New Twingo?

Exactly that - 500 with a Renault grille.

I'd be interested in getting one if there is a Renaultsport version! It'd be like a softer Clio V6.

I just can't see them making a RWD, rear-engined car, sorry

If it does get done it will have to be on the Nissan Micra platform because having a unique platform for a niche vehicle is financial suicide!

Nissan did that in the past had something like 9 cars and 12 platform before being bailed out by Renault.

Have heard that it's based on the same platform as the new Smart car, which would make sense.

Would not be surprised if the sporty version has some form of battery/motor in the front for 4WD supermini goodness

Why didn't they go really retro and call it the Renault 8 or 10?

It IS based on the Smart platform Weird times these; Mercedes puts Stars on Renault Kangoos - and now Renault puts theyr badges on a Mercedes This thing is basically a stretched Smart with 4 doors. And it also means that the new Twingo will lose it's unique feature; the sliding rear bench. It's a child of the new cooperation between Renault & MB.

Let's not forget the Clio V6 here - it's not the first "modern" rear engined Renault!



Driver protects engine in case of frontal impact. Very clever design!

I like this thing - and that's rare for me to like a modern car. I realy hope there's a ESP/ASR OFF button on board

A smart forfour..? 

The *old* one was. The next Smart Forfour will basically be this Twingo with a few of Smart's own tweaks and styling cues.

To clear up a few things:

- Yes, it's going into production.
- Yes, the production car is rear-engined, rear-drive.
- No, it's not that big - perhaps smaller even than the current 500. Feels it inside, too.
- No, it's not likely to be mega-expensive - it still needs to fulfill a sub-Clio niche, just as the outgoing Twingo does.
- Yes, it will be at least a *little* posh, because that's what city car buyers want these days. Not *too* posh though.
- News of a Renaultsport version surprises me - Renault is adamant there won't be one. Take that how you will.
- Unlike the Smart, there's not likely to be an electric version - though the platform is designed with that in mind.
- Two engines - 900cc turbo, 1000cc non-turbo. 90 and 70 horses ish respectively.
- Standard gearbox is a five-speed manual.

Here's the gallery I took when I went to the Geneva show. Neat little thing in the metal - has real character. Hopefully it'll be as good to drive as it is to look at.