Renault 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.[citation needed]
The model is based on the floorpan of the Renault Clio Mark II, with significantly improved strength and crash protection.
Production was 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 in the rest of Europe, including the UK and Ireland, on September 4, 2007. The motoring press in the UK have criticised the new Twingo for being rather unadventurous in style and appearance compared to the original.
The petrol engine is a 1.2-litre unit in three versions, an 8-valve 60 hp (45 kW) naturally aspirated, a 16-valve 75 hp (56 kW) naturally aspirated and a 16-valve 100 hp (70 kW) turbocharged version. The diesel engine is a 1.5-litre 65 hp (48 kW) dCi unit.
Trim levels for the French market starts with the unnamed base model followed by Authentique, Expression, Initiale, Dynamique and GT.
On 31 January 2008 Renault announced the Twingo Renaultsport, with a new 133 hp (100 kW) 1,598 cc engine and Renaultsport styling. Its first public outing was at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show and the first cars were shipped in late 2008.
The second generation Twingo is also available in right hand drive markets such as Japan, Ireland and the UK. Engines available in the UK are the 75 hp (56 kW) in Dynamique trim level and 100 hp (70 kW) petrol units, in GT trim level. A 60 hp (45 kW) engine, in a cheaper Extreme trim level was released in January 2008, and the Renaultsport 133 hp (100 kW) went on sale in September 2008. In February 2009, a new model, called Freeway will be introduced, below the current Extreme model, but with the same 60 hp (45 kW) engine. In summer 2010, the Freeway and Extreme were renamed in the UK markets to the Expression and i-Music respectively; these were given new interiors and changes to some of the exterior, including new rear bumpers and wing mirrors.
On series 14 episode 4 of Top Gear, presenter Jeremy Clarkson did an unusual road test of the Twingo 133 on the streets of Belfast, Northern Ireland. During the segment, Clarkson drove it through a sewage tunnel in an attempt to run it upside down, which he managed to do as part of a barrel roll. After subjecting it to numerous "accidents", he raced the battered car in an attempt to catch a departing ferry, only to crash it into the ocean.
On 16 March 2011, the Renault Twingo won the "best city car award" in the Parkers' New Car Awards.
Special editions
Twingo Renaultsport Gordini: A Twingo Renaultsport with Gordini branding available in Gordini trim level in Pearlescent Black or Malta Blue. Only 200 available in UK markets. Went on sale in the Spring/Summer of 2010.
Twingo Gordini TCe 100: An affordable version of the RS Gordini. The Gordini 100 features the 1.2 TCe engine (as in non-Renaultsport models) and full Gordini branding, available in Pearlescent Black or Malta Blue. This model was introduced in the latter of 2010.
Twingo Bizu: Based on the Authentique (EU)/Expression (UK)) model using the same 1.2 TCe engine. A limited edition trim featuring new front bumpers, Bluetooth and a new headunit/stereo. This model became available early 2011.
Twingo Pzaz: Another special edition in the form of the Authentique (EU)/Expression (UK)) model that features special wheel trims, intelligent front windscreen wipers, a stereo with auxiliary jack for MP3 players and a sports-style front bumper (as seen on the iMusic model). Launched in summer 2011.
Twingo Renaultsport Silverstone GP: A UK-only limited edition. Only 50 of the Twingo RS Silverstone were made. Having good affiliation with Silverstone, Renault developed and introduced the Twingo Renaultsport Silverstone GP model in the summer of 2011. The Silverstone offers an extensive range of features and options that are not available in the standard Twingo RS models including: a lowered cup chassis, 17" alloy wheels, a black spoiler, extra tinted rear windows and a special 'Silverstone GP' badge on the B-pillar.
Twingo Miss Sixty: Only marketed in Europe, the Miss Sixty version of the Twingo was targeted specifically at the female audience. These special edition Twingo's were available in bohemian pink or pearlescent black and sported a pink and black interior to give a sultry glam'rock finish.
