Twingo goes rear-drive

Renault has unveiled first details of its third-generation Twingo city car – and in a major departure from the small, light and micro car norm, it is rear-engined and rear drive.

Renault says the new Twingo takes its inspiration from the classic Renault 5, but a key factor in the layout and dimensions of the new Twingo is the car with which it will share its platform and major mechanicals – the next-generation Smart. On understanding of this, all of a sudden the rear-mounted mechanicals makes sense.

“Positioning the engine at the rear is a significant plus for a small city car since it frees up the front end and considerably improves the turning circle,” Renault’s sparsely-detailed press release states.

“Combined with the use of a smaller [engine] block and the positioning of the wheels at the car’s extreme corners, the rear-mounted engine also frees up extra cabin space,” it stated.

Renault claims the New Twingo boasts “the sort of wheelbase and roomy interior more generally associated with models in the next segment up”.

To make its show debut at next month’s Geneva Motor Show (where the interior will be seen for the first time), the Twingo has arrived initially as a smartly-styled five-door hatch. Standout features in the mini-car class include integrated handles for the rear doors and a VW up! Or Volvo C30-style all-glass rear hatch.

Renault 5 styling cues include the rake of the car’s rear screen and “prominent shoulders which are redolent of the rear-engined Renault 5 Turbo”. There’s no doubting, it’s a smart, modern-looking car.

Renault has already displayed the wild three-door Twin’Run concept in the lead up to this reveal. It’s not clear whether both three and five-door variants will make it to production, however, demand for an RS version of the mini-car would likely be strong across Europe adding justification for the second body style.

Not surprisingly, Renault is featuring a vibrant but limited colour palette for the new city car. At launch, it says, the Twingo will be offered in a choice of “four vibrant ‘pop’ colours”: light blue, white, yellow and red.

Details on the mechanicals and performance of the new Twingo are still yet to be released. We can, however, confirm Australia is on the likely list of international markets for the car. Indeed, local Renault sources have made no secret that the operation would like to add the model to its local line-up.

“Yes, we want to go there [the super-mini segment],” Renault Australia Managing Director Justin Hocevar told motoring.com.au in May last year.

“This is Renault’s strength. It’s always been Renault’s strength. Light cars have always been something they have succeeded in and always done very well at,” he said.

Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...

Don't forget to register to comment on this article.