Latest news with #FabriceCambolive
Daily Mail
17-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
New Twingo e-Tech details revealed - and the EV will cost £17,000
Drivers after a cheaper EV with a pinch of nostalgia will soon be able to snap up an electrified version of the Renault Twingo. Renault boss Fabrice Cambolive says the Twingo e-Tech will be sold in Britain and the retro-inspired sub £17,000 supermini EV has 'huge potential' here, he believes. Like the new electric R4 and R5, the Twingo will be another 20th century inspired EV - this time bringing back the feel of the original 90s car in an updated electric form. The R4 and R5 e-Tech have both been hailed for being brilliant and budget, starting at £22,995 and £27,000 respectively, but the Twingo will top both price tags as it is set to cost £16,800 (€20,000). 'Accessibility to EVs is critical for the future, and Twingo offers something new for Renault, and for all car buyers,' Cambolive said. The news has yet to be given a definitive timeline but the Twingo's arrival was originally touted for 2026. Here's everything we know... Why is the Twingo coming? Cambolive said at the Financial Times Future of the Car Summit on 14 May: 'I put all my attention on the challenge to launch Twingo in right-hand drive, because I believe a car under 20,000 euro equivalent has huge potential in the UK as well as Europe, both for opening up the segment because of its design, technology and dynamics as with R5 and R4, but also because it brings a new level of versatility for the class that I believe customers will respond to.' Confirmation of the Twingo puts Renault in a select class of sub-£20,000 EVs that are proving electric cars can be as cheap as combustion. Currently only the £14,995 Dacia Spring – the cheapest new EV in the UK - and the £15,995 Leap Motor T03 come in under £20,000. The new Fiat Panda EV starts just above at £20,995, as does the £22,715 Hyundai Inster and Renault's £22,995 R5. However, VW is bringing its £17k ID.1 to the UK in 2027, while Dacia has announced another sub-£15k EV will arrive soon and China's BYD has said its Dolphin Surf EV will go on sale later this year. At the Parisian concept launch in 2023 Renault Group chief executive Luca de Meo promised the next-generation Twingo will 'be a game changer once again like it was 30 years ago' and promises it to be a 'fit for purpose urban vehicle, state-of-the-art EV with no compromise'. He also said that a newly-formed spin-off design team has been tasked with fast-tracking the concept car's development into a full-production car in just two years. This is to match the progression of Chinese rivals he noted. He also promised that the Twingo will also be around 20 per cent smaller than superminis that currently sit in the smallest passenger car segment. The race to dominate the true budget end of the market and to make the chicest and cheapest supermini is on - and the Twingo very much puts Renault in contention for the crown. A nod to the 90s Twingo – how the Twingo EV will take inspiration At the moment all we've got to go on for what the Twingo will look like or what features it will have is the concept car which is loosely based on the first Mk1 Twingo. Launched in 1992, the Twingo got its name from a mix of the dance styles twist, swing and tango. Comparing the concept with the Mk1, it's clear to see that the semi-circular headlights have been carried over – although this time in LED-strip form – as have the rear lights and an updated version of the iconic upright rear window. The three air scoops on the bonnet lid are also nostalgic touches. While these were originally used to cool the 1.0-1.2-litre engines of the original Twingo, in the concept they show the remaining battery level instead. During the original concept unveil bosses said it should be available on finance for less than €100 per month (approximately £87), making it an affordable option The 1992 Mk1 Twingo was known to Europeans as a Tardis-like car because it was so spacious inside for such small exterior dimensions The EV Twingo will be the fourth-generation of the supermini city car and will captilise on Renault's current design success There are also circular recesses for the front door handles in a nod to the original, although the Twingo EV will be a five-door car unlike the three-door 90s version. The original car was famed by French owners for its Tardis-like packaging, with a surprisingly spacious interior for compact, city-car dimensions. Hopefully the electric Twingo follows suit. The interior has a similarly retro feel with a cylindrical-shaped dash, just with a modern digital driver display and landscape infotainment touchscreen. Since the Renault Twingo went on sale in April 1993, Renault has sold over 2.4 million Twingos worldwide. The first-generation Twingo alone saw production of 2.6 million units Original sales success of the Twingo The 1992 Mk1 Twingo was sold in Europe, but British drivers had to wait for the arrival of the second-generation in 2006 to get their hands on a right-hand drive version. The Mk3 version also came to the UK in 2014 with the unique selling point of having its engine at the rear under the boot floor. It wasn't a sales success though, with 2018 seeing just 877 examples sold to customers in Britain. Bosses axed it from UK showrooms a year later. However, if the fanfare surrounding the new R4 and R5 EVs is anything to go on the new Twingo EV will be shoo-in sales success.
