Twingo Renault Sport Entry Level Access to the Renault Sport Thrill, With Complete Control
 |
 |
PARIS - August 25, 2008: With cars like the R8 Gordini, 5 GT Turbo and Clio Williams, the Renault range has always featured affordable sporty cars based on mainstream production models. Twingo Renault Sport is latest car to enjoy that distinction.
Twingo Renault Sport is the result of a double challenge which sought to deliver a car with genuine sporty credentials at an affordable price. It is a Renault Sport car through and through, and features the same ingredients that have helped forged the success of its larger siblings, Clio and Mégane Renault Sport. These include specific styling, coupled with a chassis, engine and braking system engineered for a high standard of efficiency and performance that is also suited to everyday use.
Twingo Renault Sport's release stems from a desire to facilitate access to the Renault Sport experience. Twingo Renault Sport's compact proportions and sharp styling echo the Twingo Concept show car which was a star of the 2006 Paris Motor Show. The newcomer's pedigree and sporty looks are highlighted by its bumpers, wider front and rear wings, sculpted side skirts and an aerodynamic spoiler. Inside, the cabin has been tailored for focused sports driving, with Renault Sport front seats for enhanced lateral support, plus specific aluminium pedals, a leather steering wheel and revcounter. From launch, it will be possible to customise the car to owners' individual tastes thanks to a range of exterior and interior Renault Sport detailing accessories, as well as a multimedia connection point.
As suggested by its fully disconnectable ESP, which comes as standard, Twingo Renault Sport delivers genuine sports enjoyment but is also suited to everyday use. Its finely balanced handling ensures that it is easy to assimilate and fun to drive, while ensuring a particularly high standard of safety. As is the case with Clio and Mégane Renault Sport, two types of chassis ('Sport' and 'Cup') are available. Both benefit from wider front and rear tracks, while the main components of its powerful, durable braking system are sourced from higher segment models. Twingo Renault Sport is powered by a naturally-aspirated 1.6 litre 16V engine developed by Renault Sport Technologies. This powerplant pumps out 133hp (98kW) at 6,750rpm, with 160Nm of torque at 4,400rpm. The unit's punchy character is reinforced by a characteristic engine note which has been the focus of specific development. The four-into-one exhaust is a technological feat which strikes a perfect balance between acoustics, performance and low emissions.
Twingo Renault Sport has plenty in its favour to win over a new, young clientele. To support these customers buying their first hot hatch, Renault Sport is offering a Renault Sport Experience driving tuition course in certain countries. This service is unprecedented in the small car segment and offers instruction on safe driving techniques. The Renault Sport Experience comes in addition to the Enthusiast Days which permit customers to drive their car in the safe environment of a circuit in the presence of instructors and service staff.
MOTOR SPORT IN ITS GENES
Renault has always been a major player in the world of motor sport and its record reveals a long list of successes in many legendary races and competitions. From the R8 Gordini and Clio Williams to the 5 GT Turbo, the Renault range has always featured sports versions of mainstream production models. The latest car to enjoy this distinction is Twingo Renault Sport.
Renault's motor sport heritage...
Ever since its creation in
1898, Renault has been a major player in the world of motor sport. It won
the Paris-Madrid road race as early as 1903, has notched up many memorable
successes in rallying and endurance racing (1978 Le Mans 24 Hours) and has
held several land speed records. It has also marked history with such bold
innovations as the introduction of Formula 1's first turbocharged engine in
1977. Three decades on, Renault secured back-to-back FIA Formula 1
Constructors' titles in 2005 and 2006. This commitment, which is anchored
in Renault's DNA, is not simply founded on pumping up power outputs. "We
have the privilege of addressing a demanding, connoisseur clientele, and
many of our competitors compete actively," points out Rémi Deconinck, the
General Manager of Renault Sport Technologies. Buyers of Renault Sport
vehicles are genuine specialists and are looking for a car that mirrors
their personality. These exceptional cars are derived from the Clio, Mégane
and now Twingo ranges, but have been through the expert hands of Renault
Sport specialists who are accustomed to exacting world of competition.
