New Renault Twingo features rear-engine, rear drive layout

Things are looking up for French manufacturers, with their new products getting back the inventiveness and fun that they used to be known for. Renault especially, has seen a product renaissance, starting with the awesome Mégane RS265 and recently, with the Clio RS200 EDC.

Now the French automaker has unveiled the third generation Twingo, which will make its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month. This is no ordinary Twingo either as Renault has turned the well-trotted front-engine, front-drive layout usually adopted by small city cars on its head!

That’s because the new Twingo is rear-engine, rear drive! Yes, just like the original Volkswagen Beetle and the Fiat 500!

Developed in cooperation with Daimler, the Twingo’s platform and powertrain will also underpin the next versions of the Smart ForTwo and ForFour. While positioning the engine at the rear will no doubt improve the Twingo’s dynamics, Renault said it also “frees up the front end and considerably improves the turning circle”, just what you need in a city car.

Another benefit comes in the form of packaging, where extra cabin space is liberated from a rear-mounted engine. The new Twingo is said to present the sort of wheelbase usually associated with models in the next segment up.

As for the car’s styling, it is an amalgamation of the Twin’Z and Twin’Run concept cars from last year. It is also inspired by the Renault 5, including the rake of the hatch’s rear screen and its prominent shoulders. The front end bears the brand’s new styling, including a prominent Renault logo set to a black background and big headlights.

Like the Citröen DS3, Renault said it will offer a wide range of colours and personalization options for the exterior like the door mirrors, side protective moldings and decals.

More details will be released when the car make its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March.