Scottish Sun
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Iconic 1990s hatchback has comeback CONFIRMED for the UK with bargain start price
It follows the release of two other throwback hatchbacks BRING IT BACK Iconic 1990s hatchback has comeback CONFIRMED for the UK with bargain start price Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A POPULAR car brand has confirmed that its new electric car will arrive in the UK shortly after its launch next year. British motorists will be able to buy the new Renault Twingo electric car in right-hand drive form after its initial launch, Renault boss Fabrice Cambolive has announced. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 The Renault Twingo electric car is set to launch in the UK sometime in 2026 Credit: RENAULT 6 Its seats are colour-matched to the exterior paintwork Credit: RENAULT 6 It features a modern interior while maintaining the charm of early models Credit: RENAULT The car is due to launch in mainland Europe next year but there were doubts about its viability in the UK because of the cost of converting it to a right-hand drive. It is now in its fourth generation, with an affordable starting price tag of under €20,000 (£16,700). Autocar reported yesterday that Cambolive would be retailing the model in the UK following the success of the Renault 5 and 4. Cambolive said: "The UK is very important in terms of product recognition, because your legacy in terms of cars is very important. 'I've followed closely the reaction to the R5 and R4 [in the UK], and with Twingo the exercise will be even more interesting because it's not only sportiness, agility, design and practicality but we can play on versatility. 'The Twingo can be one of the solutions of mobility for the UK tomorrow. "You couldn't have the genuine Twingo in 1992, because right-hand drive didn't arrive until a generation after, but I will put all my pressure and my attention to get the Twingo for the UK as soon as possible [after it is launched in mainland Europe].' The success of Renault's other cars in the UK has reassured Cambolive that the costly risk of producing the right-hand drive model of the Twingo will be worthwhile. The interior draws on its original 1992 design, while modernising with a 7.0in digital instrument cluster and a 10.1in infotainment touchscreen. Its seats mirror the exterior paint, again referencing early models of the car which featured bold upholstery options. Nostalgia underpins the cars design, even in the small details, like the front seatbacks being adjusted using skateboard wheels. Its interior is designed solely "to make life easier" with features that prioritise storage capacity and utility. This includes bag storage cubbies under the dashboard, in addition to a full-width shelf to increase storage efficiency. 6 With a starting price of €20,000, its an affordable option for motorists Credit: RENAULT 6 The interior prioritises storage capacity and utility Credit: RENAULT 6 Previous generations of the car were not available in the UK Credit: RENAULT Previous generations of the car, like its first 1990 model, were only available in Europe. Similarly, the Twingo ZE, was never sold in the UK and went out of production in 2024.
The Irish Sun
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Iconic 1990s hatchback has comeback CONFIRMED for the UK with bargain start price
A POPULAR car brand has confirmed that its new electric car will arrive in the UK shortly after its launch next year. British motorists will be able to buy the new Renault Twingo electric car in right-hand drive form after its initial launch, Renault boss Fabrice Cambolive has announced. Advertisement 6 The Renault Twingo electric car is set to launch in the UK sometime in 2026 Credit: RENAULT 6 Its seats are colour-matched to the exterior paintwork Credit: RENAULT 6 It features a modern interior while maintaining the charm of early models Credit: RENAULT The car is due to launch in mainland Europe next year but there were doubts about its viability in the UK because of the cost of converting it to a right-hand drive. It is now in its Cambolive said: "The UK is very important in terms of product recognition, because your legacy in terms of cars is very important. Advertisement Read more Motors 'I've followed closely the reaction to the 'The Twingo can be one of the solutions of mobility for the UK tomorrow. "You couldn't have the genuine Twingo in 1992, because right-hand drive didn't arrive until a generation after, but I will put all my pressure and my attention to get the Twingo for the UK as soon as possible [after it is launched in mainland Europe].' The success of Renault's other cars in the UK has reassured Cambolive that the costly risk of producing the right-hand drive model of the Twingo will be worthwhile. Advertisement Most read in Motors Exclusive Its seats mirror the exterior paint, again referencing early models of the car which featured bold upholstery options. Nostalgia underpins the cars design, even in the small details, like the front seatbacks being adjusted using skateboard wheels. Its interior is designed solely "to make life easier" with features that prioritise storage capacity and utility. Advertisement This includes bag storage cubbies under the dashboard, in addition to a full-width shelf to increase storage efficiency. 6 With a starting price of €20,000, its an affordable option for motorists Credit: RENAULT 6 The interior prioritises storage capacity and utility Credit: RENAULT 6 Previous generations of the car were not available in the UK Credit: RENAULT Advertisement Previous generations of the car, like its first 1990 model, were only available in Europe. Similarly, the Twingo ZE, was never sold in the UK and went out of production in 2024.
