Renault readies Twingo EV replacement

RENAULT is reportedly working to create a successor to its popular Twingo ZE electric vehicle (pictured), the replacement model likely to arrive as part of a joint venture with Volkswagen as the European marques attempt to stave off intense competition from Chinese rivals.

According to Reuters, several sources have verified the existence of the forthcoming model, a validation model said to have undergone testing as recently as last week.

Slotting within Renault’s Ampere EV unit, the Twingo is tipped to enter the market more quickly than before, with fully-electric models being developed in as little as three years – well down from the industry average of seven.

Further accelerating the model’s production, Renault engineers are said to be working to trim the number of components used in the Twingo by up to 20 per cent, using more generic components in favour of those made specifically for the model.

It is estimated that the vehicle would need to sell from below €20,000 ($A33,000) to take-on its closest Chinese rivals.

GoAuto understands the Twingo will likely enter production at Renault’s Novo Mesto plant in Slovenia where the current-generation Twingo ZE is produced. More than four million examples of the Twingo have been produced in the last 30 years, in both ICE and EV form.

According to the most recent article, Renault is seeking a partner in the development and production of its next-generation Twingo and is reportedly in talks with Volkswagen.

In March, Volkswagen brand CEO Thomas Schaefer said the Volkswagen Group is working on options for an entry-level EV model it plans to launch by 2027. A decision on that model is expected to be announced in the coming months.

While there are no known plans for the Twingo in Australia, the idea of a sub-$35,000 European EV is highly appealing.

A prototype of what is speculated to become the next-generation Twingo was shown at the Capital Markets Day press conference in November of last year (2023).

The retro-styled Twingo Legend concept (pictured in green) carried many styling cues from the first-generation Twingo, as well as those from the 4Ever Trophy and Renault 5 EV.

At the time, Renault touted efficiency claims of as low as 10.0kWh per 100km/h for the city-sized hatch, with Renault Group CEO Luca De Meo saying the model would reach the production line within two years.