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Photo of a Renault Twingo

Renault Twingo

The original Twingo: a 3.43 m mini-MPV with a rear bench that slides 17 cm.1

Researched October 28, 2026 from 37 sources

Also called

  • GrenouilleFrench for frog: a nickname for Twingo I that echoes its frog-like face.2

At a glance

0100200
53.2–131 hpPower
01020
8.7–16.4 s0–100 km/h
0125250
135–201 km/hTop speed
0150300
90–200 N·mTorque
07501,500
780–1,200 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.47101415

Engine
I: Cléon-fonte/D; II: gasoline/diesel I4; III: 0.9–1.0 L I3/EV; IV: EV4712
Layout
I/II/IV: FWD; III: rear-mid-engine, RWD7
Gearbox
I/II: 5-speed manual/automated; I: 3-speed auto; III: 5-speed manual/6-speed EDC71014
Built at
I: Flins, France; II–IV: Novo Mesto, Slovenia712
Units built
I: about 2.6 million; II: about 911,00017

The story

Built as a cheap Renault 4 replacement, the original Twingo put mini-MPV space inside 3.43 m. Its team cut costs with four paint colors and a mirror-mounted antenna that needed less cable.345

1989: X-06 gets a cost-cutting champion19891992: Paris debut, then a 1993 launch19922007: Twingo II finally reaches the UK20072008: Renaultsport 133 joins the family20082014: Rear engine, rear drive, five doors20142020: Twingo III gains electric power20202024: Rear-engine Twingo III bows out20242025: The electric revival is revealed20252026: E-Tech orders set for January 82026 Renault Twingo I (X-06): 1993–2012X-06Renault Twingo III (X07): 2014–2024X07Renault Twingo E-Tech electric: 2026– 19901995200020052010201520202025
GenerationsMilestones471012
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1993–2012Renault Twingo I (X-06)
2014–2024Renault Twingo III (X07)
2026–Renault Twingo E-Tech electric
1989X-06 gets a cost-cutting champion
1992Paris debut, then a 1993 launch
2007Twingo II finally reaches the UK
2008Renaultsport 133 joins the family
2014Rear engine, rear drive, five doors
2020Twingo III gains electric power
2024Rear-engine Twingo III bows out
2025The electric revival is revealed
2026E-Tech orders set for January 8
  1. 1989

    X-06 gets a cost-cutting champion

    Yves Dubreil takes charge of X-06 with a 25% savings target. Dropping diesel and right-hand drive helps keep the original Twingo compact.6

  2. 1992

    Paris debut, then a 1993 launch

    Twingo I brings mini-MPV packaging to a 3.43 m city car. European sales begin in April 1993 with one trim and four exterior colors.17

  3. 2007

    Twingo II finally reaches the UK

    Twingo II brings the Clio II floorpan and right-hand drive to the UK; omitting RHD had helped keep Twingo I's production costs down.478

  4. 2008

    Renaultsport 133 joins the family

    The 1.6 L Renaultsport 133 makes 131 hp; an optional Cup chassis lowers it another 4 mm and stiffens its springs by 10%.79

  5. 2014

    Rear engine, rear drive, five doors

    Twingo III shares a platform with Smart's Fortwo and Forfour. Moving the engine aft helps deliver an 8.6 m turning circle.710

  6. 2020

    Twingo III gains electric power

    With 22 kWh and 190 km WLTP combined range, Twingo Electric can recover up to 80 km of range in 30 minutes at a 22 kW charge point.1011

  7. 2024

    Rear-engine Twingo III bows out

    The third generation bows out in June after production alongside the Smart Forfour at Novo Mesto, Slovenia.7

  8. 2025

    The electric revival is revealed

    The next Twingo E-Tech echoes the original's spirit and offers sliding rear seats, with launch planned for early 2026 at Novo Mesto in Slovenia.12

  9. 2026

    E-Tech orders set for January 8

    Techno orders are set for January 8; the new E-Tech has an 82 hp motor and a 27.5 kWh LFP battery for up to 263 km WLTP, plus optional 11 kW AC/50 kW DC charging.13

Every generation

  • Renault Twingo I
    X-061993–2012
  • Renault Twingo III
    X072014–2024
  • Renault Twingo E-Tech electric
    Renault Twingo E-Tech electric2026–

Power over the years

From 53 hp to 131 hp in 15 years.

