Test: Renault Twingo TCe 90 Dynamique
Content
The Twingo in its second edition was nothing special, just another small car. Compared to the first one, it was too old, too boring, not flexible enough, and not great enough. Many owners (and especially the owner) of the first generation Twingo simply shrugged their shoulders at the second.
When rumors began to appear about a new, third generation, it became interesting again. Allegedly it will have an engine and rear-wheel drive? Supposedly it will have to do with Smart? Can you think? Maybe there will be something different again?
But given that we heard such rumors from some other manufacturer (for example, the Volkswagen Up was supposed to have the same design as the new Twingo, but in the process of development it turned into a classic), it took a long time for us to be sure that Twingo will indeed be very different.
And here it is, and we must immediately admit: the spirit of the original Twingo has awakened. The new one is not so spatial, but cheerful, lively, different. Not only because of the design, the whole combination of shape, accessories, colors and driving experience is very different from what we were able to test a few months ago when comparing small five-door cars on the market. That's when we brought together Upa!, Hyundai i10 and Pando. Moreover, Twingo differs significantly in character from them (how exactly and how it compares with them, in one of the following issues of the Auto magazine) - enough to look at it a little differently.
If you evaluate it coldly, technically, then some disadvantages would quickly accumulate.
For example, an engine. The 0,9-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine has a very healthy, almost sporty 90 horsepower. But they're also thirsty: on our normal lap, the Twingo consumes 5,9 liters and averaged 6,4 liters of petrol over the entire test. The slight difference between a normal lap and an average test means that it's hard to save money on such a motorized Twingo, but it doesn't bother him much if the city and highway (that is, the most voracious) kilometers are above average. Who is not embarrassed by such a consumption (and does not need the power that this engine offers), it will come a thousand cheaper and noticeably (by eye we would say that from a liter to one and a half liters in a circle of norm, and we will receive accurate information in a few weeks, when it arrives in our test fleet) a more economical three-cylinder engine without a turbocharger. It is, as we quickly checked, also more perfect, i.e. less wobbly and less loud (especially below 1.700 rpm) and at the same time in the city more in favor of quicker upshifts.
But we can look at all this differently. It's fun when the drivers aren't much better motorized, but the bigger and more upmarket limousines and caravans can't figure out they can't keep up with that Twingo in a toll station when accelerating. And that you can drive into an intersection thanks to the torque, mass and rear-wheel drive without having to put the wheels in neutral and the accompanying intervention of the stabilization system, which means you can exploit even the smallest holes in the crowd. And this, admittedly, is that you listen to the engine somewhere in the back, just something special, racing - up to 160 kilometers per hour, when the fun is interrupted by an electronic speed limiter.
When we add shape to it, everything becomes even more outstanding. I doubt that classic young Twingo buyers will know what the Renault 5 Turbo was in its day, but even without that knowledge, they will have to admit that the Twingo looks very sporty from the rear. The pronounced hips, made even more noticeable by the taillights (that's what the mid-engined 5 Turbo is most remembered for), reasonably large wheels (16-inch on the test Twingo are part of the sport package) and short, chunky bodywork gives it a sporty look. If you add (because Twingo has a lot of customization options) a few more well-chosen stickers (for example, matte black with a red border on the test), it all becomes even more noticeable. And yet the Twingo is also charming in the same breath – enough to not be labeled a road hooligan, even if your sporty spirit is a bit subdued.
What about the interior? This is also something special. From a suitcase that serves as a closed box in front of the front passenger, which can be hung over your shoulder and picked up or pushed into the space under the rear seats, to an additional box that can be attached in front of the gear lever. (thus losing access to storage space). The seats have a built-in cushion (this is a habit in this class, but it is very disturbing for the children sitting in the back), and, of course, space miracles are not to be expected. If the driver is tall in front, he will not have any problems, even if he is (not too) taller than 190 centimeters, there will be almost no legroom behind him. If something is smaller, there will be enough space in the back for children too.
Trunk? It is, but not very big. Under it, of course, the engine is hidden (so the bottom of it is sometimes slightly, but really a little warmer) - under the hood, as usual in cars with an engine in the middle or behind, you will look in vain for the trunk. In addition to the fact that the front cover is incomprehensible and unnecessarily difficult to remove (yes, the cover is removed and hangs on laces, does not open), there is no place for luggage either. So it will only stay basically closed when windshield washer fluid needs to be added, you will always say something bold to the Renault engineers.
