Renault Twingo Concept - The Super Mini Reinvented

Motoring Channel Staff - 29/Sep/2006

Paris, France — The Twingo concept was revealed at the 2006 Paris Show, and represents the next generation super-mini from Renault, measuring just 3.6 metres long and powered by a 1.2-litre turbo engine.

Firmly grounded in a youth culture of sport, music and fashion, the new Twingo concept is powered by the new 73kW (100hp) turbocharged 1.2-litre 16-valve TCE 100 engine, while boasting a number of clever multimedia features.

Its compact, squat volumes and incisive, assertive styling give it plenty of character, while its sports pedigree is apparent in the design of its lively, expressive front end. The well proportioned bumper and motor sport inspired grille hint at the presence of a well-tuned engine committed to performance. 

While still on the topic of the Twingo concept's design, the shape of the indicators in the headlamp modules echoes the chequered flag-based graphics of the bodywork and flow along the car's pearl-blue sides to subtly suggest a sensation of speed. Furthermore, the foglamps are flanked by air intakes which are included to cool the powerful disc brakes.

Riding on 17-inch, dark chrome wheels picked out in Renault yellow, the Twingo concept communicates a punchy, dynamic feel, and the profiled side skirts and front quarter panel extensions emphasise its sporty lines and athletic curves.

At the rear, the chromed twin exhaust tailpipe and air extractor take their inspiration from the Clio Renault Sport, and the new Renault badge nestles on the wide hatch, the lower part of which is flanked by "high-tech" rear lights.

Underneath the short but stylish bonnet is the new small TCE 100 petrol powerplant chosen to power Twingo concept. This 1.2-litre turbocharged engine delivers maximum power of 73kW (100hp) and maximum torque of 145Nm, while its exceptional efficiency combines response, power and environmental-friendliness. As well, the Twingo concept's low fuel consumption is equivalent to CO2 emissions of less than 140g/km – a remarkably low figure for such a powerful performer.

Once inside, the Twingo Concept's high-tech cabin marks a stark contrast with its sporty exterior and takes occupants into a world of mobile sound. As one of the most intriguing interior designs at the 2006 Paris Motor Show, it shows that small doesn't have to mean feeble. The French concept car features a wide panoramic glass sunroof and two pillarless doors to ensure a bright interior that brings out the qualities of its uncluttered, high-tech dashboard, and the cabin's simple and ergonomically effective Touch Design approach is a statement in intuitive understanding.

The Twingo concept from French automaker Renault has found inspiration in youth culture and in its love of music and freedom and the centre console features a USB port as well as sockets for devices like Apple's iPod and the Nokia Smartphone. A mixing deck built into the dashboard is ideal for partying with friends, though interior space may become an issue when gate crashers arrive...

The musical focus is also reflected in the highly visual graphics of the dashboard, the upper part of which features a pattern based on the graphic equalizer bars with which music-lovers are naturally familiar. It is evocative of the bass rhythms that will pound from the door-mounted speakers and contrasts with the matte finish of the lower part of the dashboard. The central part of the dashboard has an analogue speedometer which sits above a massive 15-inch retractable monitor which, for safety reasons, can only be deployed when the car is at a standstill. Behind this screen are all the functions of a computer that permit passengers to log on to the Internet, while a web cam is incorporated into the screen to remain in visual contact with the outside world.

In an assertion of personality and originality, the Twingo concept's interior comes with its own "light show". Strange but true. 

When the car is at a standstill and the multimedia mode is activated, the cabin is bathed in a blue, high-tech glow that will attract car thieves like flies to faeces. When the driver presses the start button and the engine kicks in, the dominant hue automatically shifts to Renault yellow to energize the cabin with a sportier feel. There's room for four people in the Twingo concept car, with independent bucket seats with built-in headrests and the night-blue fabric of the upholstery contrasts with the sophisticated white of the seats' structure, which echoes the cabin's colour scheme by emitting shafts of yellow light. It's all very high-tech, and all four seats have individual jack plugs so that each occupant can listen to his or her favourite music.

The small steering wheel with flattened lower section falls naturally to hand and is a concentration of technology, bristling with an array of controls for mobile systems, as well as a microphone for e-conferencing over a Bluetooth connection. The large, ergonomically designed rev-counter is located on the steering column in the driver’s line of sight and its unique graphic design ensures optimal clarity.

Passengers can stow and chill cans of energy drinks (and other beverages, such as sarsparella or root beer) in a purpose-designed compartment in the boot. The French concept car is a trendy-looking vehicle conceived for enjoying and sharing music and when the rear hatch is open; built-in speakers face outwards so that when the DJ gets mixing on the deck the partying can continue well into the night.