Renault Twingo

Infobox Automobile


name = Renault Twingo
manufacturer = Renault
production = 1992 - Present
body_style = 3-door hatchback
class = City car
layout = FF layout
designer = Patrick le QuémentInfobox Automobile generation

|

name = First generation
production = 1992-2006
wheelbase = Auto mm|2345|1
length = Auto mm|3430|1
width = Auto mm|1630|1
height = Auto mm|1420|1
weight = from Auto kg|790|0
similar = Fiat Cinquecento
Fiat Seicento
Ford Ka
Peugeot 106

The Renault Twingo is a city car built by French automaker Renault, first presented at the Paris Motor Show in September 1992 and sold in continental European markets from 1993. The second generation Twingo was launched in Summer 2007.

The "Twingo" name is a portmanteau derived from the words "Twist", "Swing" and "Tango"Cite web|url=http://motortorque.askaprice.com/news/auto-0801/twist-swing-and-tango-its-the-new-renault-twingo-.asp|title=Twist, Swing and Tango — it's the new Renault Twingo ] and it is said to denote the "fun and active" "personality" of the car Fact|date=January 2008.

Generation I (1992-2007)

Project

The Twingo was designed under Patrick le Quément, Renault's chief designer. Le Quément's belief was that it was a greater risk for Renault to take no risks at all, having seen its market share suffer from cars such as the Renault 9 and 11. The design of the Twingo resembles that of the 1982 Polish prototype Beskid (car), from which its monobox silhouette is claimed to be derived. [ [http://www.carbodydesign.com/archive/2007/03/21-renault-twingo-i-design-history/ Car Body Design] - Renault Twingo design history] [ [http://www.autohistories.com/beskid/ Auto Histories] - Beskid]

Production

The Twingo has been built since its launch in France in 1992 and in Colombia and Uruguay from 1999 to 2002, [es icon [http://espectador.com/nota.php?idNota=91070 El Espectador] - Interview with Nordex facility president Ernesto Soler] undergoing three intermediate restylings in 1998, 2000 and 2004.

Production of the first generation model ceased at the Flins factory in France on 28th June 2007. It is, however, still produced in Colombia by the Sofasa conglomerate [ [http://www.sofasa.com.co Renault ] ] for the South American market.

Total production up to 30th June 2007 was 2,478,648 [http://www.renault.com/renault_com/en/images/ATLAS_GB-ANIM_tcm1120-657753.pdf]

Characteristics

The Twingo featured revolutionary features (at the time of launch) of a centrally-mounted instrument panel, consisting of a speedometer, fuel gauge and clock, with the odometer and trip recorder selected by pushing a button on the end of the steering column stalk. This left just a strip of warning lights in the area behind the steering wheel. It also had a sliding rear seat, which could be moved to either increase boot space or rear seat legroom. The boot parcel shelf was also unusual in that it was attached to the inside of the tailgate, and lifted up with the tailgate. It could also be clipped back against the rear window when not required.

All the first-generation Twingos were equipped with straight-4 petrol engines. Initially available with an 8-valve 1.2-litre Convert|55|hp|kW|0|abbr=on engine, it was replaced with an 8-valve 1.1-litre Convert|60|hp|kW|0|abbr=on unit. A 16-valve Convert|75|hp|kW|0|abbr=on version was added in 2000.

Many parts (e.g. the JB1 gearbox, brakes, engine) are shared with other vehicles across the Renault range.

Right-hand drive market

When the car was launched, Renault's senior bosses said that the British market would not want a city car, so Renault did not produce a right-hand drive version. They were also concerned that it would take away sales from the recently launched Clio, as well as another claim that it would cost too much to engineer the car to right hand specification to make the car competitively priced. Later entrants to this market and their popularity in the United Kingdom, like the Fiat Cinquecento, Ford Ka and Smart Fortwo, suggest that this decision was a mistake. However, many LHD Twingos have been imported from mainland Europe by customers, and all Renault dealers are able to provide servicing and parts for the vehicle.

Electric version

A battery electric vehicle version was presented at the international Geneva Motor Show in 2006, that fits Zebra batteries.

