2014 Renault Twingo
2014 Renault Twingo
Top Gear’s Richard Hammond has recently revealed his affection for the Twingo, saying that it’s ‘a great little car that is a good candidate for my car of the year’. And it’s not just Hammond who has been impressed by this nippy little city car.
So just what is it about the Twingo that is causing ripples across the industry? We take a look at its best features:
By opting for a rear-engine layout, Renault has managed to create more space inside because the wheels now sit right at the corners of the car. This means that the space between can be optimised for cabin space. Renualt has managed to make the cabin 23cm longer, despite the car being 10cm shorter in length than the old model. There’s more than enough room – the Twingo feels a bit like a tardis once you get inside!
The boot floor is high to accommodate the engine, but this actually makes the boot quite practical, as the lip is flush with the floor. The rear seats and the front passenger seat all fold flat to create a maximum of 219 litres; even more space for those times when you need to cart large items around. In fact, you’d have no problems fitting in a pair of skis or some flat-pack furniture!
The rear-wheel drive has impressed many commentators on the Twingo, with Paul Horrell of Top Gear suggesting that ‘the light nose means it’s super agile down twisty roads’. By putting the engine in the back, Renault has been able to chop of a large section of the bonnet, and still create more room inside.
The Twingo has either a normally-aspirated or turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine, delivering a fuel-efficient and punchy performance. The choice to make the Twingo a rear-wheel drive means it is more agile to drive than ever.
The small size makes the Twingo nice and nippy for urban driving, and by having the engine in the rear, the front wheels are free to turn; in fact, you can steer to a 45-degree angle. This significantly reduces the turning circle to a very impressive 8.9m. With a turning circle this small, you need never worry about parking again! This will be a main selling point as maneuverability and handling are top priorities for city drivers.
The Daily Express was drawn to the Twingo as a result of impressive comfort levels, facilitated by ‘supportive seats’. The interior of the vehicle has also been well designed, with an easy-to-use dashboard and plenty of legroom as a bonus.
The Twingo seats four, like the Fiat 500, but is much more comfortable. There is greater width and unlike the Fiat, the Twingo has rear doors. Renault has tried to maintain the illusion of sportiness by concealing the handles within the window frames.
The new Twingo has been tipped to become just as popular as the Fiat 500 or MINI due to its cute looks and retro styling. Paul Horrell of Top Gear has described the Twingo as ‘a snappy-looking thing’, that displays ‘a genuinely different approach to design’, and we have to agree. The Twingo looks fresh and modern, and offers something new and exciting to city driving.
Personalisation is key in the 2014 Twingo, as Renault has created a range of ‘personalities’ that you can choose from, so you can customise your car to suit your style. These include Retro Racer, Casual Chic, Party, Techno and Urban.
There is a choice of two engines (both petrol):
Both engines are efficient and fun to drive, although surprisingly, the SCe 70 motor actually has a smoother ride, and is more than capable for city driving. Despite this, the 90hp version would be more suitable if you will be doing more motorway driving, and it is also slightly more economical, although both have CO2 emissions of less than 100g/km when fitted with start/stop system.