In Europe, the Renault Sport brand benefits directly from the reputation of the World Series by Renault which has attracted almost two million spectators since its creation in 2005. Renault is the only carmaker to run a motor sport programme of this sort. Conviviality has played a key part in the success of the World Series by Renault which makes a point of providing entertainment for all the family. A special welcome is also reserved for customers who attend World Series by Renault meetings with their personal Renault sports model or classic car. "In emerging countries where Formula 1 serves as a locomotive for our brand's image and reputation," continues Rémi Deconinck, "the aim of Renault Sport Technologies is to showcase the tie that exists between motor sport and the brand's ability to propose high performance motor cars." Renault Sport Technologies also has a role to play in Renault's international growth thanks notably to its experience as the world's biggest organiser of motor races.
...combined with Twingo's own DNA
Twingo Renault Sport is the
result the double challenge that consisted in delivering sports performance
and equipment at an affordable price. It is a genuine Renault Sport model
which features the same ingredients that have forged the success of its
larger siblings, Clio and Mégane Renault Sport, namely specific looks and a
chassis/engine package that has been engineered for performance and
efficiency. Twingo Renault Sport forms part of Renault's bid to make the
Renault Sport range accessible to an even broader public. It also marks an
extension of the Twingo range with a view to meeting the demands of all its
customers.
RENAULT SPORT EXPERIENCE, FOR SAFE DIRVING ENJOYMENT
Renault Sport Experience driving tuition is available for buyers of Twingo Renault Sport in certain countries. This service is unprecedented in the small car segment and provides new owners with instruction on car control to enable them to share the Renault Sport thrill in total safety. Depending on market, this tuition is included in Twingo Renault Sport's attractive price.
Renault Sport Experience, socially responsible driver
training...
With its sharp looks, sports handling and attractive
price, Twingo Renault Sport is sure to appeal to a new clientele interested
in being part of the world of Renault Sport. Our forecasts predict that
nearly half of potential buyers will be less than 30 years of age. To
support these customers buying their first hot hatch, Renault Sport is
offering every client in several European markets a service that is
unprecedented in the car's segment: the Renault Sport Experience.
Highly-trained instructors will give Twingo Renault Sport owners tuition in
safe driving techniques, with subjects covered including the position of
hands on the steering wheel, driving lines, braking, grip, management of
the ABS and ESP systems, etc..
...which combines driving enjoyment and safety
Renault Sport
Experience driver training has two key priorities:
Experiencing the Renault Sport thrill
The Renault Sport
Experience scheme aims to promote common values by helping new buyers to: -
enjoy driving a hot hatch on a closed circuit, - make the most of the car's
handling performance, - understand and use the electronic driving aids for
greater safety.
Total control
Renault has stood out as the benchmark in the
realm of automotive safety for more than fifty years, and is now acting to
improve the on-road behaviour of its customers. To ensure Twingo Renault
Sport owners drive responsibly and calmly, this training course will teach
them about:
- deriving driving enjoyment from aspects other than speed, - ensuring the safety of themselves, their passengers and other road users, - the satisfaction to be gained from driving well and responsibly.
Endorsed by Romain Grosjean
The Renault Sport Experience is
endorsed by French driver Romain Grosjean who embodies the values Renault
is seeking to promote through this programme, namely excellent driving
standards combined with a responsible attitude. He proves that it is
possible to be young and passionate about sports driving while remaining
socially responsible, both on track and on the road. He has helped design
the contents of the theoretical and practical components of the course, and
is the signatory of the completion certificates awarded to each driver.
Having served his apprenticeship in the Renault Driver Development
programme (RDD), Grosjean, 22, is currently a test driver for the ING
Renault F1 Team. He has already won titles in Formula Renault 1600, Formula
Renault 2000 and the F3 Euroseries, and recently won the GP2 Asia Series.