Driving will be fine for the driver, although the sensors are very spartan. It's a shame Renault opted for a vintage analog speedometer and an old segment LED for the rest of the data. Much more about the character of the car can be judged by the digital speedometer and possibly the digital speedometer scale (which is not available) along with a slightly prettier segment LED (if not high resolution). Gauges are actually the part of Twingo that at least matches its great youthful character. The first Twingo had a digital speedometer. This was his trademark. Why is this not in the new one?
But there is also a brighter side to the counter story. Don't have a tachometer? Of course, you only need a smartphone. Except for the most basic version of Twingo (sold here as a sample only), all others are equipped with an R&GO system (unless you pay extra for R-Link with a high-resolution LCD touchscreen) that connects to the smartphone you run on (free) R&GO app (available for both iOS and Android phones).
It can display engine speed, on-board computer data, driving economy data, control it (or, of course, using the buttons on the steering wheel), radio, play music from a mobile phone and talk on the phone. It also includes CoPilot navigation, where you get maps of one region for free. Although navigation is not the fastest and most transparent variety (compared to paid Garmin products, for example), it is more than useful and, above all, free.
If you go out of town, you can also make sure the Twingo does a good job, even on twisty roads. The steering wheel does have a lot of turns from one extreme point to another, but this is offset by such a small turning radius (the wheels turn 45 degrees) that many people are left with their mouths open (even behind the wheel). The chassis is not the most rigid, but it is noticeable that Renault engineers tried to hide the dynamics of the car with the drive and the engine in the rear as much as possible, which means the most reliable control of the rear axle with minimal vibrations. ...
So the Twingo is alive in the corners due to its small size and agility (and a reasonably powerful engine, of course), but of course its understeer and exceptional stability system that quells any thought of skidding in the mud can't be described as sporty. or even funny – at least not in the way that it would be described as in some other legendary car with an engine and rear-wheel drive. But this one is also ten times more expensive, isn't it?
The brakes are up to the mark (but they love to be loud when braking at high speeds), and thanks to the crosswind correction system, the Twingo is reliable on the motorway, even when the speed increases to maximum. At the time, however, it was a little (too) loud due to the wind around the A-pillar, the rearview mirror and the seals.
But even that is typical of the new Twingo. Some will not be able to (or want to) forgive his mistakes, especially those who expect a classic, scaled-down version of large cars, even from a small car. On the other hand, Twingo has enough tricks up its sleeve, charm and fun to immediately take its place in the hearts of those looking for liveliness, variety and fun in a small car.
How much is it in euros
Test car accessories:
- Sports package 650 €
- Comfort package € 500
- Rear parking sensors 250 €
- Removable box in front of the passenger 90 €
Text: Dusan Lukic
Renault Twingo TCe 90 Dynamic
Basic data
| Sales: | Renault Nissan Slovenia Ltd. |
|---|---|
| Base model price: | 8.990 € |
| Test model cost: | 12.980 € |
| Power: | 66kW (90 KM) |
| Acceleration (0-100 km / h): | 12,4 with |
| Maximum speed: | 160 km / h |
| Mixed flow ECE: | 4,3l / 100km |
| Guarantee: | General warranty 2 years, varnish warranty 3 years, anti-rust warranty 12 years. |
| Systematic review | 20.000 km |
Cost (up to 100.000 km or five years)
| Regular services, works, materials: | 881 € |
|---|---|
| Fuel: | 9.261 € |
| Tires (1) | 952 € |
| Loss of value (within 5 years): | 5.350 € |
| Compulsory insurance: | 2.040 € |
| Buy up | € 22.489 0,22 (km cost: XNUMX €) |
Technical information
| engine: | 3-cylinder - 4-stroke - in-line - turbocharged petrol - front transverse mounted - bore and stroke 72,2 × 73,1 mm - displacement 898 cm3 - compression 9,5:1 - maximum power 66 kW (90 l .s.) at 5.500 rpm - average piston speed at maximum power 13,4 m / s - specific power 73,5 kW / l (100,0 l. air cooler. |
|---|---|
