I previously announced that I am importing a Twingo from Japan, and I’m sure some of you reacted with, “What the heck is a Renault Twingo?” or, “Why would you want one?” I’m glad you asked. The Twingo is something of an enthusiast-world secret, having never been sold in North America or officially offered in right-hand-drive markets such as the UK and Australia. Yet it sold more than two million examples and became a remarkably successful little car in Europe. I’d contend it’s also a sure-fire future classic. So, let’s dig into what it is, what makes it special, and why anyone would want one of these small, French, and quirky little hatchbacks.
The concept for the Twingo was perhaps inspired by the earlier Polish FSM Beskit 106 concept, which had been intended to replace the aging Polski Fiat 126. FSM lacked the resources to put the 106 into production.
Renault revived the one box micro van type concept as seen in the car on the left. This was put away before being revived for a styling revision. Crucially, designer Jean-Pierre Ploué added a friendly and character filled froggy face and three intake air vents to the front end. It made the Twingo instantly recognizable and gave it a cheerful character.
Legend has it the name Twingo came from the combination of three dance related words; twist, swing and tango. I am not sure where swing went, but it makes for a neat story and memorable name. While it looks less unusual these days, the Twingo was launched in 1992 at the Paris Motor Show in October to a shocked and delighted crowd. The shrunken MPV/minivan shape was radical for the then fairly conservatively styled Renault company. The styling was divisive, with half the people hating it at first sight, but the other half decided they just had to have one. Also going against normal practice was a complete lack of trim and options. The Twingo kept costs low with only a single version, single engine, and single price, with the only choices being color and a full-length canvas sunroof. Ultramarine, Indian yellow, Coral red and Coriander green were your only options. No silver, black or white.
At launch, the Twingo was only available with a single engine, a 55 hp OHV 1,239 cc four cylinder. This engine, known as the Cléon Fonte, dated back to 1962. For the Twingo, the engine gained fuel injection and a catalytic converter in order to meet the EU emissions requirements. Performance was modest but sufficient for a mainly city car with only 790 kg / 1,741 lb of cuteness to pull around.
Looking at the front view you might notice something a little peculiar around the windshield area. It has only a single windshield wiper.
It is hard to find a photo that shows the pantograph mechanism (mechanical linkage connected in a manner based on parallelograms), but this YouTube video from HubNut displays how it works starting at the 5:40 mark.
As demonstrated by these sumo wrestlers, the front and back seat fold to a bed.
Novel for the day was a feature that allowed the rear seat to slide back and forth, which meant one could easily swap between prioritizing rear passenger or trunk space.
Beyond the seats, the interior has plenty of interesting features and character. The rocker switches and dials are generally pastel-colored and have textured effects. The hazard switch is notable as it was modeled after a clown nose. In front the steering is the traditional spot for the speedometer, but it only contains a series of trouble indicators. The speedometer is an LCD unit centrally mounted. One would think this would have made a conversion to right hand drive much simpler, but Renault only produced these in left hand drive. The seats were generally covered in funky and fun patterns from clouds to geometric patterns.
The one option at launch between color was a full-length canvas sunroof. My car does not have this feature which is both a good and bad thing. A “bad thing” in that it is a so very French feature harking back to the Citroen 2CV or the Renault 4 and would give the best open air experience short of a full convertible. But in my particular case I am overall probably glad to not have it due to the extra complexity when it needed service or replacement. But for the ultimate specification Twingo, the sunroof is a must have.
Door handles are usually boring if we are not talking about a Morris Marina or Seventies AMC. The Twingo goes a little wild here with bespoke handles, which is a bold choice for a car built to a price. Instead of just digging in the parts bin for a generic handle, the Twingo gets these circular shaped ones with a lever that goes up and down.
Another oddball feature is that the antenna for the radio is built into the driver’s side mirror. The story goes that this was done to save a length of wire per car. The change had to have only saved fractions of a franc per car, but I suppose if you build enough it adds up to something substantial.
