Renaultsport rules out fast Twingo RS

Packaging and the high cost of development has killed off the chance of Renaultsport launching a high performance version of the current Twingo hatchback, according to new reports.

The small, rear-engine, rear-wheel drive range, rivalling the Volkswagen Up, was recently expanded to include a more powerful 81kW/170Nm GT that, it was thought, would pave the way  for an even faster RS version. But that has now been ruled out by Renaultsport boss, Patrice Ratti.

Talking to Autocar, Ratti said a faster RS version was "almost impossible" because of the huge costs involved as it would mean the GT's 0.9-litre turbo three-cylinder petrol engine would need to be completely redesigned to produce the levels of power needed for an RS.

“An RS would need around 150bhp (110kW), which presents all sorts of challenges. There’s not much room for a four-cylinder engine — which would be the cheapest way to get 150bhp.

"To get a three-cylinder engine to 150bhp would mean redesigning the engine, and at that point the project becomes very expensive — probably too much for an A-segment hot hatch.”

Ratti told the British magazine that he hoped buyers looking for a faster Twingo will enjoy the forthcoming GT's right balance of "power, agility and costs" and relish its fun-to-drive nature.

Sadly, those buyers won't include Australians.

Renault Australia has already tried, and failed, to make a business case for bringing the Twingo here back in 2014.

Unfortunately, against the aggressively-priced Mitsubishi Mirage, Renault execs feared the small hatch that was co-developed with smart would seem overpriced. And smart has also been canned for the Australian market.

In Europe, the Twingo GT is expected to go on sale late 2016.