Timeline

* April 1993 - Launched with only one trim level, and four colours, at a price of 55,000FF.
* June 1994 - New colours introduced and minor interior changes.
* October 1994 - Easy model launched, with a semi automatic gearbox.
* September 1995 - The first of many special edition launched. Airbags are also available.
* July 1996 - New engine of 1149cc from the Clio fitted to replace the previous engine from the Renault 5. Also, various improvements made including the addition of a third brake light.
* July 1998 - First major restyling — revisions to interior and dashboard and revised front and rear lights.
* October 1998 - Top of the range Initiale model launched.
* September 2000 - Second major restyling — Larger 14" wheels, revised door trims with larger door pockets, revised dash with cup holders in front of gearstick.
* December 2000 - 1.2 litre 16v engine launched, with 75hp.
* April 2001 - Semi automatic gearbox launched, called Quickshift.
* September 2002 - Further revisions — new interior trims and wheel covers.
* September 2004 - Third major revision — Renault logo fitted to bootlid, side rubbing strips fitted and new colours launched.
* June 2007 - Production and sales end in France, to be replaced by the Twingo 2.

Generation II (2007-present)

Infobox Automobile generation


name = Second generation
production = 2007-present
wheelbase = Auto mm|2365|1
length = Auto mm|3600|1
width = Auto mm|1655|1
height = Auto mm|1470|1
weight = from Auto kg|1000|0
similar = Citroën C1
Fiat Nuova 500
Fiat Panda
Ford Ka
Peugeot 107

A concept was presented at the 2006 Mondial de l'Automobile. The production version was presented at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show after a last minute redesign was ordered. Fact|date=July 2007

The model is based on the floorpan of the Renault Clio Mark II, with significantly improved strength and crash protection.

Production was transferred from France to the Novo Mesto plant in Slovenia (Revoz).

It went on sale in France, Italy and Slovenia on 15 June 2007, and in the rest of Europe, including the UK, in September 2007. The motoring press in the UK have criticised the new Twingo for being rather unadventurous in style and appearance compared to the original.

The petrol engine is a 1.2-litre unit in three versions, an 8-valve Convert|60|hp|kW|0|abbr=on naturally-aspirated, a 16-valve Convert|75|hp|kW|0|abbr=on naturally-aspirated and a 16-valve Convert|100|hp|kW|-1|abbr=on turbocharged version. The diesel engine is a 1.5-litre Convert|65|hp|kW|0|abbr=on dCi unit.

Trim levels for the French market will start with the un-named base model followed by "Authentique, Expression, Initiale, Dynamique" and "GT".

On 31 January 2008 Renault announced the Twingo Renaultsport [ [http://www.renaultsport.co.uk/roadcars/twingo/ Renaultsport.co.uk - Roadcars - Twingo Renaultsport ] ] , with a new Convert|133|hp|kW|-1|abbr=on 1,598cc engine and Renaultsport styling. Its first public outing will be at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show and the first cars are expected to ship in late 2008.

The second generation Twingo is also available in right hand drive for the first time. Engines available in the UK are the Convert|75|hp|kW|0|abbr=on in "Dynamique" trim level and Convert|100|hp|kW|-1|abbr=on petrol units, in "GT" trim level. A Convert|60|hp|kW|0|abbr=on engine, in a cheaper "Extreme" trim level was released in January 2008, and the Renaultsport Convert|133|hp|kW|-1|abbr=on went on sale in September 2008.

afety

Twingo Generation I
EuroNCAP Results
* Adult Occupant: rating|3|5, score 23
* Pedestrian: rating|2|4, score 11

Twingo Generation II
EuroNCAP Results [ [http://www.euroncap.com/tests/Renault_Twingo_2007/296.aspx Euro NCAP] - Euro NCAP results for 2007 Twingo]

* Adult Occupant: rating|4|5, score 28
* Pedestrian: rating|2|4, score 11

References

External links

* [http://www.renault.com/renault_com/en/main/40_VEHICULES_ET_SERVICES/10_Vehicules/Catalogue/Twingo/index.aspx/ Official Renault Twingo website]
* [http://www.renault.co.uk/twingo/ UK Official Renault Twingo microsite]
* [http://www.renault.co.uk/Productpage_home.aspx?mm=newtwingo Renault Twingo UK product page]
* [http://www.renault.com/renault_com/en/images/13469%2013469_CP_NouvelleTwingo_DEF_GB_tcm1120-574768.pdf Renault New Twingo Press Release]
* [http://www.ivc0707.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=25/ An Israeli Renault Twingo photo album]
* [http://www.twingo.com Twingo reviews, Blogs and Gallery]