Twingo’s back with a twinkle
THE Renault Twingo has had a mixed history in the UK. The first generation, praised by all who drove it, was never officially on sale here as it was left-hand drive only. The second generation made it to these shores but had lost some of the first version’s quirkiness.
The French firm is now hoping to regain some of the original’s draw with a clever and appealing design.
Renault expects this latest Twingo to sell to two main groups. The younger group, 25 to 35-yearolds, will buy the car primarily for its looks, with its size and ease of use around town a secondary consideration.
The main consideration of the next group, those in their mid-50s, will be the car’s practicality.
The best year for Twingo in the UK was 2010 with 5,614 registrations. With Renault’s total sales currently running 60 per cent up on last year (admittedly from a low base) and with a market share nearing 3 per cent it wouldn’t be hard to see the new car beating the previous record.
If one thing is certain about the that put off some buyers? Perhaps but there’s only a minimal loss of boot space (it boasts 188 litres – eight less than a Citroën C1) though you do lose a spare wheel, there’s a sealant kit instead.
While the performance from the 70bhp engine can hardly be called fast, with a 0 to 60mph time of 14.5 seconds and top speed of 94mph, the car is quick enough to be hustled along around town.
The 90bhp version, however, is substantially quicker with a 0-to-60mph time of 10.8 seconds and a top speed of 103mph. This engine also has a lot more shove and this urgency is developed lower in the car’s rev-range making it more accessible to the driver.
There’s easily enough power for motorway work, something you don’t expect from a car in this class. However, neither version gets a rev counter, something that would be especially useful in the 90bhp car.
Both engines are very efficient, although you have to pick carefully if you want the most frugal version. To get the most efficient Twingo you need to have stop-start technology fitted, only available (and standard) on the Dynamique versions. But pick a 70bhp Dynamique and you’ll get 67.3mpg average fuel economy and with 95g/km emissions the car will also qualify for zero-rated road tax.
This differs from the Expression and Play trim levels which come in at 62.8mpg and band B for road tax, which means paying nothing for the first year and £10 thereafter. The 90bhp Twingo also qualifies for band A road tax thanks to 99g/km emissions and in terms of fuel economy sits between the other two at 65.7mpg.
On the road the Twingo does exactly what you’d expect, delivering a nimble, fun drive that’s also comfortable over potholes and