GOODWOOD - Renault engineers had a challenge making the Twingo GT a great handling car, after all others were FWD

• Making full use of its rear-engine design, Twingo GT has been honed for driving enjoyment.
• Precise, comfortable and fun to drive, it offers affordable pleasure behind the wheel, in keeping with the tradition of the GTs designed by Renault Sport.
• Twingo GT is powered by a 110hp TCe turbo engine, developing 170Nm of torque.
• To take advantage of this additional performance in complete safety, Twingo GT's chassis features revised suspension, specific ESC settings and variable ratio power steering.
• Inspired by the Twin’Run concept car, Twingo GT is easily recognisable thanks to its 17-inch wheels, lateral air intake and twin exhaust pipes.
• Twingo GT will debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on 23-26 June.
• Twingo GT will be available to order in the UK this winter.

A GT… and a bit more besides

Over the last twenty years or so, Renault Sport has developed unique expertise in making sports cars. The various R.S. and GT versions of Twingo, Clio and Mégane have all been front-wheel drive cars. With the third generation of Twingo, the engineers were faced with a different challenge.

“It was a real challenge for Renault Sport to work on a rear-engine car since the handling of a rear-wheel drive car is very different from that to which we are accustomed. We had to tackle this issue head on, as it were, and I think we have risen to the challenge brilliantly! Twingo GT is a balanced car, fun to drive and offers performance levels that are very close to those provided by a second generation Twingo R.S.”

Patrice Ratti – Managing Director, Renault Sport Cars

A breath of fresh air for the engine

Whilst sharing its structural design with some of Renault Sport's most famous sports cars – like the R5 Turbo or the Clio V6 – Twingo remains a small city car that has precise handling and is surprisingly roomy. Nestled between the rear wheels, and tilted at 49 degrees to increase its compactness, the three-cylinder engine takes up all of the available space.

For Twingo GT, the Renault Sport engine designers therefore worked on optimising the most powerful base, i.e. the 898cc TCe engine.

One of Twingo GT's distinctive features is the air intake on the rear left-hand wing, which replaces the air intake that was originally located above the wheel arch. This modification is essential in improving engine performance, since it reduces the temperature of the air entering the turbocharger by some 12 per cent. Combined with an upper section duct, this dynamic intake also helps increase the flow rate of combustive air by 23 per cent.

In order to take advantage of this blast of fresh air, the turbocharger's rotation speed has been increased. The fuel pump has been specifically-designed to increase the flow rate accordingly and the same applies to the water pump, in order to improve cooling of the powertrain.

The exhaust system has also been specially-designed, with revised calibration of the air flow and back pressure, and is fitted with a twin-exhaust silencer.

With the modified engine mapping, the power has been extended to 110hp, whilst peak torque stands at 170Nm.

The sprightly, sporty feel is completed with a revised ratio five-speed manual gearbox.

A highly-responsive, sensitive accelerator pedal

The link between the driver and car, as well as the engine and the reactions of the chassis, Twingo GT's accelerator pedal benefits from the development work done for Mégane R.S. The mapping of the pedal delivers lively acceleration with rapid throttle response. And when you take your foot off the accelerator, the dynamic settings limit the feeling of inertia. The driver's needs are accounted for, whilst also improving driving pleasure and comfort. Twingo GT can be used in two modes: Normal and Eco.

A precise and comfortable chassis

Like the engine, the chassis remains very close to the initial structural design. It has nonetheless been specifically fine-tuned by the Renault Sport teams.

New shock absorbers have been combined with original springs, but with an increased calibration. The anti-roll bar has also been replaced with a larger diameter version. Featuring a 20mm lower ride height than Twingo and the Twin’Run’s 17-inch rims – fitted with Yokohama BluEarth tyres – Twingo GT sits firmly on its wheels.

Changes have also been made to the car's electronics, with revised calibration of the ESC. "Without reducing safety in any way, we have focused on improving traction during sporty driving, whilst integrating the new characteristics of the chassis and tyres," explained Matthieu Métivier, Chief Engineer for Twingo GT. "In practical terms, drivers that hit the accelerator pedal on exiting a tight corner will feel a slight drift before the ESC corrects the trajectory without cutting speed dramatically. This means you enjoy typical rear-wheel drive handling."

