Nissan Pixo Returns As A Sub-£20k Twingo Twin With Bold New Look

Nissan has revived the Pixo name after a 12-year absence for an electric city car based on the Renault Twingo.

Due on sale in the UK early next year from about £18,000 (excluding any Electric Car Grant discount), the new Pixo will sit below the Renault 5-based Micra in Nissan's expanding EV line-up.

Barring some bespoke styling elements, the Pixo draws very heavily on the Twingo it will be built alongside in Slovenia.

Its French origins are evident in its familiar silhouette and surfacing - unlike the closely related Dacia Spring, which has a largely bespoke body - but it's marked out as a Nissan by bespoke front and rear ends.

The Japanese firm said the Pixo "introduces a fresh interpretation of Nissan's design language for compact EVs" and highlights the cubic proportions and smooth surfaces, which "create a confident stance, despite its compact dimensions".

The Pixo swaps the Twingo's rounded headlights for a distinctive new design said to be modelled on pixels, which are joined by a bespoke bumper and bonnet treatment. It also drops the Twingo's asymmetrical vent motif. There are new rear lights, too, plus pixel-themed wheel designs. An array of bespoke design 'Easter eggs' complete the makeover.

The Pixo will also be available in a range of bespoke colours not offered on its siblings, including purple and blue.

The interior is much more familiar, though, retaining the Twingo's steering wheel, dashboard, switchgear and infotainment. Unlike the Spring, it also keeps Renault's independently sliding rear seats, to adjust space for rear passengers and luggage as needed.

Like the Twingo, the Pixo uses a 27.5kWh battery, which yields a maximum range of 161 miles, but it charges slower, at 50kW rather than 80kW.

A single motor on the front axle produces 80bhp and 129lb ft of torque, to give a 0-62mph time of 12.1sec.

The Pixo will face a fast-growing class of urban EVs that is also set to include the Volkswagen ID 1, a Citroën 2CV and a new Fiat Panda model.