050100150 1995200020052010201520202025 hp 1993 · 53 hp · Twingo I original engine1996 · 59 hp · Twingo I 1.2 D7F2000 · 74 hp · Twingo I 1.2 16V2007 · 99 hp · Twingo II GT TCe 1002008 · 131 hp · Twingo II Renaultsport 1332014 · 69 hp · Twingo III SCe 702014 · 89 hp · Twingo III TCe 902016 · 109 hp · Twingo III GT TCe 1102020 · 80 hp · Twingo III Electric2026 · 82 hp · New Twingo E-Tech electric 131 hp Twingo II Renaultsport 133 53 hp Twingo I original engine
12710121314151617
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
199353Twingo I original engine
199659Twingo I 1.2 D7F
200074Twingo I 1.2 16V
200799Twingo II GT TCe 100
2008131Twingo II Renaultsport 133
201469Twingo III SCe 70
201489Twingo III TCe 90
2016109Twingo III GT TCe 110
202080Twingo III Electric
202682New Twingo E-Tech electric

Versions

11 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    III Expression / Play / Dynamique; Life / Zen / Intens

    2014–2024

  • E-Tech Evolution / Techno

    Standard

    E-Tech Evolution / Techno

    2026

    82 hp

  • Standard

    I Easy / Matic / Quickshift

  • II Renaultsport 133 / Cup

    Performance

    II Renaultsport 133 / Cup

    2008–2013

    131 hp
  • III GT TCe 110

    Performance

    III GT TCe 110

    109 hp

  • Special

    I Initiale Paris / Hélios

  • I Kenzo / Benetton / Élite / Perrier

    Special

    I Kenzo / Benetton / Élite / Perrier

  • III Le Coq Sportif / Electric Vibes

    Limited

    III Le Coq Sportif / Electric Vibes

  • II Gordini 133

    Special

    II Gordini 133

    131 hp

  • Limited

    II R.S. Red Bull Racing

    2012

  • I Lecoq

    Limited

    I Lecoq

    1995–1996

How to spot one

Look for

  • Original: a one-box silhouette, round headlights and a single front wiper.45
  • Early II: three doors and large, teardrop-shaped headlights.17
  • Facelifted II Renaultsport: a four-light nose and an F1-style front bumper blade.19
  • III: five doors, rear door handles concealed in the pillars and an all-glass tailgate.10
  • Early III: round LED running lights with four light points per lamp.110

Year by year

  1. 1998 (Twingo I)

    Integrated headlamps replace orange indicators; lower bumpers become body-colored except on base cars. Cabin controls turn yellow.4

  2. 2004 (Twingo I)

    A revised front bumper, diamond-shaped tailgate opener and standard side moldings; clearer red taillights and dark gray cabin controls.24

  3. 2012 (Twingo II)

    A larger grille badge, separate round front indicators and taillights split between body and tailgate distinguish the facelift.14

  4. 2019 (Twingo III)

    C-shaped LEDs replace separate round running lights; both bumpers are reshaped and the taillights gain a C-shaped signature.1025

  5. 2019 (Twingo III)

    Previously a GT cue, the side engine intake reaches all versions; ride height drops 10 mm.1025

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Renault Twingo
    Twingo
    Photo of a Fiat 500
    Fiat 500

    Fiat 500

    On the Twingo III, look for five doors with rear handles tucked into the pillars, plus an all-glass tailgate.10

Against its rivals

  • Twingo vs Toyota Yaris SR 1.3

    UK list price lower is better

    Twingo9,995 £
    Toyota Yaris SR 1.310,645 £
    8

  • Twingo vs Citroen C2 VTS 1.6 HDi

    UK list price lower is better

    Twingo9,995 £
    Citroen C2 VTS 1.6 HDi13,400 £
    8

Prices

Value today $1.1K–$15.1K3536

Auction saleValue today
$0$5K$10K$15K$20K 202420262028 Value today: $1,100–$15,100 2025 · $8,569 · 1996 Parisienne 5-speed, 104k km, BaT2025 · $10,250 · 2000 5-speed, 109k km, BaT2026 · $2,860 · 2000 Air 5-Speed, 196k km, BaT $10.3K BaT, 2025
333437
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2025Auction sale$8,5691996 Parisienne 5-speed, 104k km, BaT
2025Auction sale$10,2502000 5-speed, 109k km, BaT
2026Auction sale$2,8602000 Air 5-Speed, 196k km, BaT
2026Value today$1,100–$15,100

