Renault, on the crest of a wave right now as customers lap up its revived - and re-visioned - classics in the form of the 4 E-Tech and 5 E-Tech electric hatchbacks, there’s now another one on the way: it’s a modern interpretation of the original Twingo city car, built from 1993-2007, and its interior design has just been revealed at the Brussels Motor Show.
So what’s the cabin like?
Inspired by the original, but of a far higher quality level and in another league when it comes to in-car technology. The dashboard is, therefore, a cylindrical shape like the classic model, yet it is now studded with a 10.1-inch central multimedia touchscreen, as well as a seven-inch digital instrument cluster. Both of these have their own unique graphics to enhance the sense of fun within the Twingo E-Tech, while another little touch to visually evoke the 1990s original is the hazard warning lights switch being housed in a translucent bubble next to the aircon controls.
Cor! Looks great! But is it all style and no substance?
Not at all. Renault claims it has designed the cabin to make life for all those onboard easier. Throughout the passenger compartment is ‘easily accessible stowage’, including spaces under the dashboard and between the front seats to store bags and other objects, while a full-width ledge runs below the cylinder fascia and can accommodate items such as a book, a smartphone or sunglasses, for example.
Practicality is enhanced in other ways, such as the 50/50 split-folding rear bench having the ability to slide backwards and forwards, maximising either passenger or boot space accordingly. There are even clever touches like a magnetic area in the front head restraint which allows rear passengers to hold their phones in place, or an elastic strap that doubles as both a map pocket or something that’ll keep a water bottle easily to hand. Yet the fun details continue, with the seatback adjustment knob designed to look like the wheel of a skateboard, or the fact that the designers have left little messages dotted around the cabin for passengers to find. And all of this is bathed in light, because the Twingo E-Tech has a rounded, glass roof.
OK, anything else to add about the cabin?
The show car in Brussels has a tinted-cork floor, which is a sustainable material that is said to be durable enough to stand up to the rigours demanded of a car’s footwells, while the upholstery of the prototype is inspired by the colourful patterns that were found in the Twingo Mk1.
And while the exterior of the car on display in Belgium might look the same as the one which was in Paris last year, there have been some changes, beyond the cheerful LED lights that hark back so strongly to the original Twingo. At the front of the E-Tech version, there’s a concealed air intake, while the rear wheel-arch extensions are smaller than they were on the Paris version. Furthermore, the black bumpers have been 3D printed in a honeycomb pattern, the front-door handles are no longer surrounded by illumination, and the shape of the rear lights has been altered.
When is it going on sale, and what sort of range are we looking at?
Well, based as it is on the AmpR small platform, don’t expect the Twingo E-Tech to be able to do more than 600km to a charge - it’s a city car, when all’s said and done, and with Renault targeting a European on-sale price of less than €20,000, we’re expecting a small battery in this thing, even more so than the existing 5 E-Tech. But at that price, if Renault delivers, this thing should be sensational. It’s due to hit the market in 2026, too, so we don’t have too long to wait to try it.