Mobilize presents Duo, Bento and Solo in Paris

Within Renault, Mobilize is involved in everything that has nothing to do with selling cars to customers. Instead, it focuses on things like infrastructure, subscription forms, fleet management and car sharing. For the latter, Mobilize does come up with its own cars and other vehicles, but they are not for sale. We have already seen the Limo, a sedan especially designed for use as a taxi. At the same time we got to see the Duo. We thought we saw a ‘finished’ product last year, but the Duo is still somewhat refined.

Vandal proof

It is a two-seater with the seats behind instead of next to each other, based on the Renault Twizy. The resemblance between the two is striking, although the Duo does have its own packaging. It is a bit more angular and tougher than with the rounded Twizy. On the outside, the windscreen wiper also stands out, which is partly hidden behind a painted panel. The Duo also has a complete roof with side windows and the interior is as ‘vandal-proof’ as possible. A solid, rubbery floor and apparently indestructible dashboard are part of it. There are also no storage compartments. Consciously, says Mobilize, because such compartments work like a magnet on consciously or unconsciously left behind.

The special windshield wiper of the Duo and Bento.

Music

Similar to a Twizy with ‘doors’, which are more of an emergency there, the Duo’s doors open forward and upward. A kind of gullwing doors, but not for show. Because the doors do not swing open, they can be opened in the narrowest of places. The chance that a cyclist will be mowed down while opening is also minimal. Because the driver is in the middle, it is possible to get in and out on both sides. In fact, the dashboard consists of one large, functional-looking control element, containing everything you need. Music is part of this, just like a phone holder, USB connections and of course a set of instruments for speed, among other things. Everything in and around the Duo is designed to withstand rough handling. If something does go wrong, then it must also be inexpensive and quick to repair.

The ‘Ghetto Blaster’, as Mobilize calls the dashboard of the Duo and Bento.

Like the Twizy, the Mobilize Duo comes in two flavors, with top speeds of 45 or 80 km/h. The faster version can be used more widely, but the 45 variant can also be driven by (young) people without a driver’s license. The Duo will be deployed by Mobilize itself, but will also be offered to existing car-sharing companies. This is the preferred route for the Netherlands, because there are already many providers here. Mobilize expects the Duo to appear soon in cities such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Utrecht.

bento

In addition to the regular Duo, there is also the Bento on the same basis. It has no second seat, but a kind of large box on the back. That actually makes it a small orderer, with a loading volume of 700 liters. Mobilize foresees a glorious future for the Bento for parcel deliverers, for example.

Solo Concept

Not weird at all, this.

If even a Mobilize Duo is too big, there may be another Mobilize Solo in the future. This strange vehicle is still a concept, but next to the also quite futuristic Duo, it doesn’t even look that unrealistic. The Solo is little more than a covered stool, fitted with a scooter-like handlebar. With this you do not operate the front wheels, but the single rear wheel. The Solo has no doors, but is asymmetrical and simply open on one side. It comes up to 70 km on a battery charge and, like the Duo, has an airbag, which makes it surprisingly safe, according to Mobilize.

The ‘dashboard’ and steering wheel of the Solo Concept.

In addition to the three vehicles, Mobilize is also presenting the Ileo concept in Paris, its own and hip-looking charging station. It doesn’t stop there, because Mobilize is also entering the world of fast charging. You can read more about this elsewhere on these news pages.