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 11 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 14 stories from its legend
    • “A race series for first-generation Twingos”
    • “About 187 hp from a 1.6-liter rally engine”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 3 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 37 sources
  1. 25 Jahre Renault Twingo - Renault Deutschland Presse-Service presse.renault.de
  2. Quelle Renault Twingo 1 s'offrir pour débuter une collection ? - L'argus largus.fr
  3. 1993 Renault Twingo Review: I Bought the Happiest Car on the Planet thedrive.com
  4. Renault Twingo I — Wikipédia fr.wikipedia.org
  5. Inside the mind of Patrick le QuEment: Renault's visionary design boss | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  6. La Renault Twingo A 30 Ans, Partie 10/16 : Entretien Avec Yves Dubreil, Directeur Du Projet Twingo X-06 - Le Nouvel Automobiliste lenouvelautomobiliste.fr
  7. Renault Twingo - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  8. Renault Twingo vs rivals | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  9. Renault Sport Twingo 133 (2008 - 2013) review: big fun, small price | evo evo.co.uk
  10. Renault Twingo III — Wikipédia fr.wikipedia.org
  11. Nouvelle Renault Twingo Electric : tarifs et gamme France - Site media global de Renault media.renault.com
  12. Renault Twingo E-Tech electric: the return of an icon, and a revolution in its segment - Renault global media website media.renault.com
  13. Renault Twingo E-Tech electric from €19,490 - Renault global media website media.renault.com
  14. Renault Twingo II — Wikipédia fr.wikipedia.org
  15. Renault Twingo 1 kaufen: Unsere besten Tipps im Ratgeber autozeitung.de
  16. New Renault Twingo prices released | Carbuyer carbuyer.co.uk
  17. Renault Twingo GT review - prices, specs and 0-60 time | | evo evo.co.uk
  18. La Renault Twingo A 30 Ans, Partie 3/16 : La Citadine Aux 7 Collections - Le Nouvel Automobiliste lenouvelautomobiliste.fr
  19. Updated Renaultsport Twingo 133 | evo evo.co.uk
  20. TWINGO GT: Driving enjoyment with a dash of Renault Sport spice - Renault global media website media.renault.com
  21. Nouvelle TWINGO annonce ses tarifs - Site media global de Renault media.renault.com
  22. Renault Twingo Gordini review | evo evo.co.uk
  23. Renault Twingo and Clio 'Silverstone GP' editions | Carbuyer carbuyer.co.uk
  24. Renault Twingo R.S. Red Bull Racing im Formel 1-Look - Renault Deutschland Presse-Service presse.renault.de
  25. Renault Twingo (2019) - pictures, information & specs netcarshow.com
  26. Fiat Panda v Ford Fiesta v Abarth 500 v Mazda 2 v Suzuki Swift Sport v Renaultsport Twingo v Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart | evo evo.co.uk
  27. Rallye - Communiqués de presse - Twingo R2 Evo, nouvelle référence pour Renault Sport Technologies - renaultsport.com cliorally.com
  28. Rallye - Communiqués de presse - A champion drive by Romain Salinas ! - renaultsport.com cliorally.com
  29. Update Notice (1.69) - gran-turismo.com gran-turismo.com
  30. Twingo Branco: Piqué responde às provocações da nova música de Shakira | CNN Brasil cnnbrasil.com.br
  31. Adorable Modded Renault Twingos Are Flooding My Instagram Feed And Now You Get To See Them Too jalopnik.com
  32. Renault Twingo (2007-2012) — New Car Net newcarnet.co.uk
  33. No Reserve: 1996 Renault Twingo Parisienne 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $8,569 on February 26, 2025 (Lot #181,779) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  34. No Reserve: 2000 Renault Twingo 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $10,250 on July 25, 2025 (Lot #201,921) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  35. Renault Twingo TÜV-Check (2026): Schwachstellen, Mängel, Probleme - AUTO BILD autobild.de
  36. Cote auto gratuite Renault Twingo III 2024 paruvendu.fr
  37. No Reserve: 2000 Renault Twingo Air 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $2,200 on October 16, 2026 (Lot #268,793) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • presse.renault.de
  • largus.fr
  • thedrive.com
  • fr.wikipedia.org
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • lenouvelautomobiliste.fr
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • evo.co.uk
  • media.renault.com
  • autozeitung.de
  • carbuyer.co.uk
  • netcarshow.com
  • cliorally.com
  • gran-turismo.com

Photo credits

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