Renault has officially unveiled the Twingo E-Tech Electric, a bold reinvention of the iconic 1990s city car. Building on the joyful design of the original, the new model blends nostalgia with efficiency, practicality, and affordability. Developed in just 100 weeks under Renault’s “Leap 100” program, the new Twingo is described by CEO Fabrice Cambolive as “a true Twingo spirit reborn for the electric age.”
The production model takes cues from the concept revealed back in 2023, keeping the familiar smiling face, circular headlamps, and compact five-door layout that defined the original. Designers say it’s “more than just a car, it’s a companion,” focusing on everyday versatility and urban maneuverability.
Compact, Clever, and Built for the City
At 3.79 meters long, the Twingo E-Tech Electric remains true to the one-box proportions that made its predecessors famous. Inside, it features a flexible cabin with sliding rear seats and a folding front passenger seat, allowing a luggage volume of up to 360 liters or more than 1,000 liters with seats down.
The dashboard houses Renault’s latest OpenR Link infotainment system with Google built-in and a new Reno AI voice assistant, offering connected navigation and real-time charging data. Designers have also included tactile physical controls, a nod to the brand’s human-first philosophy.
Affordable Electric Mobility
Renault aims to make the Twingo E-Tech one of Europe’s most accessible EVs, with a target starting price below €20,000 before incentives. It sits on the new AmpR Small platform, using a 60 kW (82 hp) motor and a 27.5 kWh LFP battery, good for up to 263 km (163 miles) WLTP range. Standard AC charging is 6.6 kW, with optional 11 kW AC and 50 kW DC fast charging (10 to 80 percent in ~30 minutes).
Production will begin in 2026 at Renault’s Revoz factory in Slovenia, where 150,000 units a year are planned. Cambolive says this efficiency-driven project shows “a new way of building European EVs without compromising quality or emotion.”
Retro Roots, Modern Future
The Twingo E-Tech joins Renault’s growing lineup of electrified revivals, sitting alongside models like the Renault 5 Turbo 3E and the upcoming Renault 4 Ever E-Tech SUV. Together they represent Renault’s dual strategy of nostalgia and innovation, combining familiar design language with next-generation electric technology.
Even outside production, Renault’s designers have experimented with electrified heritage projects like the Renault 17 resurrected as a one-off, showing the company’s willingness to blend its past and future.
Why It Matters
Small city cars once defined European streets, but the A-segment has been shrinking as costs rise and manufacturers pull out. Renault believes this is the moment for a comeback, with a product that’s electric, affordable, and built in Europe.
By combining the charm of the original Twingo with 21st-century tech, Renault may have found the formula to make urban EVs desirable again. If it succeeds, the Twingo E-Tech Electric could become not just the return of an icon, but the car that redefines the modern small-EV market.
