Renault Twingo

Renault Twingo
Overview
Manufacturer Renault
Production 1992–present
Body and chassis
Class City car
Body style 3-door hatchback (Twingo I and II)
5-door hatchback (Twingo III)
Layout Front-engine, front-wheel-drive (Twingo I and II)
Rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive (Twingo III)
Chronology
Predecessor Renault 4

The Renault Twingo is a city car manufactured and marketed by the French automaker Renault.

The first-generation Twingo (two-door, front engine) debuted at the Paris Motor Show in September 1992, receiving its formal market launch in continental European markets beginning in 1993. Renault launched the second-generation Twingo (two-door, front engine) in the summer of 2007—and the third generation (four-door, rear engine) debuted at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show and receiving its formal market launch in September 2014.

Twingo is a portmanteau of the words Twist, Swing and Tango.[1]

Twingo I (1993–2007)

Twingo I
Overview
Production 1993–2007 (France)
1997–2003 (Uruguay)
1995–2012 (Colombia)
Assembly Flins, France (Flins Plant)
Montevideo, Uruguay
Envigado, Colombia (Sofasa)
Valladolid, Spain (Renault Spain)
Designer Patrick le Quément
Body and chassis
Body style 3-door hatchback
Layout Front-engine, front-wheel-drive
Powertrain
Engine 1.0 L D7D I4 (petrol)
1.2 L C3G I4 (petrol)
1.2 L D7F I4 (petrol)
1.2 L D4F I4 (petrol)
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,345 mm (92.3 in)
Length 3,430 mm (135.0 in)
Width 1,630 mm (64.2 in)
Height 1,420 mm (55.9 in)
Curb weight from 790 kg (1,742 lb)

The original Twingo was launched in April 1993, was sold in Europe's LHD markets until June 2007 and received intermediate restylings in 1998, 2000 and 2004.

Interior of the 1993–1998 Twingo I
Interior of the 1993–1998 Twingo I
Interior of the 1998–2000 Twingo I
Interior of the 1998–2000 Twingo I

Development

Designed under the direction of Patrick le Quément, Renault's chief designer.[2] The car derived from a series of concepts developed through the W60 project when Gaston Juchet was Renault's chief designer. The project was aimed at replacing the Renault 4 with a minivan model.[2] Le Quément chose a Jean-Pierre Ploué design to develop the production version. He included an unconventional front-end layout resembling a "smile." The interior equipment was mounted on a central console to free space.[3]

Renault had participated in the 1981-1984 'Mono-Box' ECO 2000 car project along with PSA Peugeot-Citroën and the French government.[4]

The Twingo I electronic centrally-mounted instrument panel had a speedometer, fuel gauge, clock, odometer and trip recorder controlled via a stalk-located button. A strip of warning lights was located behind the steering wheel. The rear seat featured a sliding mechanism to enable either increased boot space or rear seat legroom. The boot parcel shelf was attached to the inside of the tailgate and lifted with the tailgate — or could clip back against the rear window when not required.

Engines

All engines were replaced with an 8-valve 1.15-litre 60 hp (45 kW) unit. A 16-valve 75 hp (56 kW) version was added in 2000.

Manufactured at the Flins Renault Factory from the time of its launch until June 2007, the Twingo I was also manufactured in Colombia and Uruguay from 1997 to 2003,[5] remaining in production into 2012 in Colombia, by the Sofasa conglomerate, strictly for the South American market.

Twingo I Safety

EuroNCAP results:

Timeline

Twingo II (2007–2014)

Twingo II
Overview
Production 2007–2014
Assembly Novo Mesto, Slovenia (Renault Slovenia)
Body and chassis
Body style 3-door hatchback
Layout Front-engine, front-wheel-drive
Platform Alliance B platform
Related Renault Wind
Powertrain
Engine 1.2 L D7F I4 (petrol)
1.2 L D4F I4 (petrol)
1.2 L D4FT turbo I4 (petrol)
1.6 L K4M-RS I4 (petrol)
1.5 L K9K I4 (diesel)
Transmission 5-speed manual
5-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,365 mm (93.1 in)
Length 3,600 mm (141.7 in)
Width 1,655 mm (65.2 in)
Height 1,470 mm (57.9 in)
Curb weight from 1,000 kg (2,205 lb)
Rear of the Twingo II
Renault Twingo II, phase one
Renault Twingo RS Gordini