While the Twingo launched as a very basic car with almost no options or special editions, its success meant this could not last forever. Additional colors and optional electric windows, locks and mirrors were added for 1994. An Easy Edition was also launched, which featured a semi-automatic gearbox and meant drivers shifted gears without having to worry about a clutch. A fully automatic would have to wait until two years later in 1996. The year 1995 would see air conditioning and dual airbags added to the optional equipment list. Nineteen ninety-six was a transition year, as the new overhead-cam D7F engine replaced the old pushrod unit unless you got air conditioning, which was not ready for the new engine. Horsepower rose to a full 60.
In 1997 the Twingo got an extensive facelift with revised headlights, taillights and interior. The body shell was strengthened for better crash protection.
The year 2000 meant another styling update and a move to 14″ wheels. For 2001 the ultimate Gen1 Twingo power plant was introduced in the 16 valve D4F engine producing 70 hp. A final styling tweak was unveiled in 2004 as the first generation ended in France. Production continued in other parts of the world, including Colombia, where it lasted until 2012.
There was a second generation Twingo introduced in 2007; while it is likely a better car, it failed to capture the charm and quirks of the first generation. Based on the floor pan of the Renault Clio, the updated Twingo was available for the first time in right hand drive.
A third generation Twingo appeared in 2014 as rear-drive, rear-engine platform shared with the third generation Smart Fortwo and second generation Smart Forfour.
A fourth generation car moved to an electric platform but channeled the earlier cars in terms of styling.
So, is the early Twingo a future classic? The Twingo may never be rare in the traditional sense — Renault built more than two million of them — but rarity is not the only path to classic status. The original Twingo has unmistakable styling, clever packaging, a cheerful personality, and a level of design confidence that few modern small cars can match. As other iconic French cars climb in value, the Twingo increasingly looks like one of the last affordable ways into that world.
In the Twingo Series:
Part 1 – In Search of A Practical Winter Car … And Ending With Something French?
Part 2 – Small, French and Quirky – What Is A Renault Twingo And Why Would You Want One
Further Reading:
1995 Renault Twingo Easy – Renault’s Most Intelligent Small Car
CC Capsule: 1997 Renault Twingo – Keep France Weird
If I had the mechanical ability to keep one maintenanced, I’d be soooooo tempted. I love small cars.
The first Twingo is a landmark car and definitely deserves to be appreciated. The succeding generations lost the feature that made it so special – it’s great packaging.
I had a 1996 Iron Cleon powered version in black with the sunroof for many years whilst living in Stuttgart. We called it the “Ikea” car, because you could fit 2400mm tall cabinets in it by folding all seats except the driver’s flat and loading right up to the dash. I also used it as a hotel when visiting the Le Mans 24hour race. I loved driving the little thing – narrow tires and softish suspension meant that it felt properly French when cruising about with the roof open, whilst the chassis would allow a bit of drop throttle oversteer, which I am told looked hilarious from a following Porsche. Whilst not fast it would cruise quite happily at 140km/h with very little wind or mechanical noise.
It was reliable, too, the only real problem with mine being a broken front spring, which was apparently a common fault.
I had worked previously for Patrick Le Quement at Renault and he used to say that “the biggest risk is to take no risk” – I think he and Ploue absolutely nailed the Twingo’s design. Offering it as essentially a one spec vehicle was the only way they could get it into production. Chappeau!
There’s a Twingo in the Seattle area. I’d call the color teal blue. I’ve seen it a couple of times in the last couple of years. My afternoon commute takes me up a long hill on Orillia Rd. S. in the Kent-SeaTac area. At the top of the hill, I take the 188th St./Orillia Rd. on-ramp to I-5 northbound.
The first time I spotted the Twingo, it had Spanish license plates and was going up Orillia Rd. A few months later, I got directly behind it. At this point it had Washington state license plates. The traffic was stop and go as people were waiting to get onto I-5. At one point the Twingo driver and I were stopped, and I was hoping to get out of my car and have a quick word with them about the Twingo, but then traffic started moving again. I didn’t see the Twingo on I-5, so I assume the driver headed west on 188th St.
