Renault confirms warmer Twingo GT

RENAULT has confirmed that it will introduce a feistier version of its tiny Twingo city car that wears the Renault Sport GT badge and packs more power, a tuned and lowered suspension set-up, larger wheels and conspicuous looks.

The Twingo GT will make its public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the United Kingdom later this month, where it will use its 82kW 898cc turbo engine to complete the iconic hill-climb in the company of some far more powerful machines.

While Renault is yet to reveal the full details of the little hatchback, including the possibility of right-hand-drive production, the confirmation that the car will be offered in showrooms is a step closer to the Twingo being offered for the first time in Australia.

Speaking to GoAuto last month, Renault Australia managing director Justin Hocevar said the company would ask for a hot version of the Twingo if one were to become available. At the time the Twingo GT had not been made official.

“If a certain version of it comes up, we would put our hands up,” Mr Hocevar said at a media drive event for the new-generation Megane.

“Who is to say that the magical hand of Renault Sport was to cast their wand across one of them, and then say ‘Hey, would you be interested?’, we would say ‘Yes, of course we are.'”At the time of publication, Renault was unavailable to give an update now that the Twingo GT has been slated for production, but given Australia's limited demand for sub-compact cars, the Twingo has never been offered locally in its more pedestrian variants.

For the extra grunt from the Twingo's three-cylinder engine, its air intake was revised along with an engine management system remap, while closer gear ratios enhance acceleration further. Renault is yet to release the updated acceleration and top speed figures.

A chassis and ESC retune complement the extra power in addition to the variable steering ratio arrangement and larger 17-inch wheels and a lower ride height, which boosts grip and handling as well as adding a more sporty look to the GT.

The exterior makeover continues with a choice of Piment Orange, Lunaire Grey, Profond Black or Glacier White paint tones, twin exhausts and body stripes that were inspired by the work of north American aeronautical authority – National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA).

Renault says its most performance-focused Twingo evolved from the Twin'Run concept that debuted at the Monaco Grand Prix in 2014, but the two cars share little in the way of mechanical construction.

While the Twin'Run may have resembled the cheeky town car's appearance on the outside, the composite shell hid a bespoke tubular space-frame, 240kW mid-mounted V6, 18-inch wheels that house six-piston racing brakes and zero to 100km/h acceleration in just 4.5 seconds.

The production Twingo might not be able to match the pace of the Twin'Run concept but the confirmation of the GT moniker does leave the door open for an even more capable RS version, although Renault has made no promises at this stage.

The Goodwood Festival of Speed opens on June 23 for three days.