New Twingo goes on sale 18 | 08 | 2014
RENAULT'S NEW TWINGO has gone on sale in Scotland, with prices starting at £9495 and first deliveries expected towards the end of September. The third-generation city car, which was revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in March, now has a new rear-engined, rear-wheel drive layout.
Sharing its underpinnings with the new Smart Forfour, the Twingo is built alongside the Forfour at Renault's plant in Slovenia.
Though the new Twingo is 100mm shorter than the current car at 3590mm, it has a 120mm-longer wheelbase and 220mm of extra interior space. Bootspace is attractive too, at 219 litres with the rear bench in place, rising to 980 litres with it folded down.
There's a choice of two petrol engines. The entry-level turbocharged three-cylinder 0.9-litre Dynamique TCe 90, develops 89bhp, hits 62mph from standstill in 10.8secs, hits 103mph, has a claimed 66mpg and emits 99g/km CO2.
The new, larger naturally aspirated three-cylinder 1.0SCe actually develops less power than the TCe, with 69bhp. It covers the 0-62mph 'sprint' in 14.5s and has a max of 94mph.
Renault has given the new Twingo three trim levels: Expression, Play and Dynamique. Interestingly, both Expression and Play models get the French manufacturer's new R and Go docking system, which links a user's mobile phone to the car to provide navigation, infotainment serves and trip computer functions via the use of an app.
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There's also bucketloads of kit as standard, including — on the Expression — rear spoiler, 15-inch wheels, electric power steering, electric front windows, split folding rear bench and remote central locking as well as ESC, hill start assist and emergency braking systems.
Step up to the Play and you also get aircon, a height-adjustable driver's seat and steering wheel and new black wheel accents.
The Dynamique benefits from 15in alloys, front fog lights, cruise control, a start-stop system, leather trim for the steering wheel and gear knob, and rear door bins.
The range-toppingTCe 90-powered Twingo in Dynamique specification also gets variable gear ratio steering. There's also an optional Sport pack which adds 16in alloys, red and black upholstery inside and red exterior trim accents.
Like avery other city car manufacturer, Renault is ensuring there is a myriad of personalisation options for the new Twingo, including interior trim colours, different alloys and vehicle decals.
But there's also a host of luxury-type options available, including rear parking sensors and camera, an upgraded stereo, heated front seats, climate control and Renault's R-Link infotainment system.
Prices start at £9495 for the SCe 70 Expression, rising to £11,695 for the TCe 90Dynamique Energy. The SCe 70 in Play guise, expected to be one of the best-selling models in the range, costs £9995.
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Jim McGill