“The biggest risk is to take no risk” sounds a lot like this quote from Teddy Roosevelt: “In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.”
David, what role will the Twingo play for you? Where will it fit into the Saunders fleet?
Currently I have a ’97 Mazda Miata and a Royal Enfield Bullet 350 motorbike so hopefully it fills the gap of something that I can lock and secure as well as having capacity for more than two people. The initial thought was also to get something with a little more ground clearance for winter but we shall see how that works out. I should have it by the beginning of Sept and probably a couple more weeks to get it on the road.
It’s a shame we never got the Twingo here in the USA. My kind of car!
Unfortunately it would nver have complied with US crash regs, plus there was no longer a Renault dealer presence to support it.
I do wonder about emissions regulations as well with the older engine. I bet they would have sold well in Quebec at least.
One can always ride a ferry to St. Pierre & Miquelon, (France’s lonely North American outpost off the coast of Newfoundland) to experience one!!
What’s interesting is France has a number of overseas departments and overseas territories, as they’re called, and St. Pierre & Miquelon is one of them. As far as the French postal service is concerned, a letter between St. Pierre & Miquelon and mainland France is a domestic letter. I have a coworker who grew up in St. John’s, the provincial capital of Newfoundland and Labrador. I once asked him if he’d ever gone to St. Pierre & Miquelon. He said he’d given it some thought but never gotten around to doing it.
We loved them, but they rusted faster than the front fenders of a Chevy Vega. Gas emissions weren’t the only area where compliance was required.
I was taken with the Twingo from the get-go, when I became aware of them in the ’90’s. I’ve owned an R5, LeCar, and a Honda Fit, so I guess it’s part of a pattern with small, under-powered, space-efficient, fun-to-drive hatchbacks.
I seem to be drawn to similar cars. A bright green Mazda 2 was the only new car I’ve ever bought. I loved my Nissan Micra as well.
I’d love to get one , one from the S of France, [less rust] especially with the pushrod engine which I’m already familiar with. I often look at them longingly on French auction sites like LeBonCoin https://www.leboncoin.fr/
If I had to choose a small French car of that type, I’d go for the Peugeot 106.
I find it much better-looking; I don’t know if it was more or less reliable, but I prefer its appearance.
I travelled to Taiwan frequently in the late 90’s until about 2010. The Twingo was built there and was briefly very popular. Between their cheerful headlights and bright colors, it was delightful to see them. And then seemingly suddenly, they became a rare sight. Enjoy it!!
Uh, no.
Having driven a Renault Alliance forever ended any future desire to drive any Renault.
That’s awesome you are importing a Twingo! I went to Paris in spring 1993 shortly after the Twingo debuted and I made a trek to a Renault dealer just to see it in person. I even bought the unique Twingo key ring that I still have. Let me know if you are interested in it! I might even have the brochure somewhere in storage too. It was a very cool car at the time for sure.
That even colour matches my car. I’d definitely be interested in it if you were willing to part with it. Let me know how much you would want. [email protected]
I will reach out to you! It’s yours free, just cover the postage. I’m happy it’s going to a good home since it’s been in storage here since 1993!
Awesome! Thank you.
Also….on that trip at the Grand Palais I stumbled upon a design show where they had multiple Twingo’s hung at the entrance! The show itself was amazing all by itself (inside was a fully functional original 1950’s McDonalds Golden Arches restaurant serving lunch!) with various European design highlights of the past century.
Here’s some footage I shot of the McDonalds!
https://youtu.be/rt6vOC4Y8mc?is=h0E_GTcwnzFsFVkm
That is wild! Amazing investment in a sign. That MacDonalds replica is a little crazy obsession with the details – all for a show.
No car makes me smile more than a Twingo.
I’m glad they are finally being appreciated for their many positives.
