The all-new Renault Twingo E-Tech

Renault might well have cracked the code. Since the announcement and subsequent release of the all-new Renault 5, they have been on a roll, releasing the equally retro-inspired Renault 4, and now they’re bringing back an icon of the 1990s. The loveable, bug-eyed, Twingo. With prices set to start at less than £20,000, the new Twingo E-Tech arrives with a clear goal in mind: the make like with electric vehicles easier to access without compromising on style.

The reborn Twingo E-Tech draws on the original's clever use of space, bright colours and cult-like following. The loveable face, simple silhouette, and practical interior remain, but now updated with LED lights and screens. The interior features body coloured trims, animated graphics and nostalgic touches.

The new Twingo enters a market that has largely abandoned the A segment. After all, it is a segment that represents less than five per cent of European sales, but Renault argues that this reflects more on a lack of supply than a lack of demand. They believe buyers still want small, inexpensive cars for city use or as a second household vehicle, yet development costs and stringent regulations have pushed rivals away. Renault, with its long-standing history of success, sees this as an opportunity.

Central to the project is the Leap 100 programme, which challenged Renault to develop a fully fledged production car in one hundred weeks. The Twingo E Tech electric is the first result. The effort combined engineering teams in France, China and Slovenia, streamlining processes and using shared components from the new AmpR Small platform. The development cycle was cut in half, costs reduced, and the industrial footprint kept in Europe, with production set for Novo Mesto in Slovenia.

Technical choices also focused on affordability. The Twingo uses an LFP battery for the first time in the Renault Group, a chemistry that relies on abundant materials and cuts battery costs by roughly twenty per cent. Cell to pack construction increases efficiency, allowing a usable capacity of 27.5 kWh and a WLTP range of up to one hundred sixty-three miles. A lively sixty-kilowatt motor keeps weight down and suits the Twingo’s urban purpose, helped by fine-tuned aerodynamics and the brand’s One Pedal driving mode. Charging is centred on everyday use, with a standard 6.6 kW home charger and optional 11 kW AC and 50 kW DC capability for longer trips.

Despite its compact length of 3.79 metres, the Twingo offers notably generous interior space thanks to sliding rear seats and clever packaging. The boot can reach up to 360 litres, and practicality is boosted with numerous small storage areas. The cabin features the OpenR Link infotainment system with Google built in on higher trims, marking its first appearance in this class. Google Maps route planning, extensive app support and the Reno digital assistant aim to make EV ownership more intuitive.

The Twingo E Tech electric will arrive in 2027 as Renault’s attempt to reinvent the small city car for an electric era, blending simplicity, character and a clear focus on real-world affordability.