| Energy transfer: | the engine drives the rear wheels - 5-speed manual transmission - gear ratio I. 3,73; II. 1,96; III. 1,23; IV. 0,90; V. 0,66 - differential 4,50 - front wheels 6,5 J × 16 - tires 185/50 R 16, rear 7 J x 16 - tires 205/45 R16, rolling circle 1,78 m. |
| Capacity: | 165 km/h top speed - 0-100 km/h acceleration in 10,8 s - fuel consumption (ECE) 4,9/3,9/4,3 l/100 km, CO2 emissions 99 g/km. |
| Transportation and suspension: | limousine - 5 doors, 4 seats - self-supporting body - front individual suspension, spring legs, three-spoke wishbones, stabilizer - rear multi-link axle, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, stabilizer - front disc brakes (forced cooling), rear disc, ABS, parking mechanical brake on the rear wheels (lever between seats) - rack and pinion steering wheel, electric power steering, 3,5 turns between extreme points. |
| Mass: | empty vehicle 943 kg - Permissible gross weight 1.382 kg - Permissible trailer weight with brakes: n/a, no brakes: n/a - Permissible roof load: n/a. |
| External dimensions: | length 3.595 mm – width 1.646 mm, with mirrors 1.870 1.554 mm – height 2.492 mm – wheelbase 1.452 mm – track front 1.425 mm – rear 9,09 mm – ground clearance XNUMX m. |
| Inner dimensions: | longitudinal front 900-1.120 mm, rear 540-770 mm - front width 1.310 mm, rear 1.370 mm - head height front 930-1.000 mm, rear 930 mm - front seat length 520 mm, rear seat 440 mm - luggage compartment 188 - 980 370 l – handlebar diameter 35 mm – fuel tank XNUMX l. |
| Box: | 5 Samsonite suitcases (total 278,5 l): 5 places: 1 air suitcase (36 l), 1 suitcases (68,5 l), 1 backpack (20 l). |
| Standard equipment: | airbags for the driver and front passenger - side airbags - curtain airbags - ISOFIX mountings - ABS - ESP - power steering - automatic air conditioning - power windows front and rear - rear-view mirrors electrically adjustable and heated - R&GO system with CD player, MP3 player and smartphone connectivity - multifunction steering wheel - central locking with remote control - steering wheel with height and depth adjustment - rain sensor - height adjustable driver's seat - split rear seat - trip computer - cruise control. |
Our measurements
| T = 18 ° C / p = 1.052 mbar / rel. vl. = 70% / Tires: Continental ContiEcoContact front 185/50 / R 16 H, rear 205/45 / R 16 H / odometer status: 2.274 km | |
| Acceleration 0-100km: | 12,4s |
|---|---|
| 402m from the city: | 18,4 years ( 121 km / h) |
| Flexibility 50-90km / h: | 10,1s (IV.) |
| Flexibility 80-120km / h: | 18,2s (V.) |
| Maximum speed: | 160km / h (V.) |
| test consumption: | 6,4 l / 100km |
| Fuel consumption according to the standard scheme: | 5,9 l / 100km |
| Braking distance at 130 km / h: | 67,4m |
| Braking distance at 100 km / h: | 39,7m |
| AM table: | 40m |
| Noise at 50 km / h in 3rd gear | 62dB |
| Noise at 50 km / h in 4rd gear | 59dB |
| Noise at 50 km / h in 5rd gear | 56dB |
| Noise at 50 km / h in 6rd gear | 55dB |
| Noise at 90 km / h in 3rd gear | 63dB |
| Noise at 90 km / h in 4rd gear | 61dB |
| Noise at 90 km / h in 5rd gear | 59dB |
| Noise at 90 km / h in 6rd gear | 58dB |
| Noise at 130 km / h in 3rd gear | 67dB |
| Noise at 130 km / h in 4rd gear | 64dB |
| Noise at 130 km / h in 5rd gear | 61dB |
| Noise at 130 km / h in 6rd gear | 60dB |
| Idling noise: | 40dB |
Overall rating (311/420)
The new Twingo is the first Twingo to boast the charm and spirit of the first generation. True, it has some minor flaws, but those who are looking for a car with soul and character will certainly be impressed.
Exterior (14/15)
The exterior, which also resembles Renault's racing icon from the past, leaves almost no one indifferent.
Interior (81/140)
There is surprisingly plenty of space in the front, but less is expected in the back. The fact that the engine is in the back is known from the trunk.
Engine, transmission (52
/ 40)The engine is powerful, but not smooth enough and too thirsty. The 70-horsepower version is better.
Driving performance (56
/ 95)Excellent turning radius, decent on-road position, standard crosswind steering assistance.
Performance (29/35)
With a Twingo like this, you can easily become one of the fastest, as the turbocharged three-cylinder engine is powerful enough to propel big cars.
Security (34/45)
In the NCAP test, the Twingo received only 4 stars and lacks the automatic city braking system. ESP is very efficient.
Economy (45/50)
Fuel consumption is not the lowest, which is associated with a larger capacity - so the price is affordable.
We praise and reproach
form
spacious front
capacity
great steering wheel
adroitness
consumption
a gust of wind with greater speed
Neuglajen Engine
meters