After presenting an initial concept at the 2006 Mondial de l'Automobile, Renault debuted the production Twingo II at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show with French market trim levels named Authentique, Expression, Initiale, Dynamique and GT. Using the floorpan of the Renault Clio II,[6] the Twingo II offered improved crash protection and was available in LHD & RHD configurations. Production began in France and subsequently moved to the Revoz plant in Novo Mesto, Slovenia.[7]

In January 2008, Renault debuted the Twingo Renaultsport 133,[8] with a new 133 hp (100 kW) 1,598 cc engine, at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show. In August 2013, ordering and production of the 133 model ended.[9]

In July 2011, Renault debuted a facelifted Twingo II at the Frankfurt Motor Show, featuring a design language subsequently used on their entire range[10] and offering revised fascias as well as redesigned front and rear light clusters.[11]

On series 14 episode 4 of Top Gear, presenter Jeremy Clarkson road tested the Twingo 133 on Belfast streets and barrel-rolled upside down through a sewage tunnel. After numerous accidents, he raced to catch a departing ferry, instead landing in the ocean.[12][13]

On 16 March 2011, the Renault Twingo won the "best city car award" in the Parkers' New Car Awards.[14]

Special editions included the Twingo Renaultsport Gordini; Twingo Gordini TCe 100; Twingo Bizu; Twingo Pzaz;[15] Twingo Renaultsport Silverstone GP (UK-only);[16] Twingo Miss Sixty;[17] and Twingo Renaultsport Red Bull RB7.[18]

Twingo II Safety

EuroNCAP results:[19]

Engines

Petrol engines
Model Engine Displacement Power Torque Note CO2 emission
1.2 D7F I41149 cc61 PS (45 kW; 60 hp) at 6100 rpm93 N·m (69 lb·ft) at 4250 rpm132 g/km
1.2 D4FI41149 cc76 PS (56 kW; 75 hp) at 5500 rpm105 N·m (77 lb·ft) at 4250 rpm135 g/km
1.2 D4FT (turbo)I4 1149 cc101 PS (74 kW; 100 hp) at 5500 rpm145 N·m (107 lb·ft) at 3000 rpm140 g/km
1.6 K4M-RSI4 1598 cc135 PS (99 kW; 133 hp) at 6751 rpm160 N·m (118 lb·ft) at 4400 rpm160 g/km
Diesel engine
Model Engine Displacement Power Torque Note CO2 emission
1.5 dCiI4 1461 cc85 PS (63 kW; 84 hp) at 4000 rpm160 N·m (118 lb·ft) at 1700 rpm113 g/km

Twingo III (2014–present)

Twingo III
Overview
Production 2014–present
Assembly Novo Mesto, Slovenia (Renault Slovenia)
Designer Csaba Wittinger[20]
Body and chassis
Body style 5-door hatchback
Layout Rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive[21][22]
Related Smart Forfour
Smart Fortwo
Powertrain
Engine 0.9 L H-Type I3 TCe (petrol)
1.0 L H-Type I3 (petrol)
Transmission 5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,490 mm (98.0 in)
Length 3,590 mm (141.3 in)
Width 1,640 mm (64.6 in)
Height 1,550 mm (61.0 in)
Renault Twingo Dynamique (Germany)

The third generation of the Renault Twingo debuted in March 2014 at the Geneva Motor Show.[23] The model includes a five-door body style,[24] and rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive transmission,[22] co-developed with Daimler's Smart division.[25] Co-developed with the third generation Smart Fortwo, and sharing the same platform as the second generation Smart Forfour, the latter two vehicles are manufactured at the same factory in Novo Mesto, Slovenia.[22]

The Twingo III was photographed under testing in September 2013.[25] It resembles the Twin'Z concept unveiled in April 2013[26] and the Twin'Run concept,[25] presented in May 2013, at the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Monaco.[27] The third-generation Twingo entered into production in May 2014 at Novo Mesto[28] and was launched into the European market in September.[29]

