It’s unlikely that we’ll ever see a properly hot Renaultsport version of the new Twingo, after Renaultsport boss Patrice Ratti called it “almost impossible” to make.
According to a report from Autocar, the small dimensions of the Twingo’s rear engine bay means that it would be extremely difficult to fit an engine that can produce enough power.
The standard Twingo, along with the slightly more powerful Twingo GT which was unveiled last month, are both powered by a tiny 898cc three-cylinder engine that produces up to 108bhp.
Car too small for bigger engine
However, Ratti said that a Renaultsport version would need “around 150bhp”, which would probably require a four-cylinder engine in order to meet the power requirement.
“To get a three-cylinder engine to 150bhp would mean redesigning the engine,” he said. “And at that point the project becomes very expensive - probably too much for an A-segment hot hatch.”
The new Twingo GT was unveiled at Goodwood last month and aims to appeal to buyers who reckon that the car’s rear-engined, rear-wheel drive layout would be a lot more fun with a few extra horses.
New Twingo GT
Along with a revised chassis and suspension setup to increase the car’s on-road dynamics, the GT also gets more power courtesy of a new air intake and an engine remap.
Ratti said: “With that power and the steering and suspension changes, it is really fun to drive, and we’ve been able to do all that without adding too much complication and therefore cost.”