Twingo GT fine-tuning was performed by Renault Sport test drivers, who work on all of the R.S. and GT ranges.

Always heading in the right direction

Twingo GT comes with variable ratio power-assisted steering, a first in the sports city car segment. Firm around the centre position, it has several characteristics depending on the speed and type of corner, combining steering precision and handling. For example, you need to turn the steering wheel 18° in order to turn the wheels 1° on the motorway, compared with 13° on city-centre roads. With a turning circle of just 4.30m, Twingo GT is the champion when it comes to tricky manoeuvres and parking. It needs a metre less than most of its competitors to perform a U-turn.

The car is a pleasure to drive as soon as you set off

Twingo GT boasts an excellent weight-to-power ratio of 8.5kg/hp, compared with the 9.8kg/hp of Twingo II GT. This saving results in some stunning performance levels, which are even close to those of the previous generation Twingo Renault Sport 133.

Capable of going from 0 to 62mph in less than ten seconds, Twingo GT sets a new benchmark among small sports city cars. Pick-up is also among the best in its category, with 50-75mph achieved in less than nine seconds. More than enough to slip through the traffic without difficulty. Delivering crisp acceleration in all gears, the engine is effective in every situation.

Thanks to its robust chassis, Twingo GT offers driving precision, instilling a great deal of confidence in drivers. Similar to Twingo II R.S., Twingo GT's body-roll control enables higher cornering speeds to be achieved with a sense of ease and comfort.

“With Twingo GT, it's about enjoyment above all else. Fine-tuned by Renault Sport, the rear-engine design delivers a really fun car to drive and the acceleration and sprightly chassis are sure to put a smile on your face. Like the other GTs in the Renault Sport range, comfort, affordability and safety complement the overall consistency of the vehicle.”

Benjamin Manceau – Product Manager, Twingo GT

A design inspired by the Twin’Run concept car

Even before getting behind the wheel, Twingo GT procures a sense of excitement at first glance. Thanks to its 17-inch wheel rims and reduced ride height, the very full wheel arches create visual harmony with a decidedly sporty feel.

The design of the light alloy wheel rims is taken from Twin’Run, the concept car that was the design inspiration for Twingo.

The other distinctive components are the lateral air intake, the rear bumper diffuser – redesigned to incorporate the twin exhaust pipe – and the Renault Sport markings on the side and rear of the car.

Unveiled in a new Blaze Orange paintwork, Twingo GT is also available in Lunar Grey, Diamond Black and Crystal White.

“Twingo is, to some extent, the cheeky little monkey of the Renault family. For this free spirit, we didn't want to apply the iconic blue paintwork seen on other GT models. Twingo GT doesn't play by the same rules. It likes surprises and that includes its funky Blaze Orange paintwork.”

Mario Polla – Twingo Design Project Manager

Starting on the bonnet and extending the length of the roof, the NACA aircraft-inspired stripes – which echo the aerodynamic form of the famous air intakes – are another nod to Twin’Run. The decoration is black on the Blaze Orange paintwork, and orange on the other bodywork colours.

The colour scheme of the passenger compartment is consistent with the exterior. Orange trim details brighten up the bi-material leather-fabric upholstery, the centre position on the steering wheel, the air vents and the base of the gear lever. Twingo GT also has Renault Sport-badged door sills, aluminium pedals and an alloy gear lever knob.

Technical specifications

ENGINE
Engine	TCe 110 Stop & Start
Number of cylinders and valves	3/12
Capacity (cc)	898
Maximum power kW (hp) EEC	80 (109)
Maximum power speed (rpm)	5,750rpm
Maximum torque Nm (m.kg) EEC	170 (17.3)
Maximum torque speed (rpm)	2,000rpm
GEARBOX
Type	Manual
Number of forward gears	5
STEERING
Type	Variable ratio power-assisted steering
Full-lock turning circle radius (m)	4.30
Wheels and tyres
Wheels (")	Twin’Run 17-inch light alloy
Tyres	Yokohama BluEarth 185/45 R17 78H (front) and 205/40 R17 80H (rear)
EXTERIOR
Bodywork	GT Pack with front and lateral skirting, wing flares and rear diffuser
Exhaust	Twin exhaust with chrome-finish pipes
Decoration	NACA aircraft-inspired stripes on the bonnet and roof Exterior Sport Pack in Orange or Black (exterior graphics and lateral sport stripes) Renault Sport and GT markings on the doors and tailgate

