Renault facelifts the Twingo but axes it from UK line-up
Renault’s city car has received a fresh face, new powertrains and more customisation options, but it won’t make it to UK shores
This is the facelifted Renault Twingo, featuring a revised engine range, more customisation options and infotainment updates. However, due to the city car’s poor performance in the UK market, this reworked model won’t be sold in the UK.
Renault has confirmed that the second generation Twingo will be removed from UK showrooms once the remaining stock has been sold.
Styling revisions include a redesigned front bumper, fresh C-shaped LED daytime running lights, a new rear bumper, a 10mm lower ride height and an engine intake scoop on the rear left quarter panel, previously reserved for “Sport” models only. Two extra colour choices are also available and LED headlights now come fitted as standard across the range.
Inside, the facelifted Twingo will get a new gear-knob, more storage space and a redesigned centre console with two USB ports and an audio jack. A new seven-inch infotainment system also features, with support for Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Renault’s new EASY CONNECT system.
The new software will be fairly basic on release, but Renault intends on revising it over the Twingo’s life-span, adding support for TomTom navigation and Google Places via “over the air updates.”
Owners will also be given a broader range of interior colour customisation options over the outgoing Twingo. A choice of red, yellow or black trim is available for the dashboard, air-vent surrounds, steering wheel inserts and gear-stick gaiter. Also, the seat stitching will match the colour chosen.
Like the outgoing model, the Twingo will retain its rear-engined, rear-wheel drive layout. However, its engine range will receive a lift with the addition of a new, lesser-powered 1.0-litre naturally aspirated three-cylinder with 63bhp and 95Nm of torque. It will act as the new base-model, whilst the outgoing model’s engines will receive a slight hike in power
Renault’s old SCe 70 engine gets an extra 5bhp, whilst the old TCe 90 gains another 4bhp, taking their total outputs to 74bhp and 94bhp respectively. All models are available with a five-speed manual gearbox only, except for the new TCe 95 which can be specced with a six-speed automatic.
Whether or not the sporty Twingo GT will return for the car’s second generation is yet to be confirmed, as is the European pricing information for the known range.
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