Renault has done a wonderful job designing the new Twingo. It does look different to other cars of its size because the proportions are different with that teeny little bonnet. It’s also the first Twingo to have five doors but the handles are cleverly hidden in the window frame.
The cool, funky feel continues inside with a smart cabin trimmed in black and white, though you can add pops of blue or red. It’s smart, uncluttered and modern. There is just one circular cowl housing the speedometer and there is no rev counter on the instrument panel. The driving position is good because you sit high up and it’s a very easy car to get in and out of. Visibility is great all round and the A pillar causes no problems when turning left or right. Great for town driving.
The Twingo is 10cm shorter than its predecessor but the wheelbase has grown by 12cm to make the cabin roomier. It feels bright and airy up front and there is a bit of extra height in the roof over the front of the cabin that benefits front occupants. Legroom is also good for passenger as the glovebox is quite recessed so doesn’t eat into their legroom.
The risk of putting the engine in the rear is that it will use up valuable boot space and for sure the volume is down on the class leaders at just 188 liters. But it’s actually a really usable space with a wide opening, practical shape and a flat, high sill. The rear seats also fold down flat or can be easily fixed in an upright position to increase the load volume to 219 liters though this would make rear passengers uncomfortable.
The short bonnet, and the fact that the engine is in the boot has allowed space to be freed up under the bonnet, which in result enables the front wheels to turn 45 degrees, giving the Twingo the shortest turning circle in the city car class. It is very obvious that the wheels can turn that bit further than most cars. It makes turning and getting out of parking spaces really easy. The steering is also finger light around town.
The new 92hp 0.9-litre engine is perfectly adequate for town with enough pull in the lower gears to feel quick which makes driving the Twingo a fun experience. Take it out of its natural environment, and that tiny engine begins to feel more sluggish. The lack of flexibility in the higher gears will mean plenty of gear changes should you need to pick up speed quickly. There is a surprising amount of grip in those front wheels. Decent steering means that you can take on the corners on those back roads quite enthusiastically. Driving around town its a relatively comfortable car, with a suspension that’s not too soft or not too stiff. Though on rougher rural roads, it feels less sure of itself and a bit skittish.
The motorway is not the ideal environment for a car that touts itself as city car. Driving above 100km/h on a motorway the Twingo is less comfortable to drive. It feels less planted on the road, there’s noticeable wind noise coming into the cabin and the steering lacks a weightiness to make you feel 100% connected to the road.
Engine type: Inline 3 turbo
Fuel Type: Petrol (Gasoline)
Displacement: 0.9 l (898 cm3)
Power: 92 hp @ 5500 rpm.
Torque: 135 Nm (99 lb-ft) @ 2500 rpm.
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Layout: rear engine, rear wheel drive
Top speed: 164 km/h (102 mph)
Curb weight: 857 kg (2109 lbs)
Average fuel consumption: 5.2 l/100 km (45 mpg US / 54 mpg UK)
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