Renault Twingo

Manufacturer	Renault
Production	1992–present
Predecessor	Renault 4
Class	City car
Body style	3-door hatchback
Layout	FF layout
Designer	Patrick le Quément[which?]

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. The "Twingo" name is a portmanteau derived from the words "Twist", "Swing" and "Tango".^[1]

First generation (1992–present)

Twingo I

Production	1992–2007 (France) 1995–2008 (Uruguay) 1995–present (Colombia)
Assembly	Flins, France Montevideo, Uruguay Envigado, Colombia
Engine	1.0L D7D I4 petrol 1.2L C3G I4 petrol 1.2L D7F I4 petrol 1.2L 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 left-hand drive 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.^[2][3] However, Renault participated in the 1981-1984 'Mono-Box' ECO 2000 car project along with PSA Peugeot-Citroën and the French government.^[4] This inspired a Mono Box design intended for the Citroën AX that didn't make it to production, after negative reactions in focus groups.^[5]

Production

The Twingo has been built since its launch in France in 1992 and in Colombia and Uruguay from 1995 to 2008,^[6] 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 is, however, still produced in Colombia by the Sofasa conglomerate for the South American market.^[7][8][9] Total production up to 30 June 2007 was 2,478,648.^[10]

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, 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)

• 

  The 1982 FSM Beskid 106, the first real Twingo - ten years before

• 

  The 1982 FSM Beskid 106, the first real Twingo - ten years before

Second generation (2007–present)

Twingo II

Production	2007–present
Assembly	Novo Mesto, Slovenia
Platform	Renault Clio II platform
Engine	1.2L D7F I4 petrol 1.2L D4F I4 petrol 1.2L D4FT TCe I4 petrol 1.6L K4M-RS I4 petrol 1.5L K9K I4 diesel
Transmission	5-speed manual, 5-speed automatic transmission
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 Mark II, with significantly improved strength and crash protection.

Production was transferred from France to the Novo Mesto plant in Slovenia (Revoz).^[11]

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,^[12] 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 right hand drive 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.^[13][14]

On 16 March 2011, the Renault Twingo won the "best city car award" in the Parkers' New Car Awards.^[15]

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.^[16]
• 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.^[17]
• 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.^[18]

• 

  Renault Twingo GT with sports tranquilments

• 

  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.^[19]

The new Twingo sports new bumpers as well as a larger Renault badge and redesigned front and rear light clusters.^[20]

Engines

Safety

Twingo I

EuroNCAP results:

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

Twingo II

EuroNCAP results:^[21]

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

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Renault Twingo

• Official Renault Twingo website
• UK Official Renault Twingo microsite

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