Renault to use the Goodwood Festival Of Speed as it's World Debut for the new Renault Twingo GT

• The combination of a 110hp petrol engine, a manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive sees Renault propose an unprecedented package in the small city car class: the Twingo GT
• The Twingo GT’s sporty look draws its inspiration from the Twin’Run concept car
• The Twingo GT will make its world debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, West Sussex, England, June 23-26

More power for added driving enjoyment

The new Twingo GT combines the inherent agility of Renault’s rear-wheel drive city car with Renault Sport’s expertise to deliver even more driving pleasure. Its 898cc Energy TCe turbo engine has been tuned to deliver 110 horsepower and 170Nm torque thanks to a revised air intake system and modified engine mapping, while different gearing further contributes to the new car’s sprightly, free-revving performance.

In order to take advantage of this performance boost in total safety, the Twingo GT’s chassis features revised suspension, specific ESP calibration and variable-rate steering. The result is sharp handling and responsive steering feedback for precise cornering and outstanding road holding. These features combine to provide drivers of the Twingo GT with affordable pleasure behind the wheel.

Look inspired by the Twin’Run concept car

Easily recognisable thanks to its 17-inch wheels, lateral air intakes, twin exhaust tail pipe and new orange body colour, the Twingo GT’s sporty credentials and heritage are visible at first glance. The Twingo III’s lines, which drew their inspiration from the Twin’Run concept car, combine perfectly with the Twingo GT’s specific wheel design, NACA aircraft graphics – a tribute to the wings of the famous American plane – and lowered ride height to produce a head-turning look.

The Twingo GT comes in a choice of four colours, namely the new orange, Lunar Grey, Diamond Black and Crystal White, along with orange trim details in the cabin, Renault Sport-badged doorsills, aluminium pedals and an alloy gear lever knob.

The Twingo GT will be available in the UK this winter.

Renault's new Twingo ready to order, this time is it going to be a big hit in the UK.

• All-new third-generation model
• Rear-engined, rear wheel drive and five doors – all Twingo firsts
• More compact, more spacious, more agile and more nimble
• Three trim levels with a huge range of personalisation
• Innovative new R & GO^® smartphone connectivity system
• 4 year warranty, roadside cover and servicing – Renault 4+
• Available to order now.  Customer deliveries from late September

The third-generation Renault Twingo may have a familiar name and the same pert and fun-to-drive qualities of its predecessors, but links with the past stop there. In every other respect it’s all-new and radically different, introducing a number of firsts for the model – a rear-mounted engine, rear-wheel drive and five doors.

In spirit and character it echoes the much-loved original Twingo of 1993 and the Renault 5 before that, but with its new layout and more practical body style it is very much a car for 21^st-century cities – compact, nimble, efficient, safe and fully connected to the outside world.

The two new engines on offer bring substantial improvements in fuel economy and emissions compared with the previous model, culminating in the 67.3 mpg and 95 g/km of CO₂ for the 1.0-litre Dynamique SCe 70 model with Stop & Start. This means the car can travel 14 miles further on every gallon of fuel while emitting 35 g/km less CO₂.

The All-New Twingo is a clean-sheet-of-paper car which takes into account all the joys and stresses of living and driving in the cities it was primarily designed for. It is shorter and easier to park than its predecessor, more agile and greater fun to drive, more manoeuvrable with better all-round visibility, and simpler to get in and out of. And it exhibits substantial improvements in quality.

“The All-New Twingo rounds off the renewal of Renault’s small-car range. As a means to win over new customers, the stakes for the brand are as high as they were for the model’s predecessors. Putting the engine at the back is an ingenious concept, just as the original Twingo was. It is still small on the outside and big on the inside, but it now comes with a choice of two connected systems that ease driving in built-up areas, on top of its peerless manoeuvrability and agility.”

Ali  Kassaï, Vice President, Small Car Programmes

The advantages of a rear engine

By mounting the engine at the rear, cars can be made shorter, which in turn means they fit into smaller parking spaces and are more nimble when nipping through traffic. The potential downside is that a rear-mounted engine can steal boot space, while people brought up on front-wheel-drive cars might worry about the handling implications and the consequences of being hit from behind.

