly reduce fleet operation costs compared with a4-seater electric city car: its build is robust, it has a limited number ofparts and no paint, etc.

“Through its subscription deals, Mobilize providesall the services relating to manufacturer warranties, maintenance, insuranceand charging solutions. This all-inclusive package aims to provide private andprofessional customers with all-round peace of mind,” says Corinne Pakey, Duo and Bento ProductPerformance Leader, Mobilize.

Renault’s after-sales network will handleafter-sales service for Duo, which can also be made available as a courtesyvehicle.

Bento, the handy everyday micro-van

Bento, a cargo version of Duo, has the samelooks and is designed for professional customers who need a compactall-electric vehicle for last-kilometre services.

Bento has a closed boot at the back insteadof the passenger seat. It is in the optimal position and provides close to 700litres of usable capacity.

The box is rotomolded speckled-grey plasticand has two asymmetrical doors opening a generous 140 degrees. A hatch alsomakes it possible to carry long objects on the driver’s right-hand side. Additionalinterior amenities will be available to meet professionals’ various needs (forexample tool racks).

Like Duo, Bento will have an anthracite-greyand orange body including customisable surfaces. The box can also be used foradditional marking and customisation (on the lateral panels and the doors).

Bento will be available on long-term leasesfor professionals starting in 2024.

“Bento transfers Duo’s cool and endearingspirit into the van universe. It gives visibility to business activities and atthe same meets demand in growing sectors such as last-kilometre services,” points out Benjamin Manceau, Duo andBento Project Manager, Mobilize.

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aboutMobilize

Mobilize,the brand of Renault Group dedicated to new mobility, offers a wide range ofservices around the vehicle thanks to an integrated technological platform:financing, insurance, payments, fleet management, energy, maintenance, andrefurbishing. Built around open ecosystems, Mobilize encourages a sustainableenergy transition, in line with Renault Group’s goal of achieving carbonneutrality in Europe and its ambition to develop value from the circulareconomy.

Formore information, visit mobilize.com orfollow Mobilize on sur Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.