Twingo joins Renault Sport stable

It's not unknown for an exuberant young driver to step into a small car with a muscular power-to-weight ratio and promptly 'total' it.

Renault is aiming to reduce that unfortunate incidence by offering a driver training course to buyers of the company's new hot hatch, the Twingo Renault Sport.

Developing 133hp (99kW) of power from a 1.6-litre DOHC engine, the Twingo Renault Sport (more here) is the sort of car that will encourage risky driving practices in the hands of the less experienced -- and Renault's own market research suggests nearly half of all prospective buyers for the car will be under the age of 30.

The Renault Sport Experience, as the course is named, lets young drivers loose on a closed racing circuit and provides advanced driver training for those who need it.

As for the car itself, the Twingo Renault Sport is based on the standard Twingo, but with performance upgrades to make it worthy of the Renault Sport badge. Renault Sport is to Renault what HSV is to Holden and, with the addition of the performance Twingo, now offers three enhanced models, the other two being based on Clio and Megane.

The Twingo Renault Sport is equipped with the aforementioned four-cylinder engine -- which emits 165g/km of CO2 -- 16-inch alloy wheels and a sliding rear bench seat.

Five colours will be offered: Vif Red, Altica Grey, Pearlescent Black, Extreme Blue and Platine Grey. Only Vif Red is a solid colour, the others are all metallic.

In addition to the standard car, Renault Sport is offering a 'Cup' version, fitted with 17-inch alloy wheels in a Dark Anthracite finish and a removable rear seat to reduce weight for track days.

For the French market, Renault Sport will price the Twingo competitively, but many features we take for granted as standard inclusions in Australia will be offered as options. Add those to the standard specification list and the whole exercise starts to look expensive.

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