The new Renault Twingo has gone on sale, with prices starting from £9495.
Revealed at the Geneva motor show earlier this year, the third-generation Twingo takes on a new rear-engined, rear-wheel drive layout, and comes with a choice of two petrol engines at launch.
The first engine is a turbocharged three-cylinder 0.9-litre Dynamique TCe 90, which develops 89bhp and 100lb ft of torque. The 0-62mph sprint is covered in 10.8 seconds and the top speed is 103mph. Fuel economy is a claimed 66mpg on the combined cycle and CO2 emissions are 99g/km.
Also available is a new naturally aspirated three-cylinder 1.0-litre SCe. It develops less power and torque than the TCe, with 69bhp and 91lb ft, while 62mph is reached in 14.5 seconds. This version of the Twingo has a top speed of 94mph.
The new Twingo is available in three trim levels, called Expression, Play and Dynamique. Expression and Play models get Renault's new R and Go docking system, which links a user's mobile phone to the car to provide navigation, infotainment serves and trip computer functions via the use of an app.
Standard equipment includes a rear spoiler, 15-inch wheels, electric power steering, electric front windows, split folding rear bench and remote central locking as well as ESC, hill start assist and emergency braking systems.
Mid-level Play models add air conditioning, a height-adjustable driver's seat and steering wheel and new black wheel accents.
The top-spec Dynamique variant gets 15-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights, cruise control, a start-stop system, leather trim for the steering wheel and gear knob, and rear door bins.
The TCe 90-powered Twingo in Dynamique specification also gets variable gear ratio steering, which Renault says makes the car "more agile and reactive at lower speeds". A Sport pack is also available and adds 16-inch alloy wheels, red and black upholstery inside and red exterior trim accents.
Personalisation options include interior trim colours, different alloy wheels and vehicle decals, while buyers can also specify luxuries such as rear parking sensors and camera, an upgraded stereo, heated front seats, climate control and Renault's R-Link infotainment system.
Prices for the new Twingo start at £9495 for the SCe 70 in Expression trim, rising to £11,695 for the TCe 90 in Dynamique Energy specification. The SCe 70 in Play guise, expected to be one of the best-selling models in the range, costs £9995.
The Twingo shares its underpinnings with the new Smart Forfour, while a shortened version of the same platform is used in the Smart Fortwo. The Twingo is built alongside the Forfour at Renault's plant in Slovenia.
Speaking to Autocar at the Geneva motor show earlier this year, Renault design boss Laurens van den Acker said the shape of the new car was not only an homage to the 1992 original, but was also inspired by the classic Renault 5.
At 3.59m long, the new Twingo is 100mm shorter than the current car, but has a 120mm-longer wheelbase and 220mm of extra space inside.
Boot space is set at 219 litres with the rear bench in place, rising to 980 litres with it folded down.
Rivals for the new Twingo include the Smart Forfour, the Volkswagen Up and its associated Skoda Citigo and Seat Mii siblings, as well as the city car trio of the Toyota Aygo, Peugeot 108 and Citroën C1.
Order books are open now, with first deliveries scheduled for late September.
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Add your comment
A taste of good things to come?
I don't hate this car, but I
Greenracer wrote:I don't hate
If it's like the mk2 smart fortwo, then actually it's rather easy to do. Having owned several smarts, I know it really isn't an issue
Weird! Where has all this
Personaly, I prefer the look of the twingo to pretty much any other city car on the market, although the interior looks fairly cheap (smart do a better job of this). Price is a little steep compared to rivals, but who pays list price for a Renault? There will be a grand off that in no time
as for the front not being a boot, there must a reason for this. There has to be somewhere to top up the fluids, and this may take up most of the space. Perhaps there are also crash regulations preventing this as well. All very well making it safe to pedestrians, then someone puts a solid item in there, negating all the crash test requirements.