.

.August 18, 2004
.
This Week:

• Ford Shelby GR-1 Concept Displays Performance Art

• Chrysler Adds Even More Horsepower to HEMI® with New 2005 Chrysler 300C SRT-8

• Lexus Debuts Vintage-Inspired Pebble Beach Edition SC Retractable Hardtop Convertible

• Nissan Announces Most Powerful V6 Pickup

• MINI XXL - MINI stretch limo makes world debut in Athens

• GM China, SAIC and Shanghai GM Complete Restructuring of Jinbei

• Flexible Manufacturing Comes To Life At Chicago Assembly With Three New Vehicles

• Mazda Motor Europe Records Best July In History

• Middlebrook, LaNeve Lead New GM Sales & Marketing Posts

• Renault launches new Twingo range in September

© 1998 - 2004 Copyright & 
Disclaimer
Automotive Intelligence,
www.autointell.com
All Rights Reserved .
For questions please contact
editor@autointell.net 

.
Renault launches new Twingo range in September

Twingo

Photo: Renault
 

Paris - Renault is launching the renewed and simplified Twingo range in September, 2004. The reworked range boasts revised bodywork, additional colour schemes and a wealth of brand new features and equipment, including fresh upholstery. The Twingo Kenzo special adds a cool and exotic touch with its Emperor Violet colour scheme (optional) and fashionable interior butterfly wing patterns. The new "aQuickshift 5" robotised gearbox is combined with the 60 hp version of the 1.2-litre 16V engine (43 kW). With mileage of just 4.9l/100 km (approximately 48 mpg), the 1.2-liter 16V 60 hp Twingo aQuickshift 5 is the most economical petrol-engined car in the range, with a record-breaking exhaust emission of 118 g CO2/km.

The new Twingo range will come to market in France on September 1, 2004. Prices of the various versions range from €8,900 to €13,200. A festival of new colours With its unique design and personality, Twingo is still a head-turner, more than 11 years after it was first launched. With the appearance of the new simplified and feature-rich range, Renault's compact city car has lost none of its shine.

The range is structured around four versions offering different levels of equipment: Campus, Generation, Kenzo and Initiale. Twingo Campus, Twingo Generation and the Twingo Kenzo special respectively replace the Authentique, Expression and Privilege versions. Only Twingo Initiale remains in the range.

In the new collection, Twingo's attractive city vehicle design has been further refined. Just like on its big sister, Clio, the logo is now positioned in the centre of the tailgate and encloses the boot control. The rear lights have a sporty "raindrop" design and the doors are fitted with new protective side strips. The Campus and Generation versions feature new "Nénuphar" hub caps, while the 14" "Nymphéa" aluminium wheels are fitted on the Initiale version and are available as an option on the Kenzo version.

The range of colours for the new Twingo range has also been revamped, including 11 shades, seven of which are brand new. In the collection of opaque colours, Glacier White is joined by Live Pastel, Myosotis Blue and Opaque Black. The metallic and pearl shades Boreal Grey, Cerise Red and Crepuscule Blue are joined by Emperor Violet, Saule Green, Nautilus Blue and Angora Beige. Emperor Violet is available only for Twingo Kenzo, while Angora Beige and Crépuscule Blue are reserved for the Initiale version.

Twingo's interior has also been fitted with a new set of clothes. Three new trims for the seats and door inserts are on offer, depending on the version. The original and colourful brand new "ABC" mesh upholstery is available for Twingo Campus and Generation.

Peace and Love

It is no surprise that Twingo Kenzo is back under the spotlight. This top model was a roaring success in 1995, with sales reaching almost 17,000. New Kenzo has been fitted with a brand new look that expresses the happiness and simplicity of Twingo and the peaceful and exotic spirit of Kenzo's collections. The exclusive Emperor Violet shade (optional) is also used on some of the interior fittings, including the ventilation controls, the seat belts, the floor mats and even the sun roof blinds (the sun roof is optional), creating a an atmosphere of violet harmony. Other distinctive features include the Kenzo badge on the rear of the car and above the side indicator lights and the Kenzo embroidered protective mats, which are available as accessories. Another sign of the Kenzo clan is the butterfly, which features on the velvet upholstery, the rear right-hand window and the driver's map pocket. Twingo Kenzo is available with a full range of petrol engines: 1.2-liter 60 hp, 1.2- liter 16V 60 hp aQuickshift 5, 1.2-liter 16V 75 hp and 1.2-liter 16V 75 hp aQuickshift 5.

The aQuickshift 5 gearbox for reduced fuel consumption

Renault's range of clutchless robotised gearboxes, which are ideal for town driving with their flick-shift manual and automatic modes, has been extended with the aQuickshift 5 version. The new gearbox is combined with the 1.2-liter 16V 60 hp (43 kW) engine, which replaces the 1.2-liter 8V 60 hp (43 kW) unit.

The improved torque and acceleration - 100 Nm at 5,500 rpm, of which 80% is available at 1,500 rpm - is a valuable asset for a city vehicle like the brand new 1.2-liter 16V 60 hp aQuickshift 5 Twingo. The 1.2-liter 16V 75 hp (54 kW) aQuickshift 5 version is still available for a more sporty performance.

Another new feature is the "E/A" control that is used to switch from "dynamic" to "economic" drive in automatic mode. The "E/A" control changes the laws governing the gear shifts for improved fuel consumption. When the "E/A" function is switched on, the 1.2-liter 16V 60 hp Quickshift 5 Twingo is the most economical petrol-engined car in the Renault range, consuming just 4.9 l/100 km (about 48 mpg) in mixed driving conditions and achieves record-breaking exhaust emission levels of 118 g/km of CO2. These qualities position the model at the very top end of its segment. The gearbox's electronic control system has also been carefully reworked. The adaptive law that governs gear shifts has been revised for a more comfortable drive under all road conditions, in towns, on the open road or on motorways. Gear shifts are now more natural and the jolts that were due the interruption of torque when the accelerator is released are now a thing of the past. The kick-down mechanism can be used to accelerate sharply or to make safe overtaking manoeuvres. Enhancements to the software also make for a smoother performance when starting off, with more gradual acceleration and optimised timing of the gear changes.

More than ever, the robotised aQuickshift 5 gearbox now combines the pleasure of a manual transmission with the ease of use of an automatic. When combined with the 1.2-liter 16V 60 hp engine, the aQuickshift 5 also offers unbeatable fuel consumption.

A roaring success

More than 2.4 million Twingo vehicles have been produced worldwide since 1993. Twingo remained firmly on top of the compact city car market in Europe in 2003, ahead of the Smart Fortwo, the Ford Ka and the Fiat Seicento, despite the absence of a diesel model in the range. A total of 113,181 vehicles were sold, including 53,146 in France. The competition became even tougher early in 2004 with the Citroën C2 and the Fiat Panda. With 38,874 vehicles sold in Western Europe by the end of May 2004, Twingo accounts for 9.2% of its segment and currently lies in fourth place behind Fiat Panda, Citroën C2 and Smart Fortwo. In France, Twingo is still in the lead, with 21,010 units sold.

(August 16, 2004)