We missed out on the first generation Renault Twingo, the French maker only selling its entry-level citycar on the continent. Does their second take on the theme make up for this oversight? Andy Enright takes a look
As we’re encouraged to live an ever greener lifestyle, Renault is putting its money where its mouth is, recycling the old Clio platform and producing the second generation Twingo for lifestyle-conscious citycar buyers. Although not as comparatively ground breaking as the original, it’ll still appeal to younger drivers looking for something inexpensive yet stylish.
Two engines are offered, both petrol units and both of 1.2-litre capacity. The first is the 16-valve 75bhp entry-level unit that will comprise the bulk of Twingo sales and which is fitted to the Dynamique model. Optimised for fuel efficiency, this engine will happily idle at just 650rpm.
Sharing 70 per cent of this engine’s parts is the 100bhp TCE (Turbo Control Efficiency) powerplant that Renault fit to the sporty Twingo GT. Renault claims this engine offers the power of a 1.4-litre unit with the efficiency of a typical 1.2-litre. A tiny turbocharger minimises lag and offers sharp responses, maximum power coming at 5,5500rpm while the 145Nm peak torque figure is offered at 3,000rpm. An overboost facility allows an additional 5bhp of power and 6Nm of torque temporarily in second, third and fourth gears at engine speeds above 4,500rpm to help with overtaking.
Two transmissions are available, a conventional manual five-speed or the Quickshift robotised set-up if you choose the 75bhp Dynamique. The Twingo inherits the Clio II’s chassis, and keen drivers hardly need reminding that this was one of the most capable and fun small car platforms around. Electric variable power steering is fitted as standard, the GT getting a beefier set up to complement the stiffer bushes in its suspension.
The show car unveiled at the 2006 Paris motor show hasn’t been significantly watered down for production. The shape is nowhere near as radical as that of the original Twingo, looking much like a shrunken Modus but it’s still a very neat piece of styling. The most interesting piece of detailing is the decision to do away with the dihedral Renault front grille, the nose sporting a low front air dam instead. Available in three-door guise only, the Twingo has a number of neat design touches. The swollen wheel arches, novel door catches, GT badging adjacent to the front fog lamps and accessory packs that include flowers, stripes and chequer decals indicate that Renault is looking to offer something that’s not just a me-too contender.
"It’s easy to see the Twingo being a hit with younger drivers…"
Interior space is reasonable, this generation Twingo being a massive 170mm longer than the original. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the interior is what Renault has done to the rear seats. The two rear seats can slide 220mm fore and aft to prioritise space for either people or luggage and they also fold flat and then tumble forwards, offering up to 959 litres of space in this guise. Other noteworthy features include a centrally mounted instrument cluster and no fewer than eleven storage spaces dotted around the cabin.
Two models are offered although it’s likely that a stripped out econobasic model will also be slotted into the Twingo range later to offer an eye catching entry-level price. As it stands, the £8,375 Dynamique features a slightly sporting look with a rev counter, sports bumpers and fog lamps picked out with a satin grey surround. The £9,995 GT gets 15-inch alloy wheels, chrome tailpipes, a rear lip spoiler and leather trim for the steering wheel and gear lever.
Renault has committed to a "120-140 Pledge" whereby it maintains that by 2008, it will be selling one million vehicles that emit less than 140g/km of carbon dioxide, including one-third that emit less than 120g/km. Both Twingo engines emit less than 140g/km so the French company will hope that these cars shift well. Fully 85 per cent of the car is recyclable by weight. The Twingo aims to simplify life for owners as well as ease the environmental burden. Oil changes are recommended every 18,000 miles on the 1.2 75bhp engine and air filters and spark plugs are said to be good for 37,000 miles between replacements. The front and rear of the car have been designed to shrug off minor knocks, driving down insurance costs still further. Meanwhile, fuel economy has been improved by the fitment of electrically assisted power steering which makes a saving of around four per cent on the car’s fuel consumption figures. Built at Novo Mesto in Slovenia, the Twingo features innovative build techniques such as laser-brazing for the roof. There’s also a 12-year anti corrosion warranty thanks to features like a fully galvanised subframe and wax-injected hollow sections.
The Twingo looks as if it has the ingredients to make a success of itself. It’s cheap, acceptably well screwed together, based on tried and tested underpinnings and the name carries an element of recognition, despite its predecessor never being sold here. I can’t help but feel that Renault has bottled it a little in the design stakes, as most would associate the Twingo name with something radically innovative. While ‘New Twingo’ does offer a few novel details here and there, the overall concept isn’t particularly bold or fresh. Perhaps Renault is just counting on doing the basics those crucial few degrees better than anybody else.
While it’s easy to see the Twingo being a hit with younger drivers, it’ll take an extension of the model range to really broaden the appeal. A hot Renaultsport variant is in the offing as well as a stripped out entry-level car. For the time being, the Twingo seems a worthy contender but not the clear market leader we were expecting.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Renault Twingo range
PRICES: £8,375-£9,995 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 2-6 [est]
CO2 EMISSIONS: 135-140g/km
PERFORMANCE: [GT] Max Speed 117mph / 0-62mph 9.8s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.2] (urban) 37.6mpg / (extra urban) 60.1mpg / (combined) 49.5mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: ABS with EBD, Driver and passenger lateral airbags.
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: length/width/heightmm 3601/1640/1472