Renault’s engineers and designers have overcome these obstacles ingeniously. The engine is mounted at an angle of 49 degrees so that it does not intrude into the boot, and in a rear-end collision it is pushed beneath the passenger cell. Fifty per cent of the engine parts have been redesigned so that the power unit takes up 15 cm less space than if it had been mounted vertically. Meanwhile, Electronic Stability Control overcomes any possibility of a rear-wheel skid in slippery conditions.

The All-New Twingo’s compact overall length and short overhangs endow it with a best-in-class turning circle of only 8.59 metres, aided by front wheels which turn 45 degrees. This outstanding agility makes the All-New Twingo much easier than the majority of cars to manoeuvre into kerbside parking spaces or end-on parking bays. The range-topping Dynamique TCe 90 model also has Variable Gear Ratio steering requiring one-half turn less of the steering wheel compared to the SCe 70.

With its new layout, the third-generation Twingo is 10 cm shorter than its predecessor at 3.59 metres long, but has a 12 cm longer wheelbase (2.49 metres) and 33 cm more room in the four-seat cabin.

The capacity of the boot is 188 litres, but the rear seat-backs can be set in a ‘cargo’ position at 90° which increases the boot volume to 219 litres, while still safely carrying 2 passengers in the back. With the 50:50 split-folding rear seats lowered, the boot volume is increased to 980 litres.  All versions feature a folding front passenger seat as standard – a unique offering in Twingo’s class. With the front seat lowered the All-New Twingo’s cabin is long enough to allow a flat-pack Swedish book case or a double bass to be carried. There is also 52 litres of personal storage space within the cabin.

In 2008, Renault’s engineers and designers started from a clean sheet of paper as they set out to create the next-generation Twingo. It was a challenging mission but they set their sights high, in keeping with the philosophy behind the iconic original which symbolised both Renault’s spirit of creativity and its ability to come up with game-changing concepts. Despite the newcomer’s smaller footprint, the aim was to produce an even roomier and more agile city car than the current Twingo, and this is how the idea of switching to a rear-mounted engine took form.

Renault’s thoughts found an echo in those of Daimler which was also in the process of exploring ideas for the next-generation two- and four-seat versions of the Smart. In April 2010, a strategic cooperation agreement was signed by the two firms, marking the official green light for a joint development programme which promised a wealth of synergies.

Ultra-efficient engines

In keeping with the downsizing of the new Twingo, Renault has taken the opportunity to downsize the engines with a range of ultra-efficient three-cylinder 12-valve units. An all-new naturally aspirated SCe 70 1.0-litre Renault engine powers all but one model in the line-up. This delivers 70 hp at 6,000 rpm and 91 Nm of torque at 2,850 rpm, giving 0-62 mph acceleration in 14.5 seconds with a top speed of 94 mph. In the Dynamique SCe 70 with Stop & Start model, official fuel economy is 67.3 mpg, with CO₂ emissions of 95 g/km. The Expression and Play SCe 70 versions, without Stop & Start, are capable of 62.8 mpg, while CO₂emissions are 105 g/km.

Renault also offers a Dynamique TCe 90 version at the top of the range, powered by a 0.9-litre turbocharged engine developing 90 hp at 5,500 rpm and 135 Nm of torque at 2,500 rpm – sufficient for 0-62 mph acceleration in 10.8 seconds and a top speed of 103 mph. Yet with Stop & Start as standard, this engine is also extremely efficient, recording an official 65.7 mpg, with CO₂ emissions of just 99 g/km. Significantly, all three engines are capable of exceeding 50 mpg in city use.

All versions of the All-New Twingo have MacPherson struts at the front and a De Dion torsion beam rear axle, giving balanced handling without the necessity to make the car overly stiff. The All-New Twingo therefore delivers alert handling with a compliant, comfortable ride.

A rich heritage of small cars

The All-New Twingo maintains Renault’s illustrious record for creating outstanding small cars. Its design embodies the ‘play’ petal of the company’s ‘flower of life’ design strategy and incorporates aspects of the 2013 Twin’Run and Twin’Z concept cars.