Design and development

In 2010, Renault and Daimler, as part of their existing partnership, announced the "Project Edison", a collaboration aimed at conceiving a shared platform for small city cars from both companies.[30][31] The first cars made using the platform were the third-generation Twingo and the second-generation Smart Forfour. In these two, Renault and Daimler invested equally during the research and development phase, but then Renault specialised more in engines and Daimler in transmissions on the next stages.[32] Both companies tried to ensure a distinctive design. Renault designers took inspiration from the Renault 5[20] and the first-generation Twingo,[33] while incorporating Laurens van den Acker's cycle of life design styling. The car was originally launched with four colour options as with the original Twingo.[26]

Technical details

The Twingo III is about 100 mm shorter than the Twingo II.[34] The rear-engine layout improves the manoeuvrability and the cabin space, but reduced the boot capacity.[29] The suspension is composed by MacPherson struts on the front axle and a De Dion tube on the rear.[29] The car uses a five-door architecture, which differs it from its three-door predecessors. Brakes are ventilated disks on the front and drums on the rear.[34]

Equipment

The car has four trim levels: Expression, Play, Dynamique and Dynamique S with various packs for customisation. Between its optionals it allows to use the smartphone as an instrument panel (R&Go) and has an infotainment system (R-Link).[29]

Safety

As standard, the car incorporates tyre pressure sensors, seatbelts reminders, four airbags and four head and chest side airbags.[34] It achieved a 4-star Euro NCAP test rating in 2014.

Euro NCAP test results
Renault Twingo (2014)[35]
Test Points %
Overall:
Adult occupant: 30 78%
Child occupant: 40 81%
Pedestrian: 25 68%
Safety assist: 7 56%

Engines

The car has two 3-cylinder petrol engines. A 0.9-litre turbocharged unit and a 1-litre atmospheric. Both are fitted low and in a 49 degrees angle to increase boot's capacity.[34][36][37]

Engine Code Displacement Power Torque Top speed 0-62 mph Combined consumption CO2 emissions
Petrol engines
Sce 70 H4D 400 999 cc 52 kW (71 hp) at 6,000 rpm 91 N·m (67 lb·ft) at 2,850 rpm 151 km/h (94 mph) 14.5 s 4.5 l/100 km (63 mpg-imp) 105 g/km
Sce 70 Stop & Start H4D 400 999 cc 52 kW (71 hp) at 6,000 rpm 91 N·m (67 lb·ft) at 2,850 rpm 151 km/h (94 mph) 14.5 s 4.2 l/100 km (67 mpg-imp) 95 g/km
Energy Tce 90 Stop & Start H4Bt 401 898 cc 66 kW (90 hp) at 5,500 rpm 135 N·m (100 lb·ft) at 2,500 rpm 165 km/h (103 mph) 10.8 s 4.3 l/100 km (66 mpg-imp) 99 g/km

Advertising

In February 2014, Renault organised a "strip-tweet" online event to promote the Twingo III. The manufacturer commissioned to Publicis the conception of the car's European advertising. Publicis hired French artists and animators Olivier Kuntzel and Françoise Deygas for the design of the visual campaign[38] with the theme "Go Anywhere, Go Everywhere."[39]

In 2015, Renault released a short music video, "All-new Twingo : Show me a car !", in which a twee-styled woman is searching a nifty car. It ends with a reference to "Papa & Nicole" adverts for the Renault Clio : "Papa ! - Nicole ? - Your seatbelt!". The brief video got a viral success in the UK with approximately 300,000 views in 4 weeks.. A Pop Up Store was opened at the Cremerie de Paris.[40]

Reception and awards

The Renault Twingo III got many awards worldwide. In the UK, the new Twingo won several major awards including "City Car of the Year" in the 2014 TopGear Magazine Awards, "City Car of the Year" in the UK Car of the Year Awards and "Best City Car" in the Daily Express 2014 Motoring Oscars, "Best City Car" at the 2015 British GQ Car Awards, for example.

