This modified Renault Twizy delivers almost double the torque of a Lamborghini V12 supercar
The now-discontinued Renault Twizy was always known for its sci-fi looks, scissor doors, and tandem seating — not for outright speed. But UK outfit DM Performance decided that was a problem worth fixing.
Their solution? Turn the humble electric quadricycle into a full-blown drift weapon by transplanting the powertrain from the world’s most powerful electric motocross bike, the Stark Varg.
The build started with a complete strip-down. The factory 17 hp (13 kW) motor was removed and replaced with the Stark Varg’s unit, equivalent in performance to a 450cc gasoline engine. Output jumped to 80 hp (60 kW), a staggering 396 percent increase over stock.
The real shock, however, is torque. The Stark motor is rated at 938 Nm (692 lb-ft) — an outrageous figure for something this small. For comparison, a Lamborghini Aventador produces 690 Nm (509 lb-ft), meaning this tiny French EV theoretically packs significantly more twist.
Even the supercharged 6.2-liter V8 in a Ram 1500 TRX delivers 921 Nm (680 lb-ft). Now imagine similar torque in a vehicle weighing a fraction of a full-size pickup, and the absurdity becomes clear.
Accommodating the new setup required serious fabrication. DM Performance cut away the original rear cradle and engineered a custom chain-drive system to replace the Twizy’s standard direct-drive transaxle.
To cope with the massive torque load, the team reinforced the differential with a bespoke stainless-steel casing and specialized high-pressure grease to approximate limited-slip behavior. Maxpeedingrods coilovers were fitted to reduce the risk of rollovers and improve stability.
The battery was upgraded as well. The Stark Varg’s 32 kg pack replaces the Twizy’s much heavier 100 kg unit, offering slightly greater capacity while being capable of discharging energy at a far higher rate — essential for performance applications.
Dubbed the “Stark Twizy,” the finished creation proved its credentials in dramatic fashion. It reportedly won a 100 mph (161 km/h) drag race against a more powerful Audi S1 Quattro, then went drifting and even performed donuts around a Lamborghini Aventador.
This isn’t DM Performance’s first experiment in electric lunacy. The team previously built an extreme Citroën Ami using similar Stark hardware, though they note the Twizy’s rear-wheel-drive layout makes it a far better platform for sideways antics.
And if electric torque isn’t wild enough, the shop has also created a turbocharged Hayabusa-powered tuk-tuk producing 305 hp (227 kW / 309 PS) in a 460 kg package — proof that restraint has never been part of the business plan.
