PH isn't really the place to hear about new city cars but the latest Renault Twingo could well be the exception. That's because firstly it's rear-engined and, secondly, Renault seems particularly keen to produce a Renaultsport version.
RS version please Renault. Sort of now.
A Twingo flagship has already been hinted at by the
Twin'Run concept
of last year, redolent of the 5 Turbo with its engine slung out behind the seats and pumped up bodywork. The production version probably won't have the Megane Trophy's 320hp V6 though...
But until an RS is made official we'll have to be content with the standard versions of Renault's third-gen Twingo. The styling is very familiar from the Twin'Run concept, albeit predictably less outlandish, which is a good start. All models will have five doors but the rear pair has been really nicely integrated. Directly side-on does give the game away but from every other angle it looks like a cute, compact three-door.
Five doors for every Twingo
Moreover, by slinging the engine out back, Renault claims the Twingo's wheelbase and passenger room are comparable to much larger cars. It also benefits the turning circle and manoeuvrability, key parameters for city cars. It will also offer the near-mandatory selection of personalisation options for paint, stickers and the interior.
But what about the PH criteria? Rear-engined and rear-wheel drive is a hugely auspicious start, but there are no further details pre-Geneva on engines or what's underneath. Renault's latest 0.9-litre three-cylinder turbo would be a shoe-in for the Twingo, and it will of course also benefit from Daimler drivetrains as the next Smart ForTwo is the Twingo's, erm, twin.
The Twingo will get its show debut at Geneva on March 4 where more info should be released. But after the quite generic and fairly dull second-gen Twingo, this latest car looks like it could return Renault to its characterful city car best very soon.