Thus, the Twingo III has received positive reviews in the UK. Paul Horrell of Top Gear magazine gave the car a score of seven out of 10, calling it: "a genuinely different approach to design and engineering that has brought real dividends, not just in being different for its own sake. Most important, it's much more fun than a base-model supermini for the same cash."[41] Auto Express and its sister publication CarBuyer scored it four out of five stars, praising its maneuverability, design, and rear passenger space but criticizing its wind noise and high price compared to its rivals.[42][43] What Car? gave the car three out of five stars, saying: "The Renault Twingo mixes cheeky retro styling with genuine practicality. It’s neither as refined nor as comfortable as the best city cars, though."[44]

Concept cars

The third-generation Twingo was previewed through two concepts, the Twin'Z and the Twin'Run.[26]

Twin'Z

Renault Twin'Z
Overview
Manufacturer Renault
Production 2013 (Concept car)
Body and chassis
Class City car (A)
Body style 5-door hatchback
Layout Rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Powertrain
Engine Electric motor
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,490 mm (98.0 in)
Length 3,590 mm (141.3 in)
Width 1,640 mm (64.6 in)
Height 1,550 mm (61.0 in)

The Twin'Z is a city car concept unveiled in April 2013. Its styling was created in partnership with British designer Ross Lovegrove. According to Renault's chief designer Laurens van den Acker, the purpose of its introduction was to "break down the boundaries between the world of an object whose calling is to be in movement - the automobile - and that of furniture." The concept has a rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout and is powered by an electric motor with a 67 hp (49 kW) power output and a torque of 167 lb·ft (226 N·m). It has no B-pillar or dashboard and its doors open in conventional doors up front and suicide doors in the rear.[45]

Twin'Run

The Twin'Run concept

The Twin'Run is a rear-wheel-drive hot hatch concept developed by Renault with assistance of Tork Engineering and Poclain Véhicules, unveiled in May 2013. It is powered by a mid-mounted V6 engine with 320 hp (235 kW), coupled to a twin-clutch six-speed sequential gearbox and limited-slip differential. It has double-wishbone independent suspension on both axles. The chassis is a tubular steel frame inspired by the Mégane Trophy and Renault 5 Turbo Maxi from WRC.[46][47]

