Renault Twingo

Renault Twingo

Manufacturer	Renault
Production	1992–present
Predecessor	Renault 4
Class	City car
Body style	3-door hatchback
Layout	FF layout
Designer(s)	Patrick le Quément

The Renault Twingo is a city car built by French automaker Renault, first presented at the Paris Motor Show in September 1992 and sold in continental European markets beginning in 1993. The second generation Twingo was launched in summer 2007.

"Twingo" is a portmanteau of the words "Twist", "Swing" and "Tango".

Twingo I (1992–2007)

Twingo I

Production	1992–2007 (France) 1997–2003 (Uruguay) 1995–2012 (Colombia)
Assembly	Flins, France (Flins Renault Factory) Montevideo, Uruguay Envigado, Colombia (Sofasa)
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)
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 and was sold in Europe until June 2007, in LHD markets only.

Project

Interior of the 1993–1998 Twingo I

Interior of the 1998–2000 Twingo I

The Twingo was designed under Patrick le Quément, Renault's chief designer. Le Quément's belief was that it was a greater risk for Renault to take no risks at all, having seen its market share suffer from cars such as the Renault 9 and 11. The design of the Twingo resembles that of the 1982 Polish prototype Beskid, from which its monobox silhouette is claimed to be derived. Renault took the design when the Polish company making the Beskid, FSM, didn't extend the patent on the cars. However, Renault participated in the 1981-1984 'Mono-Box' ECO 2000 car project along with PSA Peugeot-Citroën and the French government. This inspired a Mono Box design intended for the Citroën AX that didn't make it to production, after negative reactions in focus groups.

Production

The Twingo has been built since its launch in France in 1992 and in Colombia and Uruguay from 1997 to 2003, undergoing three intermediate restylings in 1998, 2000 and 2004 — solely as left-hand drive models in its first-generation and not sold in most RHD markets.

Production of the first generation model ceased at the Flins factory in France on 28 June 2007. It was produced in Colombia by the Sofasa conglomerate for the South American market until June, 2012.

Characteristics

The Twingo featured unusual features (at the time of launch) of an electronic centrally mounted instrument panel, consisting of a speedometer, fuel gauge and clock, with the odometer and trip recorder selected by pushing a button on the end of the steering column stalk. This left just a strip of warning lights in the area behind the steering wheel. (A central analogue instrument cluster was a feature of the 1959 Austin Mini). It also had a sliding rear seat, which could be moved to either increase boot space or rear seat legroom. (This was a feature of the late 1980s Kia Pride/Ford Festiva/Mazda 121.) The boot parcel shelf was also unusual in that it was attached to the inside of the tailgate, and lifted up with the tailgate. It could also be clipped back against the rear window when not required. (This was a feature of the 1978 Citroën Visa)

All the first-generation Twingos were equipped with straight-4 petrol engines. Initially available with an 8-valve 1.2-litre 55 hp (41 kW) engine, it was 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.

Many parts (e.g. the JB1 gearbox, brakes, engine, window switches and seats) are shared with other vehicles across the Renault range.

2005 Trim specification levels

Campus/Generation, Kenzo, Kiss Cool, Initiale

Electric version

A battery electric vehicle version was presented at the international Geneva Motor Show in 2006, that fits Zebra batteries.

• April 1993 - Launched with only one trim level, and four colours, coral red, indian yellow, coriander green and overseas blue, at a price of 55,000FF.
• June 1994 - New colours introduced and minor interior changes.
• October 1994 - Easy model launched, with a semi automatic gearbox.
• September 1995 - The first of many special editions launched. Airbags become optional.
• July 1996 - New engine of 1149 cc from the Clio fitted to replace the previous engine from the Renault 5. Also, various improvements made including the addition of a third brake light.
• July 1998 - First major restyling — revisions to interior and dashboard, revised front and rear lights; front orange indicator lights removed.
• October 1998 - Top of the range Initiale model launched.
• September 2000 - Second major restyling — Larger 14" wheels, revised door trims with larger door pockets, the lock to open the trunk/boot is now black instead of shiny silver, cup holders are added in front of gearstick.
• December 2000 - 1.2 litre 16v engine launched, with 75 hp (56 kW).
• April 2001 - Semi automatic gearbox launched, called Quickshift.
• September 2002 - Further revisions — new interior trims and wheel covers.
• September 2004 - Third major revision — Renault logo fitted to bootlid, side rubbing strips fitted and new colours launched.
• June 2007 - Production and sales end in Europe, to be replaced by the Twingo 2.

