Take a look at our newest merchandise
Nineteen Nineties retro is in, and there’s extra than simply saggy denims making a comeback.
The brand new Renault Twingo E-Tech is closely impressed by the first-generation Twingo, launched in 1992 as a brand new entry-level metropolis automotive for the French model.
It’s set to be launched in Europe in early 2026, however it’s unclear if the Slovenian-built electrical micro automotive will come Down Beneath. We’ve contacted Renault Australia for remark.
CarExpert can prevent 1000’s on a brand new automotive. Click on right here to get an awesome deal.
Satirically, the unique Twingo was developed as a substitute for the Renault 4, which has additionally been revived as an electrical metropolis automotive.
Renault now has a trio of small electrical autos (EVs) impressed by fashions from a long time previous: the 4, impressed by the unique mannequin that entered manufacturing in 1961; the 5, impressed by the unique that ran from 1972 to 1996; and the Twingo.
The Twingo is essentially the most reasonably priced of the French model’s three compact EVs, none of which has been confirmed for our market, with Renault confirming beginning value under €20,000 (A$35,648) excluding any subsidies – round €5000 lower than the most affordable 5 in France, and €10,000 lower than essentially the most reasonably priced 4.
In contrast to the 4 and 5, the Twingo nameplate by no means actually went away. However the second-generation (2007) mannequin was a conservative redesign, whereas the third-generation made a departure by transferring to a rear/mid-engine, rear-wheel drive platform shared with small automotive specialist Good.
Now, like Good, the fourth-generation Twingo has gone electric-only. It’s primarily based on the brand new AmpR Small EV platform shared with the 4 and 5, although it has been optimised for affordability – for instance, whereas it shares its entrance axle with the 4 and 5, it shares its rear one with the Captur.
First previewed by an idea in 2023, the Twingo E-Tech includes a single electrical motor producing 60kW of energy and 175Nm of torque, leading to a claimed 0-100km/h time of 12.1 seconds.
It’s powered by a 27.5kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery sourced from Chinese language battery large CATL.
Renault says this provides the Twingo E-Tech WLTP vary of as much as 263km. It may be charged at as much as 6.6kW on AC energy, with 11kW AC and 50kW DC charging being elective through an Superior Cost pack.
This additionally brings vehicle-to-load (V2L) and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) functionality, permitting you to energy exterior electrical home equipment and even ship energy to your property.
The Twingo E-Tech measures 3789mm lengthy, 1720mm large and 1491mm tall on a 2493mm wheelbase, making it over 300mm longer and virtually 100mm wider than the unique Twingo, and nonetheless 199mm longer than the earlier era.
Down again, there’s 305 litres of boot area, increasing to over 1000L with the rear seats folded.
Renault lists a base weight for the Twingo E-Tech of simply 1200kg.
In contrast to the unique Twingo, the brand new automotive includes a five-door (as a substitute of three-door) hatchback physique.
It follows the identical one-box template as the unique Twingo, and includes a equally expressive entrance fascia with arched, eye-like headlights. The asymmetrical bonnet particulars are additionally a nod to the unique, as is the large hazard mild button inside.
The Twingo rides on 16-inch wheels, although 18-inch ‘diamond-cut’ alloys are elective.
Renault says that “opposite to well-liked perception, the present dimension of the A section isn’t a mirrored image of low demand”, arguing Europeans are “nonetheless on the lookout for compact, reasonably priced autos, designed for city residing or to be used as a second automotive”; this section has been deserted lately by the likes of Peugeot and Citroen.
The cabin is filled with intelligent touches. The entrance passenger seat folds flat, whereas there are two unbiased sliding seats within the rear, as with the unique Twingo. There are additionally splashes of color, in correct Nineteen Nineties metropolis automotive trend, with rectangular dashboard and door trim components colour-matched to the outside.
The ten-inch touchscreen options Renault’s OpenR infotainment system with Google built-in, permitting homeowners entry to embedded Google apps just like the Google Assistant and Google Maps.
All kinds of apps might be downloaded through the Play Retailer, together with streaming apps like HBO Max.
The Twingo E-Tech additionally includes a digital assistant which you should use to, for instance, schedule a cost and ask proprietor’s guide questions.
The corporate says it developed the Twingo E-Tech to have a carbon footprint 60 per cent smaller than a comparably sized combustion-powered metropolis automotive.
Improvement work was carried out not solely in Europe but in addition on the Renault Group’s R&D centre in Shanghai, China, and thru this cross-functional collaboration it says it shaved a yr off the Twingo E-Tech’s design time.
Renault is holding the Twingo easy: it’ll be supplied in simply 4 physique colors at launch, in contrast with 10 for its predecessor, with patrons ready to decide on between Absolute Pink, Absolute Inexperienced, Mango Yellow and Starry Black.
Commonplace within the base Twingo E-Tech Evolution are the next options:
- 6 airbags
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Driver consideration monitoring
- Lane-keep help
- Rear parking sensors
- 16-inch wheels
- 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster
- 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wired and wi-fi Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- Guide local weather management
- Peak-adjustable driver’s seat
- Individually sliding rear seats
The highest-spec Techno provides:
- Adaptive cruise management with cease/go
- One-pedal drive mode
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Automated high-beam
- Energy-folding exterior mirrors
- Folding entrance passenger seat
- Digital rear-view mirror
- Google built-in
- Automated local weather management
Different out there options embody blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and secure exit warning, plus a six-speaker Arkamys sound system.
The unique Twingo went on sale in 1993 with an lovely animated promoting marketing campaign that highlighted its cute styling, that includes an expressive ‘face’ and wheels pushed out to every nook.
Renault additionally engineered its new metropolis automotive to have a cushty experience and sensible cabin, and employed varied cost-cutting strikes to make the automotive as easy and reasonably priced as potential.
Like the unique, the brand new Twingo slots in underneath the bigger Clio; the newest era of Renault’s Toyota Yaris rival is priced from €19,900 (A$35,468) in Europe.
MORE: Discover the Renault showroom
