Renault Twizy Packs Torque Over 900 Nm
The Renault Twizy has always turned heads with its quirky design and electric charm, but one modified version takes things to an extreme level. This small urban vehicle, originally equipped with just 17 horsepower, now boasts an astonishing upgrade thanks to a team of innovative engineers. They swapped in a powerful electric motor from a motocross bike, turning the Twizy into a drift beast that’s as fun as it is ferocious. Imagine zipping around in something that looks like a futuristic pod but performs like a high-octane thrill ride.
British workshop DM Performance led this wild project, completely stripping down the Twizy to integrate the drivetrain from the Stark Varg electric motorcycle. That bike’s motor is equivalent to a 450cc gasoline engine, delivering 80 horsepower, which is nearly a 400 percent boost over the original. The real showstopper is the torque figure, clocking in at 691 pound-feet, comparable to the output from a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 in the Ram TRX truck. All that power in a vehicle weighing about a tenth as much creates some serious excitement on the road.
To make this swap work, the team had to get creative with the engineering. They cut into the rear suspension to fit the new motor and added a custom chain drive instead of the factory direct setup. The differential got an upgrade with a stainless steel housing filled with high-pressure grease to handle the torque without spinning out. They also installed adjustable shock absorbers from Maxpeedingrods to keep the lightweight chassis stable and reduce rollover risks during aggressive maneuvers.
Performance-wise, this revamped Twizy shines in quick bursts of speed and agile handling. It outaccelerated a much more powerful Audi S1 Quattro in a drag race, hitting around 100 miles per hour. Drifting comes naturally too, with videos showing it spinning donuts around a Lamborghini Aventador effortlessly. The battery pack from the Stark Varg weighs just 70 pounds, lighter than the original 220-pound unit, and provides enough juice for those high-demand motors without sacrificing range too much.
DM Performance didn’t stop at power upgrades, they ensured the whole package felt cohesive for fun driving. The Twizy’s scissor doors and tandem seating remain, adding to its unique appeal amid the boosted specs. This isn’t their first rodeo with electric swaps, they previously transformed a Citroen Ami using similar components, though they favor the Twizy’s rear-wheel drive for playful applications. Their creativity extends to other builds, like a tuk-tuk tricycle powered by a turbocharged Hayabusa engine churning out 305 horsepower in a 1,014-pound frame.
What makes this Twizy stand out is how it blends everyday electric mobility with extreme performance tweaks. The original model was all about efficient city commuting, but this version flips the script for adrenaline seekers. It’s a reminder that electric vehicles can be just as thrilling as their gasoline counterparts when modified right. Enthusiasts might see this as inspiration for their own garage projects, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with compact EVs.
The team at DM Performance, often called crazy scientists for their bold ideas, sourced the Stark Varg parts to maximize output in a tiny package. No official top speed or zero-to-60 times are listed beyond the race wins, but the raw numbers suggest blistering acceleration. Safety remains a priority with the suspension tweaks, ensuring the added power doesn’t overwhelm the chassis. Overall, it’s a testament to innovative tuning in the electric era.
Projects like this highlight the growing trend of customizing EVs for motorsport fun. The Twizy’s light weight amplifies every bit of that 80 horsepower, making it feel exponentially quicker. Compared to traditional hot rods, this build relies on instant electric torque rather than revving engines. It’s eco-friendly thrills without the emissions, appealing to a new generation of gearheads.
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