Renault Twingo MKI (1993-2007)
The Twingo was, believe it or not, the replacement for the Renault 4, which had enjoyed an incredible 31year run. These were big shoes for the little car to fill.
As a result, the Twingo was marketed first and foremost as basic transport, with optional features carried over from the R4 such as a folding canvas roof. Otherwise, though, there was just one trim level and four solid colours to choose from – red, yellow, green and blue. Power came from a 1.0-litre 60bhp engine, which gave adequate performance but only if you wrung its neck. Anyone who has ever travelled through Paris at rush hour will know that this really isn’t an issue…
Other neat Twingo features included a sliding rear seat, allowing the owner to choose between increased boot space or rear legroom, a parcel shelf that attached to the tailgate itself rather than the inner boot trim and a one-piece dashboard with a distinctive digital display, which is alleged to be one of the main reasons why the first-generation Twingo was never offered in right-hand drive markets. While altering the design mechanically wasn’t unfeasible, the cost of making a mirror-image dash moulding was considered too great for the market opportunity.
The Twingo was an instant hit, with 2.6 million MKI models sold despite being limited to left-hand-drive markets. Indeed, such was its popularity that Renault soon increased the range, with a number of special editions and new colours and trims. Unlike the R4, the Twingo was instantly fashionable – there was even a leathertrimmed ‘Initiale’ model launched at the time of its 1997 mid-life facelift. A punchier 1.2-litre 75bhp engine followed in 2000, taken straight from the Clio, which made the Twingo feel very peppy indeed. Apart from the starboard steering wheel, the first thing you notice about the Twingo is how big it feels inside – the plainness of the dash, matched to the stubby bonnet and deep windscreen, gives the cabin an aura of space and light. It’s the most spacious car here, with plenty of driver’s seat adjustment and good leg and shoulder room. It’s fun to drive, too. Not as sharp as the Ka, nor as engaging for the driver, but a decent steer nonetheless, with a surprisingly refined cabin. If Renault had made the Twingo in RHD form, you can’t help but think that it would have been a big success over here, too.