RE: Renault Twingo: Review

[Kawasicki]

The Vambo said:

Kawasicki said:

"Nor has it tuned the handling to make it feel rear-drive ... in fact the engineers have gone to great lengths to make it feel like a safe and sorted front driver. With some success."

Wow, they've finally found a way around physics, well done Renault.

A car with 45/55 weight distribution car can never perform like one with a 65/35 weight distribution, even if you forget about what wheels are driven.

Driven it?

No, why?

[stuckmojo]

I thought I'd pass until I realized this little thing is mid-engined.

I'm thinking Renault 5 Turbo 2 (I guess like anyone else on here).

the platform is there.

If they do a quick version I might be buying a new car for the first time ever.

[Kolbenkopp]

Robert Elise said:

We all await the RS version, but let's celebrate that Renault have built this in the first place.

Yes indeed. But just to make sure: come on Les Ulis, you know you want to .

HTP99 said:

It isn't; it is the 0.9 3 cylinder unit found in both the Clio and Captur but without the turbo.

Ooops. Thanks for the clarification, dunno where I picked that up.

[Baryonyx]

Incredible, a city car I would actually want to drive!

[Dale487]

UnderSteerDan said:

I've been awaiting the release of the VW Up GT for far too long now...

If (when) a hot version of this Twingo arrives I'll certainly be joining the queue for a test drive.

I gave up on waiting for the Up GT - it would have been too small any way - & bought a Fabia Monte Carlo instead (similar power 105PS & styling improvements in a more practical body shell for probably no more money - I guess the lighter Up would be a tad more lively)

[The Vambo]

Kawasicki said:

The Vambo said:

Kawasicki said:

"Nor has it tuned the handling to make it feel rear-drive ... in fact the engineers have gone to great lengths to make it feel like a safe and sorted front driver. With some success."

Wow, they've finally found a way around physics, well done Renault.

A car with 45/55 weight distribution car can never perform like one with a 65/35 weight distribution, even if you forget about what wheels are driven.

Driven it?

No, why?

No reason.

I was just trying to gauge how valid your assessment of the car is, as you seem to disagree with the author.

Who has driven it. Outside of his imagination.

Edited by The Vambo on Monday 1st September 15:45

[saaby93]

Does the sight of this

give you nightmares about servicing?

[Butter Face]

saaby93 said:

Does the sight of this

give you nightmares about servicing?

Why should it?

Pay £299 (or have the car on PCP) and you get 4 years servicing. Sorted.

[Butter Face]

ash73 said:

Is there no boot space in the front?

No there is not.

[Kawasicki]

The Vambo said:

Kawasicki said:

The Vambo said:

Kawasicki said:

"Nor has it tuned the handling to make it feel rear-drive ... in fact the engineers have gone to great lengths to make it feel like a safe and sorted front driver. With some success."

Wow, they've finally found a way around physics, well done Renault.

A car with 45/55 weight distribution car can never perform like one with a 65/35 weight distribution, even if you forget about what wheels are driven.

Driven it?

No, why?

No reason.

I was just trying to gauge how valid your assessment of the car is, as you seem to disagree with the author.

Who has driven it. Outside of his imagination.

Edited by The Vambo on Monday 1st September 15:45

I get paid to make valid assessments of handling, including effects of weight distribution, for decades/hundreds of thousands of miles. I've worked for years on a similar platform to the one used on the Twingo. I don't believe what marketing departments tell me, and I don't really need to use my imagination as the physical effects of mass distribution are consistent.

[Robert Elise]

Kawasicki said:

I get paid to make valid assessments of handling, including effects of weight distribution, for decades/hundreds of thousands of miles. I've worked for years on a similar platform to the one used on the Twingo. I don't believe what marketing departments tell me, and I don't really need to use my imagination as the physical effects of mass distribution are consistent.

Can you take this further and describe what hope you would have for an RS version?
There are a number of variables involved, and clearly a pendulum at the back cannot be completely ignored. Lotus and Porsche have both made fantastic cars with the engine at various points at the back, encouraging rotation and responsive handling. I don't know exactly where the Twingo engine is, but i imagine most of it is inside the rear axle and *could* be made to be a great car??

[Kawasicki]

Robert Elise said:

Kawasicki said:

I get paid to make valid assessments of handling, including effects of weight distribution, for decades/hundreds of thousands of miles. I've worked for years on a similar platform to the one used on the Twingo. I don't believe what marketing departments tell me, and I don't really need to use my imagination as the physical effects of mass distribution are consistent.

Can you take this further and describe what hope you would have for an RS version?
There are a number of variables involved, and clearly a pendulum at the back cannot be completely ignored. Lotus and Porsche have both made fantastic cars with the engine at various points at the back, encouraging rotation and responsive handling. I don't know exactly where the Twingo engine is, but i imagine most of it is inside the rear axle and *could* be made to be a great car??

I'm optimistic about an RS version. A rearward weight distribution does the agility thing very well, precision/controllability at higher speeds is a bit of a challenge, but it's been done so many times that it just needs a bunch of engineers with a clue and a lot of passion to make a fun car. I think the RS engineers fall into that camp.

[heebeegeetee]

stuckmojo said:

I thought I'd pass until I realized this little thing is mid-engined.

I can't see how it can be described as mid engined. The pic in the article doesn't show any engine anywhere near the middle of the car.

http://images.pistonheads.com/nimg/30742/NewTwingo...

It's rear engined and should be celebrated as such imo, but I still think that technology will dial out all of the rear enginedness about it - it'll still understeer like pretty much everything else.