NEW RENAULT TWINGO GT: DRIVING ENJOYMENT WITH A DASH OF RENAULT SPORT SPICE

June 23, 2016 by Renault

◾Making full use of its rear-engine design, Twingo GT has been honed for driving enjoyment.

◾Precise, comfortable and fun to drive, it offers affordable pleasure behind the wheel, in keeping with the tradition of the GTs designed by Renault Sport.

◾Twingo GT is powered by a 110hp TCe turbo engine, developing 170Nm of torque.

◾To take advantage of this additional performance in complete safety, Twingo GT's chassis features revised suspension, specific ESC settings and variable ratio power steering.

◾Inspired by the Twin'Run concept car, Twingo GT is easily recognisable thanks to its 17-inch wheels, lateral air intake and twin exhaust pipes.

◾Twingo GT will debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on 23-26 June.

◾Twingo GT will be available to order in the UK this winter.

A GT… and a bit more besides

Over the last twenty years or so, Renault Sport has developed unique expertise in making sports cars. The various R.S. and GT versions of Twingo, Clio and Mégane have all been front-wheel drive cars. With the third generation of Twingo, the engineers were faced with a different challenge.

'It was a real challenge for Renault Sport to work on a rear-engine car since the handling of a rear-wheel drive car is very different from that to which we are accustomed. We had to tackle this issue head on, as it were, and I think we have risen to the challenge brilliantly! Twingo GT is a balanced car, fun to drive and offers performance levels that are very close to those provided by a second generation Twingo R.S.'

Patrice Ratti – Managing Director, Renault Sport Cars

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A breath of fresh air for the engine

Whilst sharing its structural design with some of Renault Sport's most famous sports cars – like the R5 Turbo or the Clio V6 – Twingo remains a small city car that has precise handling and is surprisingly roomy. Nestled between the rear wheels, and tilted at 49 degrees to increase its compactness, the three-cylinder engine takes up all of the available space.

For Twingo GT, the Renault Sport engine designers therefore worked on optimising the most powerful base, i.e. the 898cc TCe engine.

One of Twingo GT's distinctive features is the air intake on the rear left-hand wing, which replaces the air intake that was originally located above the wheel arch. This modification is essential in improving engine performance, since it reduces the temperature of the air entering the turbocharger by some 12 per cent. Combined with an upper section duct, this dynamic intake also helps increase the flow rate of combustive air by 23 per cent.

In order to take advantage of this blast of fresh air, the turbocharger's rotation speed has been increased. The fuel pump has been specifically-designed to increase the flow rate accordingly and the same applies to the water pump, in order to improve cooling of the powertrain.

The exhaust system has also been specially-designed, with revised calibration of the air flow and back pressure, and is fitted with a twin-exhaust silencer.

With the modified engine mapping, the power has been extended to 110hp, whilst peak torque stands at 170Nm.

The sprightly, sporty feel is completed with a revised ratio five-speed manual gearbox.

A highly-responsive, sensitive accelerator pedal

The link between the driver and car, as well as the engine and the reactions of the chassis, Twingo GT's accelerator pedal benefits from the development work done for Mégane R.S. The mapping of the pedal delivers lively acceleration with rapid throttle response. And when you take your foot off the accelerator, the dynamic settings limit the feeling of inertia. The driver's needs are accounted for, whilst also improving driving pleasure and comfort. Twingo GT can be used in two modes: Normal and Eco.

A precise and comfortable chassis

Like the engine, the chassis remains very close to the initial structural design. It has nonetheless been specifically fine-tuned by the Renault Sport teams.

New shock absorbers have been combined with original springs, but with an increased calibration. The anti-roll bar has also been replaced with a larger diameter version. Featuring a 20mm lower ride height than Twingo and the Twin'Run's 17-inch rims – fitted with Yokohama BluEarth tyres – Twingo GT sits firmly on its wheels.

Changes have also been made to the car's electronics, with revised calibration of the ESC. 'Without reducing safety in any way, we have focused on improving traction during sporty driving, whilst integrating the new characteristics of the chassis and tyres,' explained Matthieu Métivier, Chief Engineer for Twingo GT. 'In practical terms, drivers that hit the accelerator pedal on exiting a tight corner will feel a slight drift before the ESC corrects the trajectory without cutting speed dramatically. This means you enjoy typical rear-wheel drive handling.'

Twingo GT fine-tuning was performed by Renault Sport test drivers, who work on all of the R.S. and GT ranges.

Always heading in the right direction

Twingo GT comes with variable ratio power-assisted steering, a first in the sports city car segment. Firm around the centre position, it has several characteristics depending on the speed and type of corner, combining steering precision and handling. For example, you need to turn the steering wheel 18° in order to turn the wheels 1° on the motorway, compared with 13° on city-centre roads. With a turning circle of just 4.30m, Twingo GT is the champion when it comes to tricky manoeuvres and parking. It needs a metre less than most of its competitors to perform a U-turn.

The car is a pleasure to drive as soon as you set off

Twingo GT boasts an excellent weight-to-power ratio of 8.5kg/hp, compared with the 9.8kg/hp of Twingo II GT. This saving results in some stunning performance levels, which are even close to those of the previous generation Twingo Renault Sport 133.

Capable of going from 0 to 62mph in less than ten seconds, Twingo GT sets a new benchmark among small sports city cars. Pick-up is also among the best in its category, with 50-75mph achieved in less than nine seconds. More than enough to slip through the traffic without difficulty. Delivering crisp acceleration in all gears, the engine is effective in every situation.

Thanks to its robust chassis, Twingo GT offers driving precision, instilling a great deal of confidence in drivers. Similar to Twingo II R.S., Twingo GT's body-roll control enables higher cornering speeds to be achieved with a sense of ease and comfort.

'With Twingo GT, it's about enjoyment above all else. Fine-tuned by Renault Sport, the rear-engine design delivers a really fun car to drive and the acceleration and sprightly chassis are sure to put a smile on your face. Like the other GTs in the Renault Sport range, comfort, affordability and safety complement the overall consistency of the vehicle.'

Benjamin Manceau – Product Manager, Twingo GT

A design inspired by the Twin'Run concept car

Even before getting behind the wheel, Twingo GT procures a sense of excitement at first glance. Thanks to its 17-inch wheel rims and reduced ride height, the very full wheel arches create visual harmony with a decidedly sporty feel.

The design of the light alloy wheel rims is taken from Twin'Run, the concept car that was the design inspiration for Twingo.

The other distinctive components are the lateral air intake, the rear bumper diffuser – redesigned to incorporate the twin exhaust pipe – and the Renault Sport markings on the side and rear of the car.

Unveiled in a new Blaze Orange paintwork, Twingo GT is also available in Lunar Grey, Diamond Black and Crystal White.

'Twingo is, to some extent, the cheeky little monkey of the Renault family. For this free spirit, we didn't want to apply the iconic blue paintwork seen on other GT models. Twingo GT doesn't play by the same rules. It likes surprises and that includes its funky Blaze Orange paintwork.'

Mario Polla – Twingo Design Project Manager

Starting on the bonnet and extending the length of the roof, the NACA aircraft-inspired stripes – which echo the aerodynamic form of the famous air intakes – are another nod to Twin'Run. The decoration is black on the Blaze Orange paintwork, and orange on the other bodywork colours.

The colour scheme of the passenger compartment is consistent with the exterior. Orange trim details brighten up the bi-material leather-fabric upholstery, the centre position on the steering wheel, the air vents and the base of the gear lever. Twingo GT also has Renault Sport-badged door sills, aluminium pedals and an alloy gear lever knob.