He is ranked among the favourites for the European GP2 championship.
TWINGO RENAULT SPORT, SPORTY LOOKS DESIGNED FOR PERFORMANCE
Compact proportions and sharp styling echo the Twingo Concept show car which was a star of the 2006 Paris Motor Show. Twingo's distinctive looks have been made even more athletic thanks to the newcomer's specific bumpers, wider front and rear wings, sculpted side skirts and aerodynamic spoiler which all point to the car's sporting pedigree. Inside, the cabin has been tailored for focused sports driving, with a number of details that are unique to this model: Renault Sport seats for enhanced lateral support, aluminium pedals, a leather steering wheel and a specific rev counter. A customisation programme is also available, allowing buyers to adapt their new car to their personal taste and needs. Exterior and interior Renault Sport detailing is available, along with a multimedia connection point.
Power and poise
Twingo Renault Sport's compact proportions
and sharp styling embody its fun-to-drive, sporty nature, and are
reminiscent of the Twingo Concept show car. Additional cooling for the
133hp naturally-aspirated 1.6 litre 16V engine is provided by a wide
Renault Sport airintake grille in the front bumper. The sculpted side
sills, coupled with wider front and rear wings, underline Twingo Renault
Sport's assertive pedigree and character. At the rear, the chromed exhaust
tail pipe emerges through a two-tone bumper. The foglamp surrounds,
exterior mirror housings, 17-inch aluminium alloy wheels and aerodynamic
spoiler all sport the same shade of anthracite grey. Renault Sport badging
can be added to the flanks or rear bumper. Like the chequered flag
graphics, these designs conjure up the dynamic world of motor sport. Twingo
Renault Sport is fitted with generously-proportioned tyres (195/45 R16 or
195/40 R17) mounted on aluminium alloy wheels. They house substantial brake
discs and callipers which provide powerful, durable braking performance.
Twingo Renault Sport also introduces a new colour to the Renault Sport
range, with the new Altica Grey once again echoing Twingo Concept. Three
other metallic shades are available (Nacré Black; Extrme Blue and Platine
Grey), in addition to the non-metallic Vif Red.
Sports styling inside
The ergonomic driving position conjures
up the world of racing with features that are centred firmly on the driver:
aluminium pedals, and a four-spoke perforated leather steering wheel with
dark charcoal stitching. For added comfort, it gives the driver's hands
perfect grip in the 'ten-to-two' position. The rev-counter is located
directly behind the steeringwheel, echoing racing car design: employing a
specific typeface, the numbers grow in size as the needle approaches the
red line at 7,000rpm. Just like in the cockpit of the ING Renault F1 Team's
R28 Formula 1 car, the rev-counter features a gear change alert to warn the
driver as the engine approaches maximum revs. The dark charcoal interior
trim neatly expresses sporting performance. Offering additional lateral
support and outstanding comfort, the specific Renault Sport seats allow the
driver to feel at one with the car. The colour of the Blood Orange safety
belts matches the contrasting stitching of the upholstery. As with all cars
developed by Renault Sport Technologies, the Renault Sport logo can be
found inside the cabin, on the rev-counter, door sills and front seats.
Outside, the badge features on the rear hatch and engine air filter.
A hot hatch for everybody's taste From launch, Twingo Renault Sport will be available with a wide range of options to cover the different tastes of every customer. Renault Sport graphics can be applied to the sides, rear bumper and can even be carried over to the ignition key housing. Several graphics are available, namely 'Grey Shadows', 'Chess' and 'Renault Sport Chequers'. Like the rest of the Twingo range, the newcomer places significant emphasis on communications technologies and is available with hands-free Bluetooth telephone controls, a portable Carminat navigation system and an audio connection box which permits personal MP3 or iPod players to connected in total safety.