References

  1. ↑ "Twist, Swing and Tango — it's the new Renault Twingo". MotorTorque.com.
  2. 1 2 "Renault Twingo 1 (1992): design history". Car Body Design. 2007-03-21.
  3. ↑ Meiners, Jens (2014-01-06). "20 years on, Patrick Le Quément exposes the political battles and design decisions behind the Renault Twingo". Car Design News. Retrieved 2014-10-02.
  4. ↑ "ECO 2000 - Citroenet". Retrieved 2010-01-07.
  5. ↑ "Uruguay es interesante para la producción de autopartes y de vehículos". Espectador.com. 2007-03-14.
  6. ↑ "Historic Models - Renault Twingo". Renault.com. Retrieved 2012-11-22.
  7. ↑ "2010 Registration document" (PDF). Renault.com. 2011-04-18.
  8. ↑ "Roadcars - Twingo Renaultsport". Renaultsport.co.uk. Retrieved 2010-10-09.
  9. ↑ "The Renault Twingo RS is dead". Top Gear. 2013-08-01. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
  10. ↑ "Renault previews new Twingo ahead of world debut". Renault.co.uk. 2011-07-28. Retrieved 2011-09-20.
  11. ↑ "First pic: new Twingo preview". Top Gear. 2011-07-28. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
  12. ↑ "How Belfast Bent Over Backwards for ''Top Gear''". Belfast Telegraph. 2009-10-10. Retrieved 2010-12-12.
  13. ↑ "''Top Gear'', Belfast and a Renault Twingo". CarsUK.net. 2009-12-06. Retrieved 2010-12-12.
  14. ↑ "'Parkers New Car Awards". Parkers.co.uk. 2011-03-16.
  15. ↑ "Pzaz Limited Edition". Renault.co.uk. Retrieved 2011-09-20.
  16. ↑ "Twingo Renaultsport 133". Renaultsport.co.uk. Retrieved 2011-09-20.
  17. ↑ "MZine Miss Sixty". Miss Sixty. Retrieved 2011-10-24.
  18. ↑ "Renault Twingo RS Red Bull edition". Dennis Publishing Ltd. Retrieved 2013-02-11.
  19. ↑ "Renault Twingo". Euro NCAP. Retrieved 2007-09-07.
  20. 1 2 Kew, Oliver (2014-06-21). "New Renault Twingo vs classic Renault 5". Auto Express. Retrieved 2014-10-02.
  21. ↑ "Interactive video of the New Twingo 2014". renault.co.uk.
  22. 1 2 3 Hilton Holloway. "New Renault Twingo spotted". autocar.co.uk.
  23. ↑ "GENEVA SHOW: World premieres [final list]". just-auto.com.
  24. ↑ http://www.carscoops.com/2013/06/next-renault-twingo-to-only-be.html
  25. 1 2 3 Mihnea Radu. "Spyshots: All-New Renault Twingo Spotted for First Time, Looks Like Twin'Run Concept". autoevolution.
  26. 1 2 3 "New Twingo: Renault’s fresh take on its popular city car". Renault. 2014-02-14. Retrieved 2014-10-02.
  27. ↑ Matt Burt. "Renault Twin'Run concept revealed in Monaco". autocar.co.uk.
  28. ↑ "Revoz launches production of new Renault Twingo". sloveniatimes.com. The Slovenia Times. 2014-05-08. Retrieved 2014.
  29. 1 2 3 4 English, Andrew (2014-08-29). "Renault Twingo first drive". telegraph.co.uk. Telegraph Media Group. Retrieved 2014-10-01.
  30. ↑ Kable,Greg (2010-03-30). "Daimler, Renault are set to share vehicle platforms and engines". Autoweek. Retrieved 2014.
  31. ↑ "Daimler-Renault deal confirmed". Autocar. Retrieved 2014-10-02.
  32. ↑ Ducamp, Pauline (2014-09-04). "Nouvelle Twingo : entre Renault et Daimler, qui fait quoi ?" [New Twingo: Renault and Daimler, who does what?] (in French). L'Usine nouvelle. Retrieved 2014-10-02.
  33. ↑ Vautier, Maya (2014-03-06). "Geneva 2014: meet the designers behind new Twingo". Renault. Retrieved 2014-10-02.
  34. 1 2 3 4 "New Twingo brochure" (PDF). Renault UK. Retrieved 2014-10-03.
  35. ↑ "Euro NCAP results for Renault Twingo" (PDF). euroncap.com. 2014.
  36. ↑ "Renault Twingo review". Auto Express. Retrieved 2014-10-03.
  37. ↑ Holloway, Hilton (2014-08-28). "Renault Twingo TCe 90 Dynamique first drive review". Autocar. Retrieved 2014-10-03.
  38. ↑ Arnulf, Sylvain (2014-08-29). "Renault s'offre une signature prestigieuse pour la campagne pub de la nouvelle Twingo" [Renault signs a prestigious advertising firm for the New Twingo campaign] (in French). L'Usine nouvelle. Retrieved 2014-10-03.
  39. ↑ "Tiny Twingo makes a massive statement". The Stable. Retrieved 2014-10-03.
  40. ↑ "Renault Twingo Pop Up Store". Cremerie de Paris.
  41. ↑ Horrell, Paul. "Renault Twingo Driven". Top Gear magazine. Retrieved 2014-11-06.
  42. ↑ "Renault Twingo review". Auto Express. 2014-10-16. Retrieved 2014-11-06.
  43. ↑ "Renault Twingo". CarBuyer. Retrieved 2014-11-06.
  44. ↑ "Renault Twingo Hatchback Review". What Car?. Retrieved 2014-11-06.
  45. ↑ Horncastle, Rowan (2013-04-08). "Renault unveils the Twin’Z concept". topgear.com. Retrieved 2014-10-03.
  46. ↑ "Renault unveils Twin'Run concept". topgear.com. 2013-05-24. Retrieved 2014-10-05.
  47. ↑ Bond, Paul (2013-05-24). "Renault Twin'Run revealed". Auto Express. Retrieved 2014-10-05.

External links

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