A New Era of Fun and Affordability
Youth is often seen as a time when the most exciting experiences are just out of reach. This is because younger people, who are still building their lives and careers, often lack the financial resources to enjoy the more luxurious or thrilling aspects of life. However, as they grow older, they gain the means to experience these things—though by then, the thrill might have faded. Renault’s new Twingo super-mini challenges this notion by making fun and excitement more accessible than ever before.
During my two-day test drive in the vibrant all-electric five-door Twingo on one of the world’s most famous party islands, I found it to be an absolute joy. Despite its small size, it delivers a surprising amount of character and performance that makes it a standout in the compact car market.
The Twingo isn’t large, fast, or flashy, but it has a charm that is hard to ignore. It looks cute, drives well with lively acceleration, and is incredibly nimble around town. Its ability to turn on a sixpence makes it easy to park and maneuver through tight spaces. The interior is bright and youthful, with attention to detail that adds to the overall appeal. The car also brings a smile to your face with its unique design features, such as headlights that resemble smiling eyes and a welcoming light signature upon startup.
Pricing for the Twingo starts from under £20,000, which Renault describes as “affordable but not cheap.” This makes it an attractive option for those looking for a fun and practical vehicle without breaking the bank.
A Party in a Box
Renault chose the Spanish island of Ibiza, known for its vibrant club scene, to launch the Twingo. This choice highlights the car’s fun and chilled-out vibe, making it perfect for those who want to enjoy the nightlife without the hassle of a larger vehicle. During my test drive, I even found myself singing along to Maroon 5 and Christina Aguilera’s “Moves like Jagger” while imagining myself in the Pacha mosh-pit. Whether it was dancing or just “dad dancing,” the Twingo made the experience enjoyable.
In France, the Twingo is affectionately known as “Le Frog.” UK bosses plan to use this nickname in a playful campaign featuring cars in Absolute Green, one of six available colors. The car’s tight turning circle of just 9.87 meters makes it highly manoeuvrable, ideal for city driving. Its compact size of just under 3.8 meters allows it to fit easily into parking spaces, while its 1.7-meter width gives you a good chance of opening the doors once parked.
Design and Innovation
The Twingo’s agility is thanks to its lightweight chassis, which combines elements from the award-winning Renault 5 and the rear of a Captur. This design helps the car perform well in urban environments, where space and flexibility are essential.
The new Twingo is the fourth generation of the super-mini, with over 4.1 million sales in 25 countries since its original launch in 1992. Although the first-generation model was never officially sold in the UK, there are still over 240 personal imports registered with the DVLA.
For the new Twingo, there are two trim levels: Evolution and Techno. The Evolution trim includes features such as sliding individual rear seats, a 7-inch driver display screen, a 10-inch infotainment screen, and cruise control. The Techno trim adds one-pedal driving, a reversing camera, heated seats, and Google built-in with all the trimmings, including access to Renault’s vice-activated virtual assistant called Reno.
Attention to Detail
Inside the Twingo, the interior is simple yet cleverly designed. While the trim may feel a bit plastic, the overall effect is cheerful and not cheap. The attention to detail is impressive, with the lettering for the Twingo name on the passenger dashboard inspired by letters from PlayStation and GameBoy games. The colorful carpets, roof lining, and air vents reflect these playful graphics.
The drive-shifter stalk has a cover inspired by a lipstick holder, which can be personalized. The red hazard warning light button is designed to look like a boiled sweet, adding a touch of whimsy to the car’s design.
Performance and Practicality
The Twingo is powered by a 27.5kWh Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery that enables a compact 60kW (82hp) electric motor. While its acceleration from rest to 62mph is a fairly adequate 12.1 seconds, the sprightly sprint from rest to 31mph in 3.85 seconds gives the car its nippy feel around town. The top speed is governed at 80mph, which is sufficient for most urban and suburban tasks.
The car also offers four levels of regenerative braking set via a switch on the steering wheel stalk. Level 3 is my preferred setting, allowing the car to brake itself while generating electric charge for the battery. The claimed 163-mile range is enough for city trips, shopping runs, and even a journey from London to Sheffield on a single charge.
Space and Flexibility
The Twingo offers 350 litres of boot space, which increases to 1,010 litres with the two rear seats folded flat. There is also 50 litres of underfloor storage accessible via a special flap, even when there’s luggage on top. The two rear independent seats can be moved backwards or forwards by up to 17cm, accommodating both cargo and passengers.
The rear cabin space rivals the segment above, with 160mm of rear kneeroom and 1,305mm shoulder width. The car also includes 19 litres of cabin storage, including a 3.6-litre central console, two 1.8-litre door compartments, a hand-height cubby for phones, and rear seat pockets.
Power to the People
With the potential for energy crises and power cuts, the Twingo offers an additional benefit. Its 11 kW AC/50 kW DC charger allows charging to 80% in just 30 minutes, and its bi-directional vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability means it can power domestic 220V appliances in your house up to 3,700W during a power outage.
One quirk is that there isn’t a specific “Park” mode on the drive stalk, but the car automatically goes into park mode when you take off your seat-belt or open the door. This feature ensures safety and convenience.
Ready for the Road
Despite its many advantages, there is one downside: the UK order books for the right-hand drive version won’t open until Autumn, with first customer deliveries scheduled for January. However, potential customers can sign up for Renault’s “R-Pass” service for £100 to gain priority for ordering and delivery, as well as access to other benefits.
The Twingo faces competition from models like the Fiat 500e, Hyundai Inster, Citroen eC3, and BYD Dolphin Surf. Designed in France and assembled in Novo Mesto, Slovenia, the production cycle was significantly shortened due to input from Chinese EV and battery specialists ACDC.
Renault UK managing director Adam Wood confirmed that the Twingo would cost from “comfortably under £20,000.” He also expressed excitement about launching “Le Frog” in the UK, highlighting the car’s potential to attract private buyers similar to the award-winning Renault R5.
