New Renaultsport Twingo 133 is the first performance Twingo
The first-generation Renault Twingo was a cheeky chap, although you’d have been lucky to have seen him in the UK. Left-hand drive utility chic, he found many friends in France (Parisians love him) and mainland Europe. Killed off and replace with a newer – and blander – model, his successor might have problems finding friends, with the more attractive Fiat 500 stealing the attractive glances once destined for him.
Not able to go the British Motor Show at Excel this week, the new Twingo’s hotter and pumped-up brother would have caught my admiring glances. And although cooking new Twingo will be more than a little put out, I suspect he won’t mind really, as his tougher brother will bring more new owners into the fold; especially those who lament the demise of the affordable and tiny hot hatchback.
New cooking Twingo thinks that la Regie has covered all bases with his range, and he’d be right. There’s no doubt he’s still a nippy and tuck-in city car, but with butch additions and his company’s hot hatchback genes, his brawny brother could punch above his weight. That was something old Twingo never did. He was a fun, utilitarian and useful small hatchback with good manners; nothing more, and nothing less.
Looks take cues from Renaultsport Clio and Mégane siblings
With a 1.6-litre, 133bhp engine, Renaultsport Twingo 133 can get to 62mph from rest in around 8 seconds, certainly benefiting from his gym workout. While he may be less powerful than his new Italian rival, he doesn’t care. Taking styling cues from his larger Renaultsport Clio and Megane siblings, with blistered wheel arches, 16-inch anthracite alloy wheels, and dark grey body detailing, he looks sharp. His 10mm lowered suspension and wider tracks further ensure that he looks ready for business, and has the potential to be more athletic than his cooking brothers.
He even has orange seatbelts.
His limited bright colour palette further guarantees exclusivity, while he can be specced with either a Sport or Cup chassis. Just like the larger Renaultsport models, Cup is the more extreme personality suitable for keener drivers, and brings with it 17-inch wheels and a removable rear bench seat. That might not sound like much, but when taken out, it saves 20kg. And in the hot tiddler class, where weight is everything, every gram counts. Renaultsport Twingo 133’s diet might just pay off.
Lowered suspension, wider tracks should ensure great handling
So, a keener Twingo for keener drivers, that’s Renaultsport Twingo 133. At a keener price, too. £11,550 is his asking price, which although more expensive than his more sedate brothers, is still inexpensive in the budget hot hatch landscape. And just like the generation before him, he brings cheek back to the Twingo range. He hasn’t yet been thoroughly road tested, but there’s every hope that this new-found cheek extends to his road manners, too. Yoofy hooligans might even adopt him as their new hot hatch hero when he lands on these shores in September.
Who’d have thought it? A leaner and meaner new Twingo with added cheek, and slightly naughty manners…
Tags: Cars