Friday 14th February 2014

Renault reveals next Twingo

Rear-engined and rear-wheel drive, the Twingo could be the city car PH has been waiting for

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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.

 

[Hellbound]

I like it. Hope the SMART looks very different.

Hmmmm...Renaultsport/Gordini Twingo, or AMG/Brabus SMART?

I'd like to see Harris oversteer a baby 'AMG Black' SMART around a car park.

[benters]

tastier than a choc crepe !
give 100BHP per tonne and it should be fun

[okie592]

Looks funky, the love child of a fiat 500 with the curves and lights at the front and a vw up boxyness and rear lights

[Fire99]

I'm quietly excited. Fair play for bringing something different to the table beyond a pretty frock

Perhaps more in the spirit of the original Fiat 500 than the errr Fiat 500

[geeks]

Second Gen 1.2 TCe Twingo GT was a hoot to drive, rev happy, light, sensible sized wheels and bags of power for the size of it. They ruined it with the 1.6 133 IMHO stupid wheels and a nose heavy engine just ruined it.

This one looks too much like a Fiat 500 for my tastes, DO NOT WANT...

[Flewis]

Sounds good. I hope they can keep the weight down. A small turbocharged engine that can be tuned for more power would be ideal. Also the ability to properly switch off the electronic stability stuff for a bit more fun.

[rhinochopig]

Love child of a Fiat 500 and an Audi A1.

[TaylotS2K]

I like it. Looks decent. Although I do agree it does look fairly similar to a Fiat 500.

[ewolg]

Looks really good to me and especially like the hidden rear door handles. No doubt a hot version will be along soon. In the meantime if it goes and handles as well as it looks then I think they are on to a winner.

[ewolg]

Looks really good to me and especially like the hidden rear door handles. No doubt a hot version will be along soon. In the meantime if it goes and handles as well as it looks then I think they are on to a winner.

[bencollins]

Spot on for a small car IMO.

[d3llams]

I don't like the look of that, despite how tasty RenaultSport version sounds. The looks just don't do anything for me.

[Nickworld]

I like it a lot. Wonder when and how much...

[TurboHatchback]

Looks good, I really like the idea of a modern rear engine rwd city car. If only it had 3 doors, 5 doors on a car this size is unnecessary and means the B pillar completely obstructs sideways visibility if you are tall .

[deltashad]

Oooo... its so cute.

[nickfrog]

Where's the engine though ? Low down below the rear boot ? In front or behind the rear axle ? Silly questions I know but I genuinely don't know. I also assume there is a front boot or did they put stuff like a battery in there ?

[da_murphster]

RWD, rear engine - Really?

Sounds to good to be true in a small cheap car.

So I assume storage space in the front and nothing in the rear? Will jo public be OK with that?

Sounds excellent but I struggle to see it being a success unless it is as practical as its competition.

Where would you put a buggy?

[bobbo89]

As a big fan of little cars I find this genuinly exciting which is the first time i can ever say that about a Renault.

[MadKipper]

My god, I think I may have to buy a FRENCH car!
I never thought that possible, but credit where credit is due, if Renault make this car, hopefully with unassisted steering, then this will be a new car replacement for my trusty city machine a Mk III Nissan Micra 160SR.
This Mk III Twingo could be the most exciting small car in our lifetime!
Looks are good - short overhangs, no stick-on stupid face, a nice 3.5m length and narrow by the looks of it.
RENAULT - Make it make it make it make it....! And an RS version too !

[nickfrog]

da_murphster said:

RWD, rear engine - Really?

Sounds to good to be true in a small cheap car.

So I assume storage space in the front and nothing in the rear? Will jo public be OK with that?

Sounds excellent but I struggle to see it being a success unless it is as practical as its competition.

Where would you put a buggy?

It's true though, and they're definitely building it, inc RHD hopefully. Just found out the engine is below the rear boot, so presumably at least partially above the rear axle. Rear boot is 150L and front boot 100L.

As you say, not great for largish objects. Maybe people will have to start downgrading their buggies to less than the size of a car!!!