City Transformer CT-2: The Mi-Twizy, Mi-Accordion

With its exclusive variable-width chassis and electric propulsion, the City Transformer CT-2 is quite ingenious.

The City Transformer CT-2 aims to combine the safety, performance, and comfort of a car with the agility of a motorcycle. Why complicate matters when developing a car? This urban vehicle is designed with the future in mind, particularly considering the evolution of major cities that demand versatile, eco-friendly, and sustainable solutions. The City Transformer CT-2 is a two-seater microcar with a 1+1 seating arrangement, featuring an innovative variable-width chassis. As for the inline seating arrangement, it has already been tested on the Renault Twizy without much success, but the solution is not without merit and deserves a second chance. The chassis, on the other hand, is truly interesting because it can switch from a narrow “City” configuration to a wider “Performance” mode while driving. The first, ideal for slow traffic or parking, has a maximum width of one meter, while the second, with a width extending up to 1.3 meters, enhances comfort and stability at higher speeds. The “accordion” car has always been a popular idea among manufacturers, and this initiative should reignite some interest.

But don’t think this is a far-fetched project meant only for showcasing at an exhibition. The development of this car began in 2014, and the first prototype, the CT-1, was unveiled in 2021 at the IAA. The program is finally coming to fruition today, thanks to advancements in batteries and electric motors that have made the designers’ ideas attainable. The first units of the CT-2, for which pre-orders are already open, are expected to roll off the assembly lines by the end of 2026 and will be marketed in major European markets.

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