The
origin of Twingo dates back in 1980s, when Renault started
to develop a minivan successor to the R4 model, originally
launched in 1961.
Under the VBG (Véhicule Bas de Gamme) project several
concept vehicles were created (Z in 1981-83, X49 in 1981-82,
X44 in 1983-84 and X45 in 1984-85).
The difficult task was to create a car to be sold for
less than the existing entry-level models (R5,
SuperCinq,
Clio), not
to compete with these ones and to bring back money to
the company.
At a certain point the development of the project - named
W-60 - was arrested.
In
1987, president Raymond Lévy decided to restart
the project, changing its codename into "X-06"
and assigning its direction to Patrick Le Quément
- who had just joined Renault - with a tiny 3,5 billion
Francs ($700 million) budget.
Patrick Le Quément was given the two 1:1 scale
models developed for the former W-60 project, one designed
by Gaston Juchet's team, and the other one designed by
Marcello Gandini.
From
the start, Patrick Quément firmly believed in the
concept: during the following months he developed the
idea of a compact monospace vehicle (following the success
of the Espace) whose exterior and interior styling had
to be carefully crafted to make it a successful icon and
not a simple "carrier".
He gave this task to Jean-Pierre Ploué (exterior)
and Gérard Gauvbry (interior), but he himself decided
the general proportions, with the wheels at the corners
of the car, the large front track - larger than the Clio's
one - and the "froggy" face.
The
final design was frozen in 1988, but even if Raymond Lévy
found it perfect, the car raised controversial comments
within the Company. It is said that a disappointed Patrick
Le Quément sent a note to his Chairman: "The
greatest risk is not to take any risks, and I ask you
to vote for instinctive design against extinctive marketing"
it read. Levy's reply was "I agree".
On
5th October 1992 the Twingo was unveiled at the 1992 Mondial
de l'Automobile in Paris, and it was an instant hit, with
2240 reservation forms signed. Among the original features
of the car were the centrally mounted instrument panel,
the unseen colors and the modular interior with the sliding
rear seat, which could be moved to either increase boot
space or rear seat legroom.
The "Twingo" name was a combination of the terms
"Twist", "Swing" and "Tango"
and put the accent on the fun and active character of
the car.
Since its launch in 1993, the Twingo has undergone three
restylings in 1998, 2000 and 2004 and has been sold in
more than 2.4 million units.
Twingo I (1993-2007)
Characteristics
The
Twingo featured revolutionary features (at the time of launch)
of a centrally-mounted instrument panel, consisting of a
speedometer, fuel gauge and clock, with the odometer and
trip recorder selected by pushing a button on the end of
the steering column stalk. This left just a strip of warning
lights in the area behind the steering wheel. It also had
a sliding rear seat, which could be moved to either increase
boot space or rear seat legroom. The boot parcel shelf was
also unusual in that it was attached to the inside of the
tailgate, and lifted up with the tailgate. It could also
be clipped back against the rear window when not required.
Phase II (1998) and III (2000)
Three
different phases of the first Twingo have been produced.
The first restyling (called Twingo 2) was the most notable.
The lights and indicators were placed behind one glass and
the rear lights have been redesigned too.
The interior was also updated, with new front seats, new
upholstery and a new dashboard with a glove compartment
and yellow details.
Other changes were painted bumpers, 4 new colours (tobago
456, anis 306, bleu ciel 426 and orange 327), double-airbags,
with side airbags in option, a new glass sunroof, radio
remote control on the wheel, 155/70 tyres for all models,
a
stabilizing bar on the rear wheels and bigger wheel hubs
with five spokes.
The
Phase III featured ABS, a passenger airbag and electrical
front windows on every model, totally translucent lights
and fog lamps, new wheel hubs, new seat covers and different
interior themes, inner-door coverings, two can-holders,
new gear knob covering, new translucent red heating controls,
new car audio with extra speakers in the front doors, new
colours (blue vibrato, green vertigo, red cerise, grey boreal)
and new versions (authentique, expression, privilege, initiale).
Technical features
All the first-generation Twingos were equipped with straight-4
petrol engines. Initially available with an 8-valve 1.2-litre
55 hp enginet, it was replaced with an 8-valve 1.1-litre
60 hp unit. A 16-valve 75 hp version was added in 2000.
Many parts (e.g. the JB1 gearbox, brakes, engine) are shared
with other vehicles across the Renault range. The Twingo
has been built since its launch in France, Colombia and
Uruguay from 1999 to 2002. In Colombia is still being assembled
by the Sofasa conglomerate.
Right-hand drive market
When the car was launched, Renault's senior bosses said
that the British market would not want a city car, so Renault
did not produce a right-hand drive version. They were also
concerned that it would take away sales from the recently
launched Clio,
as well as another claim that it would cost too much to
engineer the car to right hand specification to make the
car competitively priced. Later entrants to this market
and their popularity in the United Kingdom, like the Fiat
Cinquecento, Ford Ka and Smart Fortwo, suggest that this
decision was a mistake. However, many LHD Twingos have been
imported from Europe by customers, and all Renault dealers
are able to provide servicing and parts for the vehicle.
Electric version
A battery electric vehicle version was presented at the
international Geneva Motor Show in 2006, that fits Zebra
batteries.
Twingo II (2007-present)
A concept was presented at the 2006 Mondial de l'Automobile.
The production version was presented at the 2007 Geneva
Motor Show after a last minute redesign was ordered, partly
due to the successful launch of the TPCA Peugeot 107/Citroën
C1/Toyota Aygo, which became the new benchmark for city
cars.
Production will be transferred from France to the Novo Mesto
plant in Slovenia (Revoz).
It went on sale in France, Italy and Slovenia on 15 June
2007, and will go on sale in the rest of Europe, including
the UK, in September 2007.
Prices in France will start from 8000€ for the base
model, rising to 16400€ for the Initiale diesel.[5]
The petrol engine is a 1.2-litre unit in three versions,
an 8-valve 60 hp naturally-aspirated, a 16-valve 75 hp naturally-aspirated
and a 16-valve 100 hp turbocharged version. The diesel engine
is a 1.5-litre 65 hp dCi unit.
Trim levels have been announced and will start with the
unnamed base model followed by Authentique, Expression,
Initiale, Dynamique and GT. An RS version is also under
consideration.
It will be also be available in right hand drive for the
first time. Engines available in the UK will be the 75 hp
and 100 hp petrol units, in Dynamique and GT trim levels.
Prices have been announced and will cost from £8,375
for the Dynamique trim and from £9,995 for the GT.
Cheaper trim levels may be introduced by Autumn 2008.
