The Renault Twingo is a city car built by French automaker Renault, first presented at the Paris Motor Show in September 1992 and sold in continental European markets beginning in 1993. The second generation Twingo was launched in Summer 2007. The "Twingo" name is a portmanteau derived from the words "Twist", "Swing" and "Tango". The Twingo was designed under Patrick le Quément, Renault's chief designer. Le Quément's belief was that it was a greater risk for Renault to take no risks at all, having seen its market share suffer from cars such as the Renault 9 and 11. The design of the Twingo resembles that of the 1982 Polish prototype Beskid, from which its monobox silhouette is claimed to be derived. The Twingo has been built since its launch in France in 1992 and in Colombia and Uruguay from 1995 to 2008, undergoing three intermediate restylings in 1998, 2000 and 2004 — solely as left-hand drive models in its first-generation and not sold in most RHD markets. Production of the first generation model ceased at the Flins factory in France on 28 June 2007. It is, however, still produced in Colombia by the Sofasa conglomerate. for the South American market. Total production up to 30 June 2007 was 2,478,648.
The Twingo featured revolutionary features (at the time of launch) of a centrally mounted instrument panel, consisting of a speedometer, fuel gauge and clock, with the odometer and trip recorder selected by pushing a button on the end of the steering column stalk. This left just a strip of warning lights in the area behind the steering wheel. It also had a sliding rear seat, which could be moved to either increase boot space or rear seat legroom. The boot parcel shelf was also unusual in that it was attached to the inside of the tailgate, and lifted up with the tailgate. It could also be clipped back against the rear window when not required. All the first-generation Twingos were equipped with straight-4 petrol engines. Initially available with an 8-valve 1.2-litre 55 hp (41 kW) engine, it was replaced with an 8-valve 1.15-litre 60 hp (45 kW) unit. A 16-valve 75 hp (56 kW) version was added in 2000. Many parts (e.g. the JB1 gearbox, brakes, engine, window switches and seats) are shared with other vehicles across the Renault range. A concept was presented at the 2006 Mondial de l'Automobile. The production version was presented at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show after a last minute redesign was ordered. The model is based on the floorpan of the Renault Clio Mark II, with significantly improved strength and crash protection. Production was transferred from France to the Novo Mesto plant in Slovenia (Revoz). It went on sale in France, Italy and Slovenia on 15 June 2007, and in the rest of Europe, including the UK and Ireland, on September 4, 2007. The motoring press in the UK have criticised the new Twingo for being rather unadventurous in style and appearance compared to the original. The petrol engine is a 1.2-litre unit in three versions, an 8-valve 60 hp (45 kW) naturally aspirated, a 16-valve 75 hp (56 kW) naturally aspirated and a 16-valve 100 hp (70 kW) turbocharged version. The diesel engine is a 1.5-litre 65 hp (48 kW) dCi unit. Trim levels for the French market starts with the un-named base model followed by Authentique, Expression, Initiale, Dynamique and GT. On 31 January 2008 Renault announced the Twingo Renaultsport, with a new 133 hp (100 kW) 1,598 cc engine and Renaultsport styling. Its first public outing was at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show and the first cars were shipped in late 2008.
The second generation Twingo is also available in right hand drive markets such as the United Kingdom and Japan. Engines available in the UK are the 75 hp (56 kW) in Dynamique trim level and 100 hp (70 kW) petrol units, in GT trim level. A 60 hp (45 kW) engine, in a cheaper Extreme trim level was released in January 2008, and the Renaultsport 133 hp (100 kW) went on sale in September 2008. In February 2009, a new model, called Freeway will be introduced, below the current Extreme model, but with the same 60 hp (45 kW) engine. In summer 2010, the Freeway and Extreme were renamed in the UK markets to the Expression and i-Music respectively; these were given new interiors and changes to some of the exterior, including new rear bumpers and wing mirrors. A convertible version, called Wind, was launched at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. On series 14 episode 4 of Top Gear, presenter Jeremy Clarkson did an unusual road test of the Twingo 133 on the streets of Belfast, Northern Ireland. During the segment, Clarkson drove it through a sewage tunnel in an attempt to run it upside down, which he managed to do as part of a barrel roll. After subjecting it to numerous "accidents", he raced the battered car in an attempt to catch a departing ferry, only to crash it into the ocean. On 16 March 2011, the Renault Twingo won the "best city car award" in the Parkers' New Car Awards. The current Twingo is scheduled to be facelifted in 2012. The Renault Twingo In
Special Editions are :
* Twingo Renaultsport Gordini: A Twingo Renaultsport with Gordini branding available in Gordini trim level in Pearlescent Black or Malta Blue. Only 200 available in UK markets. Went on sale in the Spring/Summer of 2010.
* Twingo Gordini TCe 100: An affordable version of the RS Gordini. The Gordini 100 features the 1.2 TCe engine (as in non-Renaultsport models) and full Gordini branding, available in Pearlescent Black or Malta Blue. This model was introduced in the latter of 2010.
* Twingo Bizu: Based on the Authentique (EU)/Expression (UK)) model using the same 1.2 TCe engine. A limited edition trim featuring new front bumpers, Bluetooth and a new headunit/stereo. This model became available early 2011.
