The new Renault Twingo is here and, thankfully, it looks just like the original concept.
Like the Renault 4 and Renault 5, the new Twingo manages to blend iconic retro styling with modern tricks and flicks. The horseshoe-shaped daytime running lights immediately recall the original 1990s Twingo, which was never officially sold in the UK. The shape is soft and curved, and the whole car looks cheerful and friendly.
The Twingo is fully electric, and goes up against the likes of the Hyundai Inster, Dacia Spring, Leapmotor T03 and BYD Dolphin Surf, as well as cheaper superminis such as the Citroen e-C3.
Interior and practicality
Every Twingo features a seven-inch digital driver’s display and a 10-inch touchscreen. The latter includes Renault’s excellent OpenR Link infotainment on the higher-spec Techno trim, which gives you full Google access including Maps – with real-time charging station availability – and a whole range of apps to play with.
Techno trim also gains the Reno voice assistant. Said to have a ‘real personality’, the Reno avatar can carry out demands such as scheduling charging, showing you how to connect your phone via Bluetooth, or suggesting the auto mode for the air conditioning when the windows start fogging up.
The fun continues inside with body-coloured accents and a soundtrack developed in collaboration with famed composer Jean Michel-Jarre.
Like the original Twingo (it seems Renault would rather you forget about more recent models), the new Twingo gets sliding rear seats. The two rear seats are independent, so you can choose to slide one forward to increase boot space without losing legroom in both seats. And, the sliding seat mechanism can be accessed from the rear seats or from the boot. The seats recline, too.
With the seats slid forward, you get 360 litres of boot space. But if you’re going to do that, you might as well flip the seats down completely, which frees up over 1,000 litres. There’s a 50-litre underfloor storage area for stashing away the charging cable, and numerous interior storage zones for small items.
Range, charging and performance
The Twingo only weighs 1,200kg in Evolution trim, so its 82hp motor and 27.5kWh battery should prove more than sufficient. Performance looks to be swift from a standstill: the 0-31mph time is just 3.85 seconds and the 31-62mph time is 8.25 seconds.
The 27.5kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery enables a range of up to 163 miles, which is plenty if you mainly drive around town or are going to use the Twingo as a second car.
When plugged into a home wallbox, a 10-100% charge takes just 4hrs 15 minutes. For longer journeys, you get 50kW DC fast-charging, which gives the industry-standard 10-80% charge in half an hour.
Even with the modest range, the Twingo includes Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality as standard. This lets you power small electricals, such as a coffee machine or camping equipment, from the high-voltage LFP battery.
Both versions of the Twingo let you adjust the level of brake regeneration available, with Techno gaining a full one-pedal driving mode that will bring you a complete stop – great for approaching traffic lights or junctions smoothly.
Price and specifications
Evolution is the cheapest model, yet comes with Apple CarPlay/ Android Auto, cruise control, rear parking sensors, an electric handbrake, auto emergency braking and lane-keep assist.
Techno adds all the features we’ve mentioned throughout this page, as well adaptive cruise control, tinted rear windows, power-folding door mirrors, a reversing camera, auto high-beam assist, auto wipers, six speakers and a folding front passenger seat.
Renault is aiming for a sub-£20,000 starting price, and says that even top versions will have an ‘attractive’ price.
The colour selection includes Absolute Red, Absolute Green and Mango Yellow, as well as black – but a car like this deserves a fun colour.
Despite Renault taking just two years to develop the Twingo, it won’t be on sale until 2027.
Find your dream Renault
As you’ll unfortunately have to wait a while until you can get your hands on a Twingo, why not browse our exciting range of used Renault electric cars for sale? Or read our in-depth Renault reviews.