The model is based on the floorpan of the Renault Clio Mark II, with significantly improved strength and crash protection.
Production was 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 in the rest of Europe, including the UK and Ireland, on September 4, 2007. The motoring press in the UK have criticised the new Twingo for being rather unadventurous in style and appearance compared to the original.
The petrol engine is a 1.2-litre unit in three versions, an 8-valve 60 hp (45 kW) naturally aspirated, a 16-valve 75 hp (56 kW) naturally aspirated and a 16-valve 100 hp (70 kW) turbocharged version. The diesel engine is a 1.5-litre 65 hp (48 kW) dCi unit.
Trim levels for the French market starts with the unnamed base model followed by Authentique, Expression, Initiale, Dynamique and GT.
On 31 January 2008 Renault announced the Twingo Renaultsport, with a new 133 hp (100 kW) 1,598 cc engine and Renaultsport styling. Its first public outing was at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show and the first cars were shipped in late 2008.
The second generation Twingo is also available in right hand drive markets such as Japan, Ireland and the UK. Engines available in the UK are the 75 hp (56 kW) in Dynamique trim level and 100 hp (70 kW) petrol units, in GT trim level. A 60 hp (45 kW) engine, in a cheaper Extreme trim level was released in January 2008, and the Renaultsport 133 hp (100 kW) went on sale in September 2008. In February 2009, a new model, called Freeway will be introduced, below the current Extreme model, but with the same 60 hp (45 kW) engine. In summer 2010, the Freeway and Extreme were renamed in the UK markets to the Expression and i-Music respectively; these were given new interiors and changes to some of the exterior, including new rear bumpers and wing mirrors.
On series 14 episode 4 of Top Gear, presenter Jeremy Clarkson did an unusual road test of the Twingo 133 on the streets of Belfast, Northern Ireland. During the segment, Clarkson drove it through a sewage tunnel in an attempt to run it upside down, which he managed to do as part of a barrel roll. After subjecting it to numerous "accidents", he raced the battered car in an attempt to catch a departing ferry, only to crash it into the ocean.
On 16 March 2011, the Renault Twingo won the "best city car award" in the Parkers' New Car Awards.
Special editions
Twingo Renaultsport Gordini: A Twingo Renaultsport with Gordini branding available in Gordini trim level in Pearlescent Black or Malta Blue. Only 200 available in UK markets. Went on sale in the Spring/Summer of 2010.
Twingo Gordini TCe 100: An affordable version of the RS Gordini. The Gordini 100 features the 1.2 TCe engine (as in non-Renaultsport models) and full Gordini branding, available in Pearlescent Black or Malta Blue. This model was introduced in the latter of 2010.
Twingo Bizu: Based on the Authentique (EU)/Expression (UK)) model using the same 1.2 TCe engine. A limited edition trim featuring new front bumpers, Bluetooth and a new headunit/stereo. This model became available early 2011.
Twingo Pzaz: Another special edition in the form of the Authentique (EU)/Expression (UK)) model that features special wheel trims, intelligent front windscreen wipers, a stereo with auxiliary jack for MP3 players and a sports-style front bumper (as seen on the iMusic model). Launched in summer 2011.
Twingo Renaultsport Silverstone GP: A UK-only limited edition. Only 50 of the Twingo RS Silverstone were made. Having good affiliation with Silverstone, Renault developed and introduced the Twingo Renaultsport Silverstone GP model in the summer of 2011. The Silverstone offers an extensive range of features and options that are not available in the standard Twingo RS models including: a lowered cup chassis, 17" alloy wheels, a black spoiler, extra tinted rear windows and a special 'Silverstone GP' badge on the B-pillar.
Twingo Miss Sixty: Only marketed in Europe, the Miss Sixty version of the Twingo was targeted specifically at the female audience. These special edition Twingo's were available in bohemian pink or pearlescent black and sported a pink and black interior to give a sultry glam'rock finish.