Renault go back to its roots

Going backwards to go forward with the new Twingo?

RENAULT have leaked images of the up and coming new Twingo, and it's expected to make its debut at this year's Geneva Motor Show in March. The French firm's city car will be into its third incarnation since the original Twingo was launched back in 1993. 

The images suggest that Renault will offer customers the choice to personalise their Twingo to suit tastes and/or budgets. Which many manufacturers are offering in their small cars. As seen with the MINI, Fiat 500, Citroen DS3 and the Vauxhall Adam. Renault are obviously keen on wanting the Twingo to appeal to younger buyers.

Renault's new baby will be a major departure from its predecessors. The new Twingo has been developed alongside the up and coming Smart ForFour. 

This time round, it will be rear-engined, rear wheel drive instead of having the conventional front-engined, front wheel drive configuration. Which is the industry norm for many cars today.

It's not the first time Renault have made a rear-engined, rear drive car - nor are they well known for it compared to the likes of Porsche, Volkswagen and Skoda. Renault's most recent car with the RR layout was the Alpine sports and performance car from the 1980s. 

Though, on their bread and butter cars, it has been a long time since Renault made cars with this configuration. Since the likes of the 4CV, the 8 and the Dauphine from the 1960s and the early 1970s.

Renault have literally gone back to its roots with the new Twingo. If there's a hot Twingo in the pipeline, it will be interesting to see what the new Renaultsport model will be like with the RR configuration. The new Twingo is expected to go on sale in the UK in September.