From concept to prototype the step was – apparently – very short. Twingo concept at the Paris Motor Show – October 2024 – and Twingo prototype already at the Brussels Motor Show, January 2025. Three months. A record? The truth is that the concept was ready almost a year (November 2023) before being presented. But already the following December the decision had been made to start production (in 2026) of this jaunty electric car with a retro taste and therefore work had begun on the prototype which, says Sundeep Bhambra, “is now very similar to the definitive Twingo, let’s say 90 percent for the exterior and 80-85 for the interior.”
A Renault’s jewel
Bhambra is, at Renault, Chief Designer for Advanced Cars and Concept Cars. He is also the designer who won the internal competition – and then developed the project – for this car that wants to be the Renault’s challenge to Chinese manufacturers by presenting itself on the European market under the target price of twenty thousand euros. He candidly admits that his inspiration “was obviously the 1992 Twingo, a unique car in terms of interior space in relation to its size, a type of sustainability that is still valid today, but also nice, graceful and attractive.” In the history of Renault, he adds, “there are some jewels, and Twingo is an example of them.”
Creating vibrant and exciting objects
It was Luca De Meo, CEO of Renault, who wanted this fourth Twingo for the A segment of electric mobility, to be placed alongside the larger R4 and R5 in the EV field. Gilles Vidal, Renault design chief under the guidance of Laurens van den Acker, explains: “Renault wants to democratize EV cars but at the same time create vibrant and exciting objects. We don’t want to run the risk of making banal EVs like washing machines. It’s about finding a balance, even with some compromises, with simple and economical solutions.”
Small, iconic Mpv
Obviously, the dimensions of the new Twingo are different from those of the original. With the batteries under the floor and a B-segment platform, the wheelbase has increased to 2.49 metres, the length from 3.43 to 3.75. “In the longer car,” says Bhambra, “the wheels were too small and we had to bring them to 18 inches because the important thing was to maintain the proportions of what is a small but iconic Mpv,” Then he adds: “Everyone knew well what a modern interpretation of that icon should be. Finding the right balance was not easy.”
A completely new vehicle
From the concept to the prototype, looking at the images, not much has changed. Mistake. “Everything,” says Bhambra, “has changed, starting with the Ampere Small platform. And then the wings, the bumpers, the light clusters, the windows that are now similar to those of the R5, even the lower part of the bodywork that is more sculpted. Not to mention the changes dictated by access to the car.” And the interiors, which were not in the concept. Designed by Interiors Head Stéphane Maoire and executed by Lead Designer Damien Durand, they are different from those designed for cars with the same platform. “New instruments, new dashboard, new seats, new doors. Twingo had a distinct personality, with great modularity thanks to the seats that slide and fold down. This will also be the case in production.” As will certain fun ideas, in the Twingo spirit.
Cleanliness and proportions
“What hasn’t changed – concludes Bhambra – was my wish not to add things: a lot of work on the details and the treatment of the surfaces, but no overdesign, no useless lines. Cleanliness and proportions, soft fenders, headlights that recall those of the old Twingo. The real difficulty was the position of the windshield, leaning very far forward, close to the suspension and the headlights. And yet we managed to keep the nose quite low.” De Meo, he recalls, “wanted an emoji for the city, cute and attractive, but at the same time a good product. Here it is.”
(Full article in A&D no. 271)