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The Renault Kangoo and Kangoo Express are panel van and leisure activity vehicle produced by French automaker Renault since 1997. The Kangoo is manufactured in the MCA plant in Maubeuge, France, and in Santa Isabel, Argentina. The version for the ASEAN markets was assembled by the Tan Chong Euro Cars Sdn. Bhd. (TCEC) in its Segambut plant. The model was also sold by Nissan in Latin America and Europe as the Kubistar until late 2009 in Europe, when it was replaced by the Nissan NV200. The first generation Kangoo was introduced in 1997. It was facelifted in 2003, resulting in a Phase II model. The Phase II vehicles are distinguished by their new nose styling, standardised across the Renault range, with the Renault diamond mounted on a body colour panel in the centre of the grille and teardrop headlamps. The rear windows and seats of the Kangoo could be removed, producing the panel van Kangoo Express. The Kangoo became popular with the mobility-impaired and wheelchair users due to its height and accessibility and because it could be adapted to include mounting points for wheelchairs. Both the Kangoo and Kangoo Express were available in four-wheel drive versions and a lengthened version was also available, with an increased cargo area. A pickup truck version was sold in the Swedish market. In some countries, such as Malaysia, the Kangoo was assembled by Nissan with a third row of 3 seats. The Kangoo Break'Up was a four wheel drive concept car announced in 2002 and previewed the 2003 facelift design, together with a pick-up style rear. It was powered by 1.6 L engine producing 110bhp.
The 4WD version of the Kangoo was introduced in 2002 and was marketed under the model name Trekka. It should not be confused with the Skoda-powered New Zealand built utility vehicle named Trekka, which was marketed in the Antipodes for several years around 1970 . The Kangoo Trekka's all-wheel drive system differed from the Renault Scenic RX4 in its inclusion of a Nissan sourced automatic torque coupling "ATC", a hydraulic coupling that would engage drive on all four wheels should the front wheels start to lose traction. This still allowed the Kangoo Trekka to run in front wheel drive in most conditions, saving fuel. Working in combination with the ATC, the Kangoo Trekka also featured an electronically controlled "ASR" traction control system which could brake the front wheels to arrest traction loss. The suspension was similar to the standard Kangoo only strengthened and raised to provide more ground clearance and wheel travel. These changes gave the Kangoo Trekka a 400 mm (15.7 in) fording depth and 28-degree hill-climbing capability. The Kangoo Trekka was marketed in the United Kingdom with a choice of two engines, the 1.6-litre 16-valve petrol engine and the 1.9-litre dCi common-rail turbodiesel. In 2005 these models were priced at £12,600 and £13,600 respectively. The Diesel produced a peak torque of 133 lb·ft (180 N·m) and returned over 40 mpg-imp (7 L/100 km; 33 mpg-US) on the combined (urban and extra urban) fuel consumption test. The petrol engine had a 0-60 mph time of 14.3 seconds and a combined fuel consumption of 31.4 mpg-imp (9.0 L/100 km; 26.1 mpg-US). The interior of the Kangoo Trekka was spartan and easy to clean. The rear bench seat could be folded forward to provide a 2,500-litre (88 cu ft) loading area to which sliding side doors provided good access.
The New Renault Kangoo and New Renault Kangoo Express were the new generation light commercial vehicle (LCV) in Renault's lineup. Based on the Scenic and manufactured in Maubeuge, sales began in January 2008. The Kangoo van is often used by La Poste, the national postal service of France. The Kangoo has 4 bodystyles: the Kangoo Compact, the Kangoo Van, the Kangoo Van Maxi, and the Kangoo Van Maxi Crew Van. The Kangoo Compact is used for smaller deliveries with a payload 500 kg, while the Kangoo Van is used for larger deliveries and has a payload of 650 or 800 kg. The Kangoo Van Maxi has the most payload of 800 kg and the Kangoo Van Maxi Crew Van has a maximum floor length of 1.33 meters. As part of its Z.E. electric car initiative, Renault has developed a Kangoo Express Z.E. model that will be manufactured at its Maubeuge plant. A planned Renault battery plant near Paris that will supply batteries for the vehicle was delayed due to technical constraints. Construction will start in the second quarter of 2012 and production of batteries is expected to be delayed to 2014 or 2015. Instead, Renault will have to buy batteries from a joint venture between Nissan Motor and NEC, and from LG Chem of South Korea. Customers in several countries can pre-reserve models at the Renault-ZE website with an expected release in 2011. European pricing is €20,000 before any government incentives and excluding VAT (€15,000 excluding VAT and including a tax incentive subsidy of €5,000). In addition to buying or leasing the vehicle there is a separate monthly subscription costing from €72 (excluding VAT) for the battery. Filling up' on energy (160 km) for Kangoo Express Z.E. will cost between one and two euros, depending on the local price of electricity (kWh). The Kangoo Express Z.E. has the same dimensions as the internal combustion model. It uses a synchronous electric motor with rotor coil. Its peak power is 44 kW (59 hp) at 10,500rpm, while maximum torque is 226 N·m (167 ft·lbf). Its top speed is capped electronically to 130 km/h (81 mph). The vehicle is powered by a 22 kW·h lithium-ion battery pack.
