Third-Gen Twingo Brings Big Style to Small Package

In a lot of ways, the Renault Twingo has become a modern icon of the likes of the Citroen 2CV and original Mini. Over two generations, it has become ubiquitous on European streets. We first covered the introduction of the third-generation Twingo shortly before the Frankfurt Motor Show. Then we did not know much about the car,  but Renault has finally revealed everything about the new Twingo. Offering all new styling, more interior room and seven available engines the third-gen Twingo is here.

The third-generation Twingo has a new, expressive face punctuated by massive fog lights mounted just under the head lights. In a way it is an evolution of the current Twingo with a skinny top grill and larger low grill but with the addition of the fog lights between them. Around back it has new split tail lights with the backup lights embedded in the tail gate. There will also be R.S. and Gordini versions of the new Twingo that add a rear spoiler and a larger front bumper. Renault is also offering a massive cloth sunroof on other versions of the car that opens to reveal the front and rear seats to the fresh air. The sunroof will not be available on Gordini or R.S. models. 

The inside has a centrally-mounted, digital speedometer with a variety of different upholstery options from cloth to leather. It offers standard Bluetooth and USB radio functionality. As an option there is also an iPod dock that can be used as a GPS unit when the driver downloads a specific Renault app. The third-gen Twingo also offers a little more interior room thanks to its longer wheelbase/

There are seven different engine available in the new Twingo: five petrol and two diesel. Power ranges from 75hp to 133hp. There are three versions of 1.2 liter, four-cylinder petrol engine all with 75hp, but CO2 emissions varies among them at 119g/km,104g/km and 130g/km. Another version of the 1.2l petrol engine makes 100hp and 130g/km of CO2. The Twingo R.S. comes with a 1.6l petrol four cylinder with 133hp that produces 155g/km of CO2. The two diesel engines are both 1.5 liter of displacement with either 75hp or 85hp and produce 90g/km of CO2 each or 99g/km of CO2 in the Gordini model. 

The new Twingo will be out in early 2012 with the 85hp diesel version and sporty versions coming later in the Spring.