The new Twingo GT - unveiled by Renault at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed - will cost £13,755 OTR.
The sporty version of Renault’s city car was developed by Renault Sport, building on the Twingo’s strengths - its rear-engined, rear-wheel-drive layout maximises interior space and it comes as standard as a five-door, the most popular body style says Renault.
The 898cc TCe engine – the most powerful in the Twingo range – was tuned by Renault Sport’s engine designers to produce 110hp and 170Nm of torque in the GT. A modified turbocharger, uprated fuel pump, revised engine mapping and a specially-designed, freer-flowing twin silencer exhaust have contributed to the increase in power and torque.
To feed the turbocharger with cold air and to take advantage of its faster rotational speed, a distinctive new air intake on the rear left-hand wing has replaced the Twingo’s standard air intake that is located above the wheel arch. This modification is essential in improving engine performance, since it reduces the temperature of air entering the turbocharger by 12 per cent.
The engine upgrade sees the GT cover 0-62mph in 9.6 seconds, aided by new gear ratios ensuring the five-speed manual gearbox is ‘perfectly suited to the much enhanced performance and aid the sporty feel’.
Renault Sport has also used its development work from the Mégane Renault Sport to optimise the mapping of the accelerator pedal. This mapping delivers lively acceleration with rapid throttle response and when the driver lifts off the accelerator, the dynamic settings limit the feeling of inertia.
A revised version of the Dynamique S trim launches alongside the GT, and costs form £12,205 OTR to £13,805 OTR. Introduced alongside the GT, the Dynamique S replaces the previous version, adding a raft of exterior and interior enhancements. As with the GT, the Dynamique S is available with new Renault i.d Blaze Orange metallic paint as well as Lunar Grey, Diamond Black or Crystal White body colours. Subject to body colour, there is also the same contrasting Sport exterior touch pack as on the GT. A Sport decal and 16-inch Sport diamond-cut alloys complete the stylish exterior (17-inch on the GT).
Inside, the Dynamique S mirrors the interior of the GT, incorporating such features as aluminium pedals, Sport part-leather upholstery, grey interior touch pack, Sport gear lever knob and orange interior personalisation.
Dynamique S customers can also specify the GT’s body kit, extra tinted rear windows, automatic lights and front wipers, fog lights with cornering function and rear parking sensors amongst the available options.
Both models hit UK showrooms 1 December.