From concept to prototype the step was \u2013 apparently \u2013 very short. Twingo concept at the Paris Motor Show \u2013 October 2024 \u2013 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, \u201cis now very similar to the definitive Twingo, let\u2019s say 90 percent for the exterior and 80-85 for the interior.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
![\"Renault](\"https:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/2025030402_RenaultTwingo.jpg\")
<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>A Renault\u2019s jewel<\/strong><\/span> Creating vibrant and exciting objects<\/strong><\/span> Small, iconic Mpv<\/strong><\/span>
\nBhambra 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 \u201cwas 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.\u201d In the history of Renault, he adds, \u201cthere are some jewels, and Twingo is an example of them.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\nIt 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: \u201cRenault 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\u2019s about finding a balance, even with some compromises, with simple and economical solutions.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\nObviously, 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. \u201cIn the longer car,\u201d says Bhambra, \u201cthe 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,\u201d Then he adds: \u201cEveryone knew well what a modern interpretation of that icon should be. Finding the right balance was not easy.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>