Renault has given its Twingo city car its first
facelift since the third-generation was launched in 2014. While the mid-cycle makeover
doesn’t bring major styling changes, it enhances the Twingo’s personalization
options both inside and outside. Furthermore, the rear-engined,
rear-wheel-drive city car gets a new engine and connectivity upgrades.
Styling-wise, the 2019MY Twingo adopts a new front
bumper with a smaller lower grille and side air inlets, new graphics for the
main grille, and refreshed headlamps with integrated C-shape LED DRLs that
replace the round standalone units on the outgoing model.
The refreshed rear bumper gains new chrome
decorative trims but loses the diffuser-like element. A much-needed update is
the addition of a handle on the glass tailgate, just below the wiper. Some
models also gain an engine air intake on the rear fender that improves cooling.
The updated city car also welcomes two new colors to
the palette: Mango Yellow and Quartz White. Interestingly, Renault says it has
lowered the ride height by 10 mm compared to the current model and
added a rear-end fairing to reduce the drag coefficient.
Inside, the updated Twingo receives a new center
console featuring an adjustable holder, two USB ports, a jack plug, as well as
the buttons for engine stop/start and cruise control/speed limiter. Two new
multimedia systems are available: R&Go and Easy Link (with a 7-inch
touchscreen). Both integrate the Renault Easy Connect connected services and
are compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Other interior improvements include a more modern
gear knob, closed glovebox on all trim levels, and a reinforced rear parcel
shelf. Renault says there are hundreds of Twingo configurations that can be
made by combining body colors, interior and exterior color packs, decals, and
alloy wheels.
The engine lineup sees an update in the form of
a new SCe 75 engine which is a 1.0-liter naturally aspirated three-cylinder
gasoline unit that makes 75 PS and 95 Nm of torque in
combination with a five-speed manual gearbox. Other choices include the
lower-powered SCe 65 and the TCe 95.
The latter is a 1.0-liter turbocharged
three-cylinder engine rated at 93 PS and 135 Nm of torque.
It comes with a standard five-speed manual or an optional six-speed EDC
dual-clutch automatic transmission. There’s no word yet on a successor for the
Renault Sport-tuned Twingo GT range-topper.