Paris Motor Show 2024: Renault Mobilize Duo/Bento - smart electric cars for the city

The Renault Mobility division Mobilize has now, as announced for some time, presented the production versions of the light electric vehicles Duo and Bento, which are intended to be equally interesting for private and commercial customers. The vehicle could also be suitable for sharing concepts. The two-seater Duo, which is only 2.43 meters long, can be driven from the age of 15 with a Class AM driver's license, depending on the model version. The commercial vehicle version Bento is only slightly longer at 2.54 meters but features a 649-liter cargo box made of gray plastic instead of the passenger seat for transporting small goods and equipment, with asymmetrical doors that open 140 degrees, including a loading flap for long freight. In addition to the compact dimensions, which allow the small vehicles to be easily maneuvered and parked, both models share a central driving position and optimized suspension. The turning circle is only 6.8 meters for each. The characteristic butterfly doors are said to have not only visual but also practical advantages: easy opening in parking spaces and no danger to pedestrians or cyclists or motorcyclists when opening.

Propulsion is provided by a 48-volt electric motor at the rear, which originates from the mild hybrid system of the SUV Austral and, in combination with a small NMC high-voltage battery with a 10 kWh capacity, allows ranges of up to 161 kilometers (Duo) or 149 kilometers (Bento). The battery is a single module of the entire R5 battery with a 52 kWh capacity, thus taking advantage of the group's synergies. Regenerative braking is single-stage and occurs as soon as the driver releases the accelerator pedal. Even in winter, the manufacturer promises a range of over 100 kilometers. The two versions are classified by legal requirements as L6e 45 and L7e with speeds of up to 80 km/h. Charging takes place at the household charger from 20 to 80 percent within 50 minutes, optionally also via a Type 2 plug, then within 25 minutes.

Digital Key and Smart Sharing

A first in this class is the standard driver's airbag in the steering wheel, along with the obligatory seatbelt. Naturally included are a USB-C connection, Bluetooth connection for smartphones, and, in the Duo, two seats in tandem configuration with 300 liters of storage space. LED headlights at the front and an LED light strip at the back come as standard, while the unpainted body is open for potential company branding. Bumpers and sills are designed with a durable "camouflage" grain to be resistant to scratches. Digital features in the iOS and Android-based app include querying vehicle data, Smart Sharing with up to six additional users, Geofencing, and Battery Charge Inhibition, specifically designed for company use. The vehicles should also be integrable into fleet management solutions. From a chassis perspective, the wide track and ideally positioned shock absorbers are intended to withstand the hardships of city streets and frequent changes in road surfaces, thus providing good comfort.

“Duo and Bento are the answer to the mobility challenges in and around cities. They also reflect the vision of Mobilize: We offer private and commercial customers mobility solutions that are safer, simpler, and more environmentally friendly, closely aligned with the issues that cities face today,” promotes Gianluca De Ficchy, CEO of Mobilize, for the visionary concept.