Available options:
Available accessories:
Exterior customization
Interior detailing
Connectivity and multimedia
COMBINING SPORTS PERFORMANCE WITH EVERYDAY USE
Twingo Renault Sport is the response of Renault Sport Technologies' experts to the double challenge of delivering sports performance and equipment that is suitable for everyday use. The fully disconnectable ESP, which comes as standard, forms part of this brief. Twingo Renault Sport's balanced sports handling ensures that the new car is easy and fun to drive, in addition to combining performance with a high standard of safety. The two Renault Sport chassis (Sport and Cup) benefit from wider front and rear tracks, while the powerful, durable braking system is sourced from higher segment models. In day to day use, passengers will appreciate the roomy, modular cabin and generous boot space that are hallmarks of Twingo, the A-segment benchmark in these domains. Twingo Renault Sport is also available with independent sliding rear seats.
Pleasure and safety in day to day use
Twingo Renault Sport
delivers genuine driving enjoyment in total safety. Its responsive, nicely
balanced chassis benefits from the existing, excellent suspension and
running gear already seen on New Twingo and Clio II Renault Sport. Its
set-up offers precise sports handling and ESP is standard to enable the
driver to stay in control in situations where grip is lost. This
disconnectable function and the absence of emergency brake assist underpin
Twingo Renault Sport's sporty credentials, while its electric power
steering has been calibrated to ensure precise, instantaneous response to
the driver's instructions via the steering wheel.
A composed, balanced platform
Like Clio and Mégane Renault
Sport, the newcomer offers two chassis options: 'Sport' and 'Cup'. In both
cases, track has been widened by 60mm at the front and by 59mm at the rear
compared with Twingo GT. These modifications improve stability and lateral
grip. The front suspension is a pseudo-MacPherson type arrangement, with
aluminium lower arms. The adoption of pushrods on the dampers improves the
performance of the anti-roll bar for even better body control. Twingo
Renault Sport's rear suspension is based on an H-type programmed deflection
rear beam. To improve ride and comfort, the dampers are mounted vertically
and coupled with variable rate coil springs. The 24mm diameter rear
anti-roll bar (compared with 22.5mm on Twingo GT) brings a stiffness gain
of 25%. The anti-roll front/rear performance split has been calibrated to
improve rear-end agility for extra enjoyment and also enhance the overall
sports performance of the chassis.
Sport chassis: nimble and responsive
The Sport chassis has
been engineered for the best and safest balance between driving enjoyment
and performance. Compared with Twingo GT, it features a lower centre of
gravity thanks to a 10mm lower ride-height. Stiffer springs (plus 30 per
cent compared with Twingo GT) and uprated dampers (also plus 30 per cent)
contribute to the car's sporty handling, while firmer bushing has enhanced
directional precision front and rear. The Twingo Renault Sport 'Sport'
chassis is also fitted with generously-proportioned tyres (195/45 R16).
The performance-focused Cup chassis
Twingo Renault Sport is
also available with a Cup chassis for incisive handling and maximum driving
enjoyment. In this configuration, Twingo Renault Sport offers handling to
satisfy the demands of any enthusiast. This chassis offers optimum body
control and its natural home is on the track, where flat cornering and
improved corner speed demonstrate its effectiveness. The Cup chassis rides
another 4mm lower than the standard setting, and its lower centre of
gravity improves in-corner performance thanks to reduced weight transfer.
Tuned damper settings and higher spring rates (10 per cent stiffer front
and rear) bring greater performance through better body control. The Cup
chassis-based Twingo Renault Sport stands out by its Dark Metal Grey
17-inch aluminium alloy wheels equipped with 195/40 R17 tyres engineered
for efficiency.
Powerful, durable stopping power
Twingo Renault Sport
benefits from Renault Sport's braking expertise to deliver powerful,
durable stopping power combined with a reassuringly progressive brake pedal
feel. Twingo Renault Sport is equipped with the same discs as Mégane II
(280mm diameter vented fronts, plus 240mm diameter rears), New
Laguna-sourced front callipers (57mm), and Mégane II rear callipers
(34mm).
