It is reborn electric and five-door, yet unmistakably Twingo in its shape and cheerful and lively spirit: we tested the new Renault Twingo E-Tech Electric for the first time on the streets of Ibiza, an opportunity to appreciate its pleasant driving even on routes that are not exclusively city. It is precise in steering, efficient in regenerative braking – the “one pedal” function is also available – and reasonably well cushioned for a city car 3.79 meters long and with a wheelbase of 2.49 meters. It offers a single driving mode, but with the possibility of activating the Eco function to further save the already low consumption of the 82 hp engine powered by the LFP battery pack with a capacity of 27.5 kWh.
It immediately catches the eye, and Laurens van den Acker explains why: “At first glance you understand right away that it is a Twingo, the one that everyone has in their hearts: the first generation, with its unmistakable monovolume silhouette, born at a time when Renault was experimenting with new and courageous shapes such as the Scenic and Espace. Bringing that idea to the A-segment was a revolutionary choice, and today that spirit returns in a compact car with balanced proportions, especially with 18″ wheels, and the bold colours such as red, green and yellow enhance its character and presence on the road.”
Looking at it next to the original model, you can immediately recognize that link: it is exactly the image that people associate with the Twingo. Yet, the new version is anything but nostalgic, “it is a different animal, more modern and almost futuristic, capable of looking ahead without losing the soul that made it iconic,” continues the Chief Design Officer of Renault Group, who has his own personal historical relationship with the model: “I remember well when the first Twingo came out in 1992, I was still a student and it was the first time I went to a Renault dealer to test a car. It was a kind of UFO, such an unusual object. Today for me it is a bit like closing a circle.”
So, here is the funniest part of our test: discovering the many design details, from the most obvious to the most hidden, that make this model so captivating and unique in its personality. It starts with the “monospace” silhouette enlivened by the typical “frog eyes”, the protruding arched headlights (a shape also taken up by the charging flap) with a black frame; the rear ones are curious, on which a small fin stands out, “the devil’s little horns”, jokes van den Acker, useful for aerodynamics. The side window seals are hidden, a treatment of considerable refinement on a small economy car, while the rear window with the large frame that also acts as a spoiler is reminiscent of the TV screen of the past.
In the passenger compartment, which can be modulated in space thanks to the two sliding rear seats, the list of well-kept and fun details goes on and on. The dashboard with car-colored insert stands out, a historical yet very modern reference; it is in the same color as the key, also a small design object. On the surfaces – from the roof to the carpets, to the bottom of the storage bin – the characters of the name Twingo break down and reshuffle to become a graphic pattern. It is a very original lettering, made up of symbols that deceive the eye to be read as letters of the alphabet (the G is nothing more than the icon of geolocation).
The container-armrest positioned vertically between the front seats, which opens with a zip like a computer holder, is unexpected. The “lipstick” gear selector (already tested on the recent R5 and R4, the other two “Legendary Icons” created by Renault design) is decorated with colorful graphics. And there is no shortage of messages that welcome users when they open the car: from the writings inserted in the door sills to the slogan mediated by the original Twingo, “À vous d’inventer la vie qui va avec” (invent the life you like), as well as “Ouvert d’esprit” (free spirit), which is discovered by lifting the tailgate. A declaration of intent for a car with an affordable price and all to be interpreted.