The Sun
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Iconic 1990s hatchback has comeback CONFIRMED for the UK with bargain start price
A POPULAR car brand has confirmed that its new electric car will arrive in the UK shortly after its launch next year. British motorists will be able to buy the new Renault Twingo electric car in right-hand drive form after its initial launch, Renault boss Fabrice Cambolive has announced. 6 6 6 The car is due to launch in mainland Europe next year but there were doubts about its viability in the UK because of the cost of converting it to a right-hand drive. It is now in its fourth generation, with an affordable starting price tag of under €20,000 (£16,700). Autocar reported yesterday that Cambolive would be retailing the model in the UK following the success of the Renault 5 and 4. Cambolive said: "The UK is very important in terms of product recognition, because your legacy in terms of cars is very important. 'I've followed closely the reaction to the R5 and R4 [in the UK], and with Twingo the exercise will be even more interesting because it's not only sportiness, agility, design and practicality but we can play on versatility. 'The Twingo can be one of the solutions of mobility for the UK tomorrow. "You couldn't have the genuine Twingo in 1992, because right-hand drive didn't arrive until a generation after, but I will put all my pressure and my attention to get the Twingo for the UK as soon as possible [after it is launched in mainland Europe].' The success of Renault's other cars in the UK has reassured Cambolive that the costly risk of producing the right-hand drive model of the Twingo will be worthwhile. The interior draws on its original 1992 design, while modernising with a 7.0in digital instrument cluster and a 10.1in infotainment touchscreen. Its seats mirror the exterior paint, again referencing early models of the car which featured bold upholstery options. Nostalgia underpins the cars design, even in the small details, like the front seatbacks being adjusted using skateboard wheels. Its interior is designed solely "to make life easier" with features that prioritise storage capacity and utility. This includes bag storage cubbies under the dashboard, in addition to a full-width shelf to increase storage efficiency. 6 6 6 Previous generations of the car, like its first 1990 model, were only available in Europe. Similarly, the Twingo ZE, was never sold in the UK and went out of production in 2024.
Top Gear
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Confirmed! The bargain new Renault Twingo will be sold in the UK
Confirmed! The bargain new Renault Twingo will be sold in the UK Renault boss Fabrice Cambolive has confirmed the £17k city car will be sold on our shores Skip 7 photos in the image carousel and continue reading Turn on Javascript to see all the available pictures. 1 / 7 Big news about a very small car: the reborn Renault Twingo will be sold in the UK after all, and it's still on track to cost less than £17,000. 'I'm pleased to confirm Renault Twingo will launch in the UK,' said boss of the Renault brand Fabrice Cambolive earlier today. Advertisement - Page continues below 'I put all my attention on the challenge to launch Twingo in right-hand drive, because I believe a car under 20,000 euro equivalent has huge potential in the UK as well as Europe, both for opening up the segment because of its design, technology and dynamics as with R5 and R4, but also because it brings a new level of versatility for the class that I believe customers will respond to. 'Accessibility to EVs is critical for the future, and Twingo offers something new for Renault, and for all car buyers.' Of course, the newly electrified Twingo does actually lean on the 1990s original (which never officially made it to the UK) for its style and its funky seat patterns. Underneath it'll be very 21st Century though, with an as-yet unnamed electric powertrain that's targeting 6.2 miles per kWh. Interior images released in January this year also showed off a 7in digital dial display and a 10in infotainment screen. That's about all we know so far, but now we know we'll definitely be getting a right-hand drive Twingo we'll be sure to bring you any further updates. Advertisement - Page continues below Top Gear Newsletter Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox. Success Your Email*