• 

  1993–1998 Twingo, front

• 

  1998–2000 Twingo, front

• 

  2000–2004 Twingo, front

• 

  2004–2007 Twingo, front (non standard wheels)

• 

  1993–1998 Twingo, rear

• 

  1998–2000 Twingo, rear

• 

  2000–2004 Twingo, rear

• 

  2004–2007 Twingo, rear (non standard wheels)

Twingo II (2007–present)

Twingo II

Production	2007–present
Assembly	Novo Mesto, Slovenia (Renault Slovenia)
Platform	Alliance B platform
Engine	1.2 L D7F I4 (petrol) 1.2 L D4F I4 (petrol) 1.2 L D4FT I4 (t/c petrol) 1.6 L K4M-RS I4 (petrol) 1.5 L K9K I4 (diesel)
Transmission	5-speed manual 5-speed automatic
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)
Related	Renault Wind

Rear of the Twingo II

A concept was presented at the 2006 Mondial de l'Automobile. The production version was presented at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show after a last minute redesign was ordered.^{[citation needed]}

The model is based on the floorpan of the Renault Clio II, with significantly improved strength and crash protection.

Production was transferred from France to the Revoz plant in Novo Mesto, Slovenia.

It went on sale in France, Italy and Slovenia on 15 June 2007, and in the rest of Europe, including the UK and Ireland, on September 4, 2007. The motoring press in the UK have criticised the new Twingo for being rather unadventurous in style and appearance compared to the original.

The petrol engine is a 1.2-litre unit in three versions, an 8-valve 60 hp (45 kW) naturally aspirated, a 16-valve 75 hp (56 kW) naturally aspirated and a 16-valve 100 hp (70 kW) turbocharged version. The diesel engine is a 1.5-litre 65 hp (48 kW) dCi unit.

Trim levels for the French market starts with the unnamed base model followed by Authentique, Expression, Initiale, Dynamique and GT.

On 31 January 2008 Renault announced the Twingo Renaultsport, with a new 133 hp (100 kW) 1,598 cc engine and Renaultsport styling. Its first public outing was at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show and the first cars were shipped in late 2008.

The second generation Twingo is also available in RHD markets such as Japan, Ireland and the UK. Engines available in the UK are the 75 hp (56 kW) in Dynamique trim level and 100 hp (70 kW) petrol units, in GT trim level. A 60 hp (45 kW) engine, in a cheaper Extreme trim level was released in January 2008, and the Renaultsport 133 hp (100 kW) went on sale in September 2008. In February 2009, a new model, called Freeway will be introduced, below the current Extreme model, but with the same 60 hp (45 kW) engine. In summer 2010, the Freeway and Extreme were renamed in the UK markets to the Expression and i-Music respectively; these were given new interiors and changes to some of the exterior, including new rear bumpers and wing mirrors.

On series 14 episode 4 of Top Gear, presenter Jeremy Clarkson did an unusual road test of the Twingo 133 on the streets of Belfast, Northern Ireland. During the segment, Clarkson drove it through a sewage tunnel in an attempt to run it upside down, which he managed to do as part of a barrel roll. After subjecting it to numerous "accidents", he raced the battered car in an attempt to catch a departing ferry, only to crash it into the ocean.

