Here’s a rather excellent-looking Renault concept car, spied during filming for a promotional video this week in Madrid.
Rear-drive TwinFun looks a hoot
We can’t really be any more specific than that just yet, because nothing’s further’s been confirmed by Renault. However, what they have told us is that this is definitely a Renault concept car, and that it won’t be badged as an Alpine. Renault’s spokesperson also added that this isn’t the concept they’re planning to bring to Milan on April 8th.
More likely, it’ll be one of the two concepts Renault’s planning to unveil at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, and it looks a cracker. It’s badged as the TwinFun (or possibly TwinRun, if we need our eyes tested), which suggests that it previews the next-generation Twingo, albeit in steroidally-inflated form. Styling cues from the original Renault 5 Turbo are rife, and in case you were in any doubt from whence Renault is drawing its inspiration, the whacking great stickers on the doors should help.
Original 5 Turbo is clear inspiration
What makes the concept even more interesting are the videos that have also been captured of the new car
here
here
, which clearly show it not only sounding rather fruity, but also indulging in a spot of power oversteer. It’s undoubtedly a rear-driver, then, and given Renault’s previous efforts in that area a mid-engined layout seems likely. What that engine will be is harder to guess. Logic would dictate the new
Clio 200
’s 1.6-litre turbo, though a beefed-up version of the current Twingo 133’s naturally-aspirated 1.6-litre or even a larger powerplant from the
Megane
Laguna
are also possible. Whatever’s fitted, it sounds like the gearbox is manual, judging by the driver’s ability to rev the engine while coasting. We’ll know for sure when the concept’s revealed, hopefully at Goodwood. Production? Don’t count on it, but don’t rule it out either – we are talking about the maker of not only the original 5 Turbo here, but also the
Clio V6
, after all, so it's not like they haven't got form.
[Sources: Renault, km77.com]