Nightly News   |  March 07, 2013

Tiny Twizy turns heads in Rome

Renault’s plug-in electric car, which is only four feet wide and just under eight feet long, can reach speeds of either 31 or 50 miles per hour depending on the model. NBC’s Anne Thompson reports.

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This content comes from Closed Captioning that was broadcast along with this program.

>>> finally here tonight, our correspondent covering the vatican has frankly had some downtime while waiting for the conclave to start. in rome, a city of vespas and fiats.

>> she has noticed people getting around on something new, very small, not for someone faint of heart, however. here is anne thompson .

>> reporter: if there is one thing that's eternal, it's traffic. with congested roads, narrow, ancient streets and even narrower parking spaces, a small car or scooter is the way to go. now drivers need no longer choose one or the other with the head-turning wizzy. an italian journalist who covers the auto industry . the plug-in electric car has four wheels and not much else. there's no rear-view mirror.

>> yes, no. you have to use the side mirrors for that.

>> reporter: even the doors are unique.

>> go like this.

>> reporter: it goes up?

>> yes.

>> reporter: and you can see through the bottom. and windows are optional. making for a unique ride. there's no room for my purse, and barely room for me. in the seat behind mateo.

>> oh, my gosh! okay, did it. amazi amazing.

>> reporter: but the real fun comes when behind the wheel of this zero emissions vehicle . [ honking ]

>> reporter: ooh, sorry. not making friends . if you know where you're going. best part is, i have no clue where i am. with top speeds of 31 or 50 miles per hour, depending on the model, the twizzy is not highway-ready. but for under $12,000, it does make a flashy green statement. finish eto. who in italy buys this car?

>> well, you know how italians are. we like to be fashionable and to look good.

>> reporter: is this ever going to compete with a ferrari or lamborghini?

>> i think not.

>> reporter: the twizzy, adding some zip to a roman holiday . anne