The Mobilize Duo and Bento are compact vehicles from Mobilize, Renault’s mobility services division. While Renault has no plans to introduce these models to the U.S. market, it has confirmed Alpine’s arrival in the U.S. by 2027. Similarly, I believe that the Mobilize Duo and Bento are worth considering for the U.S., addressing another customer base. Let me explain.
Common platform but for different needs
The Duo and Bento are based on the same platform, and both are strictly for the city streets. The Duo is a two-seater urban runabout available in versions that may or may not require a driving license, depending on local regulations. Though the company would not mention it, the Duo is a spiritual successor to the Renault Twizy.
The Bento, the micro van variant, requires a driving license and replaces the passenger seat with a 649-litre cargo box for transporting food, supplies, and small items.
Urban-minded design & interior
The Duo measures 2.43 meters in length, while Bento is slightly longer at 2.54 meters. Both models are designed for easy maneuvering in city traffic, with a small footprint for convenient parking. As I found out during my time at the Paris Motor Show, these vehicles feature a central driving position with the suspension setup to tackle urban roads.
The Duo and Bento come with a driver airbag as standard, a first in the quadricycle segment, though I would imagine that a used city car would be the option for those prioritizing safety.
The Duo has a range of up to 161 km (100 miles), and Bento can travel up to 149 km (93 miles) before it needs to be plugged-in. I was surprised to find that the higher version gets air conditioning, and heated seats and windshield, besides Bluetooth and USB-C port. As a six-footer, settling into the vehicle took a little bending and squatting, but once seated, the feeling was akin to a small hatchback.
Materials & Connectivity
Both models steer away from traditional automotive designs that use steel, with a large glazed area and elytra doors contributing to their futuristic look. Over 40% of the materials used in their construction are recycled, and both are 95% recyclable.
Talking about connectivity, the Duo and Bento are natively connected via the ‘MyDuo’ mobile app, which allows the creation of up to six digital keys. The app also provides data on state of charge and vehicle range.
Pricing & Specifications
The Mobilize Duo comes in two variants. The Duo 45 Neo gets a 5.6 kW motor and a 10.3 kWh battery which gives it a range of 161 km (WLTP). The Duo 80 Evo variant uses a 7.4 kW motor with the same 10.3 kWh battery which gives it a range of 160 km (WLTP). In France, the former is priced at 9,090 Euros, and the latter is priced at 11,600 Euros. Details on the Mobilize Bento are awaited.
An automobile engineer by training, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005, with a keen focus on EVs since 2008. My journey in online automotive publishing spans 17 years, during which I have reviewed cutting-edge automotive technologies and interviewed leading global CEOs and vehicle developers.
