This is something new that we did not expect at all: return of Renault Twingo for 2026! Remember… This was in 1992. Renault caused a sensation with this small city car, which took the codes of the Espace minivan: a single-volume body, a large interior space and a very well-thought-out place to store things, a kind of “minispace”. up to an hour Thanks to its frog head and whimsical colors, the Twingo “1” became an icon, a car of “nostalgia” for many French people. But the next two generations, released in 2007 and 2014, played the gap card, due to which Twingo lost its original charm and friendly appearance first days

Returning an icon for less than 20,000 euros

The third and current version is still available in the catalog, in gasoline and electric versions, but will leave in 2024. So we thought it wouldn’t have a direct replacement, and that the larger R5 would replace it at the same time as the Zoé. At a time when everything is known and leaked, Renault still managed to keep a happy secret: The Twingo will indeed have a replacementand it will be a neo-retro version of the 1992 Twingo!

After R5 and R4, a new icon is preparing to return to the race. Its main argument will be the price announced at less than 20,000 euros. that’s €5,000 below the base price of the next R5. If its autonomy is still unknown, Renault promises in any case average consumption of only 10 kWh/100 km. It will be based on a shortened version of the AmpR Small (formerly CMF-B EV) platform.

Smart + Renault = Geely

We know that It is very difficult for manufacturers to make these small models profitable : PSA was previously associated in this niche with Toyota, and Renault with Smart. During the presentation of the concept, the manufacturer announced that “negotiations are underway with partner manufacturers regarding the distribution of costs.” But which partners? most likely the partnership will again be with Smart ! The German brand is 50% owned by a Chinese group Geely, with which Renault is a 50% partner in the Horse joint venturededicated to the development of gasoline and thermal models.

Geely also owns 34% of Renault’s Korean subsidiary: RKM, formerly Renault-Samsung Motors. Nothing is confirmed at the moment, but the next Twingo could be co-developed with Smart, which will launch its #2 model. And to save money (and avoid a fine), there is no question about manufacturing in China: Logically, it would be collected in Novo Mesto in Sloveniawhich currently produces the Twingo and some Clio…

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