Wednesday 5th March 2014

Renault Twingo: Geneva 2014

Cheeky looks AND rear-wheel drive? Bring on the Renaultsport version

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You had to weave your way through the sea of Clios and Capturs over on the Renault stand but it was well worth it to get a gawp at the new Renault Twingo.

We don't normally get excited about city cars here at PH, but when the engine's mounted in the rear sending drive to the back axle, its worth a bit more investigation. Think of it this way - if you were 17 again, on the hunt for your first car and wanted something to teach you the dynamics of driving (that and being able to do donuts at night in Tescos car park), we reckon a rear-engined Renault Twingo would be high on your list of possibles.

Since when did we do city cars? Since now!

The Twingo, with its 911-aping layout, will be available with a 1.0-litre triple putting out 90hp, and there'll even be a turbo version - a 70hp 0.9-litre three-pot. Whoever does the first turbo conversion, we want to know.

Moving the engine to the rear frees up packaging space inside and means the turning circle is improved at around one-metre less than its rivals. Mundane stuff maybe, but given the Twingo's short wheelbase and potentially oversteer-friendly layout, lots of steering lock is very much welcome. If you've ever driven a Mk1 Clio V6, you'll know where we're coming from.

We're hoping Renaultsport will get hold of the Twingo in due course, evoking shades of the original R5 and the 90s turbocharged rollerskate that is the Renault 5 GT Turbo.

Apart from the twang of Twingos (that's the collective noun for them, you know) it's business as usual for Renault in Geneva.

 

 

 

 

 

[okie592]

It won't sell cuz it's French and you know pistonheaders don't buy new cars cuz of depreciation and that.

[Gilhooligan]

So besides the improved turning circle, what are the benefits of using this layout in a small car? Is there room above the engine for luggage plus room in the front?
I like the idea, just struggling to work out why they've opted for this layout on a conventional car.

[okie592]

Gilhooligan said:

So besides the improved turning circle, what are the benefits of using this layout in a small car? Is there room above the engine for luggage plus room in the front?
I like the idea, just struggling to work out why they've opted for this layout on a conventional car.

Rwd is better init cAnt call this shopping trolly a shopping trolly any more. Pistonheads is going to expload with rage

[Blackpuddin]

Arguably the most exciting real-world car at the show. Hats off to Renault, they seem to be coming back from the brink of mediocrity with some interesting cars.

[theJT]

The Twingo, with its 911-aping layout, will be available with a 1.0-litre triple putting out 90hp, and there'll even be a turbo version - a 90hp 0.9-litre three-pot. Whoever does the first turbo conversion, we want to know.

Is is just me or is there something about that that doesn't make sense...

[Bruski11]

The old twingo has loads of room for luggage, even having load through capacity for skis! ha.

[Gilhooligan]

okie592 said:

Gilhooligan said:

So besides the improved turning circle, what are the benefits of using this layout in a small car? Is there room above the engine for luggage plus room in the front?
I like the idea, just struggling to work out why they've opted for this layout on a conventional car.

Rwd is better init cAnt call this shopping trolly a shopping trolly any more. Pistonheads is going to expload with rage

[JohnT993]

Nice!

Come on RS get onto it!

Slightly confused though, a 1 litre with 90 hp or a .9 turbo with 90hp, and a question about who will do a turbo conversion?

Whatever it is I reckon about 150hp (not sure on the weight of the car?) would be much fun!

[Debaser]

I really like this, mainly because it's RWD.

[Kolbenkopp]

Gilhooligan said:

I like the idea, just struggling to work out why they've opted for this layout on a conventional car.

Yeah, it does seem odd. Works on the Smart 42 though. Think with this layout you can probably squeeze out a bit more passenger space, at the detriment of room for cargo. Suits me fine. Apparently there's just one luggage space, above the engine (which is pretty compact though). Up front supposedly filled with equipment (cooling etc). There's a vid here [1] showing the boot.

Got high hopes for this thing. First I think it looks ace, and then it has all the ingredients to be a hoot to drive if the Renault guys set it up that way. Hope there's an easy way to switch the ESP off .

[1] http://news.autoplus.fr/news/1480447/Gen%C3%A8ve-2...

[LuS1fer]

Have they just traced the Fiat 500 and then one-upped it by sticking in the original Fiat 500 rear-engined format (though I defer to Renault's rear-engined history).

[trashbat]

LuS1fer said:

Have they just traced the Fiat 500 and then one-upped it by sticking in the original Fiat 500 rear-engined format (though I defer to Renault's rear-engined history).

I'm looking forward to the return of oversized engined, arse-hanging-outery.

[renaultgeek]

Kolbenkopp said:

Yeah, it does seem odd. Works on the Smart 42 though.

The new smart for4 is using this platform so maybe that had something to do with it.

[bencollins]

So is the new Alpine-Caterham based on this platform?

[DaveL485]

Dear RenaultSport,

F4R Please.

Thanks muchly,

Me.

[Gandahar]

Should have good traction, should sound good with that triple, should be light, should be easily tunable. Quite a lot of Q carness.

After the big Clio RS which got a bit of a pasting Renault Sport could do themselves a favour here. Fingers crossed.

[Otispunkmeyer]

theJT said:

The Twingo, with its 911-aping layout, will be available with a 1.0-litre triple putting out 90hp, and there'll even be a turbo version - a 90hp 0.9-litre three-pot. Whoever does the first turbo conversion, we want to know.

Is is just me or is there something about that that doesn't make sense...

Written by a couple of beers? It does indeed make no sense.

Needs more than 100 bhp.

[TurboBlue]

Pinched from
[Autocar]
The Twingo uses a pair of newly developed three-cylinder engines. The first is a modified version of the existing 898cc TCe 90 unit developing 89bhp and 100lb ft, which is canted over at 49 degrees to maximise interior space. The second engine is a unit of the same capacity producing 69bhp and 67lb ft. Both will be mated to a five-speed manual gearbox at launch.
[/autocar]

RS version would have more than 100ps, non?

[dmitry]

Some articles last year suggested that RS will have 160 ps from the same 0.9 block.

[NDNDNDND]

Just as I was losing faith in the future of the car, along comes a small, rwd, manual hatchback...

All hail!!