Segment leading cabin space and flexibility
In day to day
use, passengers will appreciate the roomy, modular interior and spacious
boot, all hallmarks of Twingo which stands out as the A-segment benchmark
in these domains. Depending on market (and/or chassis type), two types of
rear seats are available: - a removable, folding rear bench seat, -
independent, sliding rear seats for customers who prefer a practical,
modular interior. As is the case for Twingo, this new hot hatch offers a
smart system that comprises two independent, sliding rear seats featuring
fore-aft travel of 220mm. The different options made possible by the
modular interior enable boot volume to extend from 165dm3 VDA (with the
rear seats in their rearmost position; a layout which favours rear
passenger comfort), to 285dm3 VDA (rear seats in their foremost position to
favour boot space), and even 959dm3 VDA with the independent seats folded
and tipped forward. Twingo Renault Sport consequently boasts the biggest
boot volume for a vehicle of its size. The same seats offer rear legroom of
up to 230mm, which is equivalent to that of models from the next segment
up.
A PUNCHY, FLEXIBLE ENGINE
Twingo Renault Sport is powered by a naturally-aspirated 1.6 litre 16V engine developed by Renault Sport Technologies. This powerplant pumps out 133hp (98kW) at 6,750rpm with 160Nm of torque at 4,400rpm. The unit's punchy character is reinforced by a characteristic engine note which has been the focus of specific development. The four-into-one exhaust is a technological feat, striking a perfect balance between acoustics, performance and low emissions.
A sporty, normally-aspirated engine
Twingo Renault Sport is
powered by a naturally-aspirated 1.6-litre 16V engine (K4M RS) which
delivers 133hp (98kW) at 6,750rpm and 160Nm of torque at 4,400rpm. This
freerevving engine offers flexible performance and instantaneous throttle
response. At low revs and in the mid-range up to 4,500 rpm, Twingo Renault
Sport offers lively yet manageable performance for everyday use. Beyond
4,500rpm, Twingo Renault Sport gives full vent to its sporting character
with true punchy performance. The car accelerates from standstill to 100kph
in 8.7 seconds, while top speed is 201kph with the rev-limiter at 7,000rpm.
Fuel consumption is a low 7 litres/100km, equivalent to CO2 emissions of
165g/km. The 133hp 1.6 litre 16V powerplant has been developed from the
1,598cc petrol engine. The improved power and torque are the result of
modifications and improvements to the mechanical components: The air
filling rate has been improved thanks to a specific throttle valve unit and
aluminium plenum chamber, plus revised diameters and lengths for the
air-inlets. To improve air intake and facilitate gas flow, research was
carried out on the aerodynamics of the valve seats. The calibration of the
camshafts was revised to a longer opening of the valves and higher lift
(11mm compared to an average of 9mm). The design of the combustion chamber
and piston produces a high compression ratio of 11.0:1, leading to enhanced
combustion and efficiency, as well as less emissions. The
continuously-variable inlet camshaft improves performance right across the
rev range. The actuator varies the timing setting to optimise valve opening
and closing. This system operates continuously through 44° of crankshaft
rotation.
Sports performance and acoustic enjoyment
The experts at
Renault Sport Technologies have worked hard to give Twingo Renault Sport an
engine note in keeping with its sporting character. The engine noise is
minimal at low revs, but builds mid-way through the rev range to become
`fiery' when pushed to its limits. The four-into-one exhaust manifold, made
from thin-walled steel, forms the object of a patent by Renault Sport
Technologies. The technological feat is to have combined four long steel
tubes in such a restricted space. This architecture offers an excellent
trade-off between acoustics, performance and emissions. Indeed, the engine
has been designed to be able to comply with Euro5 legislation. Twingo
Renault Sport is fitted with an evolution version of the five-speed manual
gearbox (JR5). The closely-spaced ratios are linked to a fast and precise
shift mechanism to favour crisp acceleration in all gears.