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

Special editions

• Twingo Renaultsport Gordini: A Twingo Renaultsport with Gordini branding available in Gordini trim level in Pearlescent Black or Malta Blue. Only 200 available in UK markets. Went on sale in the Spring/Summer of 2010.
• Twingo Gordini TCe 100: An affordable version of the RS Gordini. The Gordini 100 features the 1.2 TCe engine (as in non-Renaultsport models) and full Gordini branding, available in Pearlescent Black or Malta Blue. This model was introduced in the latter of 2010.
• Twingo Bizu: Based on the Authentique (EU)/Expression (UK)) model using the same 1.2 TCe engine. A limited edition trim featuring new front bumpers, Bluetooth and a new headunit/stereo. This model became available early 2011.
• Twingo Pzaz: Another special edition in the form of the Authentique (EU)/Expression (UK)) model that features special wheel trims, intelligent front windscreen wipers, a stereo with auxiliary jack for MP3 players and a sports-style front bumper (as seen on the iMusic model). Launched in summer 2011.
• Twingo Renaultsport Silverstone GP: A UK-only limited edition. Only 50 of the Twingo RS Silverstone were made. Having good affiliation with Silverstone, Renault developed and introduced the Twingo Renaultsport Silverstone GP model in the summer of 2011. The Silverstone offers an extensive range of features and options that are not available in the standard Twingo RS models including: a lowered cup chassis, 17" alloy wheels, a black spoiler, extra tinted rear windows and a special 'Silverstone GP' badge on the B-pillar.
• Twingo Miss Sixty: Only marketed in Europe, the Miss Sixty version of the Twingo was targeted specifically at the female audience. These special edition Twingo's were available in bohemian pink or pearlescent black and sported a pink and black interior to give a sultry glam'rock finish.
• Twingo Renaultsport Red Bull RB7: Only marketed in Germany, Austria, France, Belgium/Luxemburg, Japan, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland and Switzerland, the Red Bull Racing edition was built alongside the RB7 version of the Clio Renaultsport to commemorate Red Bull Racing winning the 2011 Formula One constructors championship. These special edition Twingo's were only available in Renaultsport guise, including the optional cup chassis and R.S. monitor options as standard along with yellow highlights and Red Bull Racing decals to complete the styling.

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  Renault Twingo GT with sports accessories

• 

  Renault Twingo RS Gordini

Facelift

Renault Twingo II, phase II

On 28 July 2011, Renault announced a facelift to the current second generation Twingo which was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show and is the first model in the Renault range to wear the new iconic design and branding that will eventually follow on to the entire range of Renault cars.

The new Twingo sports new bumpers as well as a larger Renault badge and redesigned front and rear light clusters.

Engines

Petrol engines
Model	Engine	Displacement	Power	Torque	Note	CO2 emission
1.2	I4	1149 cc	61 PS (45 kW; 60 hp) at 6100 rpm	93 N·m (69 lb·ft) at 4250 rpm		132 g/km
1.2	I4	1149 cc	76 PS (56 kW; 75 hp) at 5500 rpm	105 N·m (77 lb·ft) at 4250 rpm		135 g/km
1.2 turbo	I4	1149 cc	101 PS (74 kW; 100 hp) at 5500 rpm	145 N·m (107 lb·ft) at 3000 rpm		140 g/km
RS 1.6	I4	1598 cc	135 PS (99 kW; 133 hp) at 6751 rpm	160 N·m (118 lb·ft) at 4400 rpm		160 g/km
Diesel engine
Model	Engine	Displacement	Power	Torque	Note	CO2 emission
1.5 dCi	I4	1461 cc	66 PS (49 kW; 65 hp) at 4000 rpm	160 N·m (118 lb·ft) at 1700 rpm		113 g/km

Safety

Twingo I

EuroNCAP results:

• Adult Occupant: , score 23
• Pedestrian: , score 11

Twingo II

EuroNCAP results:

• Adult Occupant: , score 28
• Pedestrian: , score 11

External links

• Official Renault Twingo website
• UK Official Renault Twingo microsite