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Smaller than Subcompact: Renault Twingo

Just as North Americans are rediscovering the subcompact segment, with thelaunch of the Toyota Yaris, Nissan Versa, Honda Fit and the forthcoming onslaught from Mazda, Ford and Dodge, Europeans have also downsized, though they're squeezing into even smaller vehicles. City cars, as they're called, are all about getting more volume out of less space, and finding ways to do so cheaper than the next firm. Toyota's Aygo, and its two other Czech-built identical siblings, the Peugeot 107 and Citroen C1, have been engineered to be cheap from the very start in terms of their engineering and design. They've proven to be the leaders of the arena with the durability, drivability and features that customers on a tight budget need. Fiat's not too far behind with the upcoming 500,

100-hp is plenty powerful for a tiny car like this. (Photo: Renault)

and its partner in design is Ford with the next-generation Ka.

Renault, one of France's largest automakers, knows that there's money to be made at this end of the market, and since it currently doesn't have a savvy city car, it wants in. It'll be a case of profit by volume and ingenuity, but it's one that Renault is sure to succeed at thanks to the know-how of thecost-cutting king, Sir Carlos Ghosn. The car? It's Renault's new Twingo. Bigger than a smart car, but smaller than a subcompact like a Yaris or an Aveo hatchback by roughly 7.8 inches, the new Twingo

Central instrument cluster is unique, and it's digital. Rev counter sits on the steering column. (Photo: Renault)

is a marvel in packaging, offering comfortable and spacious seating for four. Renault was forced to increase the physical size of the Twingo in order to help it meet modern crash test standards, but the fact of the matter is that under its skin is the chassis and underpinnings of the previous generation Clio, which is still produced at the same factory. In fact, not only will some components be shared, but 80-percent of production operations are the same.

But there is one gem that sparkles amidst all the slashing prices, it's Renault's new TCE engine, which stands for Turbo Efficiency Control. At 1.2 liters in displacement, it's not very big, but it'sgot plenty of punch. The engine makes 100 horsepower and 107 lb-ft of torque, which can

It may look cute and may be cheap, but what's amazing is how Renault did it. (Photo: Renault)

temporarily be boosted to 105 horsepower and 111 lb-ft for a bit of extra fun. Considering the range-topping engine for the all-new Mazda2 makes less power than the lighter, smaller Twingo, Renault just might have a new budget hot hatchback in the making. As for amenities, the basic Twingo receives all the usual safety features, such as airbags and ABS brakes, but it's the luxuries that will surprise. If a buyer is willing to dish out a little extra money, the Twingo can be equipped with digital climate control, automatic headlamps, and other goodies.

While we're not sure North America is ready for the return of the sub-subcompact market (although the smart car is on the way here to the U.S. and has been a relative hit just about everywhere else), if the price of fuel continues to escalate there's a chance that motorists will demand even smaller, more efficient vehicles. In the meantime, it's good to know that automakers are getting good practice!

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