Renault Twingo
| Renault Twingo | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Renault |
| Production | 1992 - Present |
| Designer | Patrick le Quément |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | City car |
| Body style | 3-door hatchback |
| Layout | FF layout |
| First generation | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 1992-2006 |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | Template:Auto mm |
| Length | Template:Auto mm |
| Width | Template:Auto mm |
| Height | Template:Auto mm |
| Curb weight | from Template:Auto kg |
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 from 1993. The second generation Twingo was launched in Summer 2007.
The "Twingo" name is a portmanteau derived from the words "Twist", "Swing" and "Tango"[1] and it is said to denote the "fun and active" "personality" of the car [citation needed].
Generation I (1992-2007)
Project
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 (car), from which its monobox silhouette is claimed to be derived.[2][3]
Production
The Twingo has been built since its launch in France in 1992 and in Colombia and Uruguay from 1999 to 2002,[4] undergoing three intermediate restylings in 1998, 2000 and 2004.
Production of the first generation model ceased at the Flins factory in France on 28th June 2007. It is, however, still produced in Colombia by the Sofasa conglomerate[5] for the South American market.
Total production up to 30th June 2007 was 2,478,648[6]
Characteristics
The Twingo featured revolutionary features (at the time of launch) of a 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. It also had a sliding rear seat, which could be moved to either increase boot space or rear seat legroom. 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.
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 1.1-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) are shared with other vehicles across the Renault range.
Right-hand drive market
When the car was launched, Renault's senior bosses said that the British market would not want a city car, so Renault did not produce a right-hand drive version. They were also concerned that it would take away sales from the recently launched Clio, as well as another claim that it would cost too much to engineer the car to right hand specification to make the car competitively priced. Later entrants to this market and their popularity in the United Kingdom, like the Fiat Cinquecento, Ford Ka and Smart Fortwo, suggest that this decision was a mistake. However, many LHD Twingos have been imported from mainland Europe by customers, and all Renault dealers are able to provide servicing and parts for the vehicle.
Electric version
A battery electric vehicle version was presented at the international Geneva Motor Show in 2006, that fits Zebra batteries.
Timeline
- April 1993 - Launched with only one trim level, and four colours, 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 edition launched. Airbags are also available.
- July 1996 - New engine of 1149cc 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 and revised front and rear lights.
- October 1998 - Top of the range Initiale model launched.
- September 2000 - Second major restyling — Larger 14" wheels, revised door trims with larger door pockets, revised dash with cup holders in front of gearstick.
- December 2000 - 1.2 litre 16v engine launched, with 75hp.
- 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 France, to be replaced by the Twingo 2.
Generation II (2007-present)
| Second generation | |
|---|---|
| |
| Overview | |
| Production | 2007-present |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | Template:Auto mm |
| Length | Template:Auto mm |
| Width | Template:Auto mm |
| Height | Template:Auto mm |
| Curb weight | from Template:Auto kg |
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, partly due to the successful launch of the TPCA Peugeot 107/Citroën C1/Toyota Aygo, which became the new benchmark for city cars. [citation needed]
The model is based on the floorpan of the Renault Clio Mark II, with significantly improved strength and crash protection.
Production was transferred from France to the Novo Mesto plant in Slovenia (Revoz).
It went on sale in France, Italy and Slovenia on 15 June 2007, and in the rest of Europe, including the UK, in September 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 will start with the un-named base model followed by Authentique, Expression, Initiale, Dynamique and GT.
On 31 January 2008 Renault announced the Twingo Renaultsport[7], with a new 133 hp (100 kW) 1,598cc engine and Renaultsport styling. Its first public outing will be at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show and the first cars are expected to ship in late 2008.
The second generation Twingo is also available in right hand drive for the first time. Engines available in the UK are the 75 hp (56 kW) and 100 hp (70 kW) petrol units, in Dynamique and GT trim levels. A 60 hp (45 kW) engine was released in January 2008, in a cheaper Extreme trim level with the Renaultsport 133 hp (100 kW) due in late 2008.
Safety
Twingo Generation I EuroNCAP Results
- Adult Occupant:
, score 23 - Pedestrian: , score 11
Twingo Generation II EuroNCAP Results[8]
- Adult Occupant: , score 28
- Pedestrian: , score 11
References
- ^ "Twist, Swing and Tango — it's the new Renault Twingo".
- ^ Car Body Design - Renault Twingo design history
- ^ Auto Histories - Beskid
- ^ Template:Es icon El Espectador - Interview with Nordex facility president Ernesto Soler
- ^ Renault
- ^ http://www.renault.com/renault_com/en/images/ATLAS_GB-ANIM_tcm1120-657753.pdf
- ^ Renaultsport.co.uk - Roadcars - Twingo Renaultsport
- ^ Euro NCAP - Euro NCAP results for 2007 Twingo
External links
- Official Renault Twingo website
- UK Official Renault Twingo microsite
- Renault Twingo UK product page
- Renault New Twingo Press Release
- An Israeli Renault Twingo photo album