The expressive front end reflects the playful, fun-to-drive character of the car and features Renault’s familiar design cues, including a bold version of the company logo set into a black background. The creased bonnet folds over headlights topped by indicators which resemble eyelids, the round daytime running lights are in the form of four luminous points and there is a broad lower air intake emphasising the car’s stance.  At the rear, wide shoulders stretching from the sides are a throwback to those on the Renault 5 Turbo. Disguised rear door handles lend the car a two door appearance.

The interior is characterised by a commanding driving position offering outstanding all-round visibility and a sporty cowling and steering wheel in an uncluttered dash design. The standard interior colour scheme is Java Grey upholstery with white dashboard embellishments, but Java Blue and Java Red finishes are also available, depending on model and exterior body colour, and there is the option of a Sport Pack for the Dynamique TCe 90. They are just part of a wide range of personalisation options and packages.

Connectivity is standard in the car through the new smartphone-operated R & GO^®system. Thanks to the radio, a universal cradle and a clever, free-to-download app, owners benefit from intuitive access to a variety of navigation, telephone, multimedia and trip computer functions. The navigation is provided by CoPilot and the maps are downloaded onto the smartphone, meaning that the driver does not use up their data allowance whilst driving. 

The Dynamique version offers the option of the tablet-style R-Link multimedia system with a seven-inch touch-screen, voice control, DAB radio, TomTom^®navigation, Bluetooth^®and 3D sound by Arkamys as well as including a rear parking camera.

All versions of All-New Twingo come with body-coloured bumpers, door handles and exterior door mirror shells, a rear spoiler and LED daytime running lights.  Comfort and convenience are provided with electric power steering, electric front windows, remote central locking, a speed limiter, a height-adjustable steering wheel, a trip computer and gearchange indicator, a lane-change function for the indicators and the automatic activation of the rear screen wiper when reverse gear is selected. 

Practicality is ensured by the unique-in-segment folding front passenger seat and a split-folding two-seat rear bench as well as numerous cabin storage areas, three cupholders and a boot light.  The safety equipment includes Electronic Stability Control, Hill Start Assist, Emergency Brake Assist and four airbags as well as front and rear headrests and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System.

The Play version adds to that core equipment with air conditioning, a height-adjustable driver’s seat and steering wheel, and 15-inch black two-tone wheel trims in place of the grey ones with Expression.

Dynamique versions add 15-inch alloy wheels, pinstripe shoulder-line decals, front foglamps, electric heated door mirrors, cruise control, a lane departure warning system, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gearshift knob, white instrument backlighting, a folding key and storage pockets in the rear doors.

Dynamique versions also benefit from Stop & Start engines that cut emissions and improve fuel economy.  The Dynamique TCe 90 is fitted with Variable Gear Ratio power-assisted steering, making the vehicle more agile and reactive at lower speeds.

Key options, depending on model, are an electric fabric panoramic sunroof, rear parking sensors, a premium sound system and the Seat, Techno, Convenience, Sport and Personality packs which offer themed items of extra equipment at lower prices than if bought individually.

As with all new Renaults, All-New Twingo is covered by a four-year warranty which offers unlimited-mileage cover in the first two years and then two further years of protection up to 100,000 miles.  Four years roadside assistance cover is provided.  And, when bought on Renault Selections Finance, four years (or 48,000 miles) servicing is also included.  Alternatively, a four year servicing package can be purchased separately.

Servicing is required only once a year or every 12,500 miles. The timing chain is maintenance-free which helps to reduce servicing costs.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Model	Power (hp @ rpm)	Torque (Nm @ rpm)	0-62mph (sec)	Top speed (mph)
Expression SCe 70	70 @ 6,000	91 @ 2,850	14.5	94
Play SCe 70	70 @ 6,000	91 @ 2,850	14.5	94
Dynamique SCe 70 S&S	70 @ 6,000	91 @ 2,850	14.5	94
Dynamique ENERGY TCe 90 S&S	90 @ 5,500	135 @ 2,500	10.8	103

OWNERSHIP INFORMATION

Model	MPG	CO2 (g/km)	BIK (band %)	VED (band)	Insurance group
Expression SCe 70	62.8	105	14%	B	2
Play SCe 70	62.8	105	14%	B	3
Dynamique SCe 70 S&S	67.3	95	12%	A	3
Dynamique ENERGY TCe 90 S&S	65.7	99	12%	A	8