![]() Moreover, the engine was boosted by 5hp to reach 60hp. 1996: Launch of the limited-edition Twingo ‘Benetton’ and Twingo’Matic versions, fitted with anĪutomatic three-speed gearbox.1994: Launch of Twingo Easy equipped with a manual gearbox but no clutch pedal.At the end of the journey, the car was painted by an Aboriginal artist. 1994: A Frenchman covered 240,000km in a Twingo across the harsh Australian outback, demonstrating the reliability of this car whose talents were not restricted merely to city motoring.March 1993: Commercial launch of Twingo, following a preview several months earlier at the Paris Motorshow.The design of the dashboard guaranteed perfect visibility and married simplicity, functionality (with the centre console) and a touch of humour with its hazard warning lights switch shaped like a clown’s nose. It boasted its own distinct personality, with a curvy, rounded exterior design that expressed strength and beauty with an almost human face. Twingo was not a downsized version of Renault Espace. People appropriated Twingo for their own desires and invented a lifestyle that went with it. The deliberate polar opposite of a status-enhancing vehicle, it inspired a new type of consumption: people bought a Twingo for themselves, not to impress others. ![]() Twingo saw Renault take a totally fresh stance on the automobile. The moniker Twingo – a blend of ‘Twist’, ‘Swing’ and ‘Tango’ – was emblematic of the unusual, dynamic and aesthetically-pleasing design of this vehicle which exuded optimism and joie de vivre. The advertising slogan “It’s up to you to invent a lifestyle that goes with Twingo!” accompanied the launch of Twingo, dubbed by some as the ‘Frog from Billancourt’. ![]() At the time of its launch, Twingo topped its class in the small city car segment in terms of height, width and knee room – most notably thanks to its innovative sliding rear seat.Īll four seats could in fact be folded flat to create an impromptu double bed – a unique offering in its field that immediately underscored Twingo’s smart design and versatility. These attributes enabled the interior space to be optimised. The wheels were pushed right out to the four corners of the vehicle and there was just one wheel size and a single engine. Twingo featured a monobox architecture which permitted a better distribution of space between the engine compartment and cabin. Only two options could be specified: a folding canvas roof and climate control. Twingo was presented with four different body colour choices: Outremer, Corail, Coriandre and Indien Yellow. Unlike the diverse model ranges marketed many of its competitors, Twingo was unique inasmuch as it was available in a single version, with just one 1.2-litre, 55hp engine and one interior trim level which featured electric windows and apple green control stalks. ![]() To achieve that, the only solution was to take a completely different approach with the aim of making life easier… Strip out the superfluous and replace it with unique innovations such as the sliding rear seat. Twingo’s conception was dictated by the ‘design to cost’ philosophy and the team’s mission was to propose a compact car, with pioneering, attractive styling at a reasonable price. In 1989, Renault asked project director Yves Dubreil to come up with a small car that was compact, practical, economical and comfortable – but not a direct rival to its big sister, Clio. Also check our exclusive design story published back in 2007.
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