Renault New Twingo Goes On Sale Next Month

28 May 2007

The New Twingo.

Renault is beginning sales of its revamped New Twingo on 15 June 2007. The New Twingo is the first new vehicle release in an extensive range renewal program under the Renault Commitment 2009 plan, and all New Twingos, regardless of engine choice, are part of Renault’s new eco² appellation. (Earlier post.)

The new Twingo offers the downsized 1.2-liter TCE (Turbo Control Efficiency) 100hp (74kW) gasoline engine in addition to 1.2-liter 60hp (43kW) 75hp (56kW) gasoline units and a 1.5 dCi 65hp (47 kW) diesel.  All New Twingo versions, even the most powerful, emit 140g of CO₂ per km or less, with the diesel version emitting just 113g. All New Twingo engines are Euro-4 compliant.

TCE 100hp. New Twingo joins Clio III and Modus as the latest recipient of the new TCE 100hp engine. The engine combines the fuel consumption of a 1.2-liter engine with the power of a 1.4-liter powerplant and the torque of a 1.6-liter engine. The TCE 100hp is based on the 1.2 16V 75hp block (with which it shares 70% of its parts) and is equipped with a low inertia turbo that minimizes lag thanks its small diameter turbine and compressor.

The combination of its small size and low inertia turbo ensures “feisty” performance from low revs, according to Renault, while maximum torque is available from very low down and across a particularly broad rev band.

The turbo comes with an overpower function that enables drivers to benefit from a temporary power and torque increase of 5hp and 6Nm respectively in 2nd, 3rd and 4th gears at engine speeds of more than 4,500rpm. Advanced technology and contained size support fuel consumption of 5.9 l/100km (40 mpg US) and CO₂ emissions of 140g/km, while still delivering 0-100kph acceleration of 9.8 seconds.

1.5 dCi 65hp. Unlike its predecessor, New Twingo is also available with a diesel engine. The 1.5 dCi (K9K) engine will be available from launch and is identical to the existing Clio III, Modus and Kangoo powerplant.

The engine features a second-generation fuel-injection system. Fuel consumption is 4.3 l/100km (55 mpg US), with CO₂ emissions of just 113g/km.

New Twingo’s recycled plastic and renewable materials. Click to enlarge.

eco². In addition to meeting a CO₂ emission target of 140 g/km or less, eco² vehicles need to use at least 5% recycled plastic materials. New Twingo features 9% recycled plastic materials (15kg) and 13kg of renewable resource materials, in the form of latex, cotton, leather, card and wood.

The cars are designed to be 95% reutilizable by weight at the end of their useful lives, through recycling and energy-from-waste. Extensive use of polypropylene improves recyclability prospects. Special part coding was stepped up to facilitate sorting at the breaker’s yard: all plastic parts weighing more than 100g and all elastomer (e.g. rubber) parts weighing more than 200g are coded with material symbols, for easy end-of-life sorting and transfer to the appropriate recycling process.

Renault has sold more than 2.4 million Twingos since the model launch in April 1993. The New Twingo targets a broader, more international customer base than its predecessor, and rounds out Renault’s coverage of the small-car segment alongside Clio Campus, Modus and Clio III.