That brings up some memories. Unfortunately not the best. Around 2000-2003 several friends of mine had Twingos – all females in their late teens/early twenties probably tempted by the cute, non-aggressive face. One of these cars was dark blue as seen in the quad-shot and gave her owner some headache after losing a hubcap when she thought that loss to be a severe defect. While I remember enjoying summer joyrides with the large fabric top opened, I was always more than happy to get out.
Everything in these cars felt cheap or from a German point of view typically French – let’s just built stuff in a whacky alternative way for no other reason than that.
Rear leg room with the bench seat pushed far back where I often sat was definitely one of this Renault’s fortes, but upholstery patterns or those two-tone interiors? Yuk. YUK! 90s major crap by touch as well as by looks. Ugly then, ugly now. I do not recall anybody praising the interior for its wannabe-youthfullness or whatever it pretended to be. That very dashboard made me hate center speeedos to this day as one owner couple – they were twins, so it made sense they had a twin-go as their first car – was always arguing when one of them was exceeding the speed limit by few kmh and the other one saw it. Just put all the instruments in front of the driver so nobody else can read them and start complaining. Never liked those switches and the plastic surfaces too. Flimsy and unattractively to touch.
And these doors. Oh boy. For sure they saved some bucks and pounds by being scarcely insulated but closing them sounded quite similar to balls thrown into tin can pyramids at the county fair. Cling clang clong. Compared to them my Golf III I drove back then felt like a tank. That VW admittedly was conservative AF in the lower CL trim mine had but at least not an eyesore inside.
The lets-be-different-for-the-sake-of it door handles just sucked and were obviously copied from the former European king of cheapness, the Fiat Panda and its Spanish licensed cousin, the Seat Marbella, which my mum drove in the late 1990s.
That was a lot of ranting, I know. If Renault had this car executed in a more adult, more serious manner I would be a fan.
Why would I want one? Because I have from the moment I set eyes on them (albeit always in print, the little darlings never being sold in these parts).
There’s something about the styling of these that is just right. It’s to do with the rounded, almost chunky-toy-like styling: nothing in the thing is a straight line, despite the extraordinary limitations of the dimensions and glassiness. Same inside, and for its kiddy cheerfulness, it’s pleasant to live with. I say this because this rounded stuff spread right across Renault, including the Scenic I owned. In my view, Renault got cheeky after this, and did so successfully, what with a big-bummed Megane and, of course, the Avantime. (I seriously think part of the unlikeable coldness of the Tesla interior is the blank-facedness, the rigid lines, the shaved straightness. And, come to think of this Renault, the lack of any face at all outside, but I’m going off piste).
To know that the Twingo was also pretty Frenching good to drive, and practical, is just icing. In fact, drive any older French car from that long time when they knew how to tune for rock n roll, AND comfort and grip, and you’ll be addicted. The Twingo’s a nice splash of joy in greying world.
Delighted to see Hubnut’s post here, which I’ve watched when it came out. He is an absolute nerd classic himself, resolutely road testing all the cars no normal (non-car nut) person would want. He’s obsessed with the wipers on all of them(!), and self-deprecatingly amusing. These rather grim times need more Hubnuts, so watch him, CC’ers. The bloke is unquestionably One of Us.
Best wishes for your Japanese car, David. I’ll admit to plain old-fashioned envy!
”No silver, black or white” : C’était le bon vieux temps.
Cute thing, too bad they lost the styling plot on the next Gen.
I agree this would have sold well in Quebec. With our recent road trip to Nova Scotia I observed all the rusty 10-15 year old cars in Quebec and wondered what was going to happen; With very few small cars available to purchase will they just be like the rest of us and purchase RAV4s and CRVs?
If I don’t forget, I will get a picture of my mom’s pukegreen Twingo. 1999 automatic, and she will probably only part with it when one of them dies.
Enjoy, I think the Twingo is the most innovative small car since the original Fiat Panda, which also had a multifunction rear seat.
The Twingo’s interior is like an Igloo cooler and is so 90s it hurts.I wonder if anyone has ever put Solo Cup graphics on one