Grille test: Renault Wind TCE 100 Chic
Calling Wind a road burglar is a bit perverse as he looks so innocent that a generous dad would probably buy his daughter right away for a successful graduation. But this seemingly innocent two-seater has a twofold nature. And the motors will take care of the decomposition. Well, actually two.
Last year, in Automotive Magazine # 17, we described how well the 1,6-liter naturally aspirated engine sits in this pocket-sized Renault coupe-convertible. Of course, by all accounts, the engine from the Twingo RS is more suitable for dynamic drivers, as it is more than a third more powerful. However, the figures in the datasheet need to be looked at in more detail to determine the true nature of the weaker 1,2-liter naturally aspirated engine. Look at the torque. More precisely: in terms of torque and rpm, since it reaches a maximum of 145 Nm at 3.000 rpm.
Fans of technical data will immediately say that the more powerful naturally aspirated engine has about 15 Nm more torque, which is undoubtedly true. However, it happens as early as 1.400 rpm - and it makes sense! That's why you get this deceptive electrical impulse from the spine to the sensory part of the brain when the weaker brother is running at full throttle, which makes you think that the shock is more or at least as much as with the RS in disguise. It's not there, but that doesn't mean it's less humiliating.
Torque from the basement ensures that the engine responds immediately to the accelerator pedal, although a little more gas is required for the initial movement. Since we had Wind on the test in the middle of winter, when nature gave us abundant snow, we connected the roof and tested all the advantages of the pocket compartment. Let's face it, we enjoyed the snow like little children, although Wind apparently lost all the plastic covers on the steel discs somewhere along the way before our test.
Oh, what would you do with that plastic, although we were just casually horrified when we took the photo. Namely, all the features that Wind generously offers with its design manifested itself in the snow. The playful chassis simply asks you to fully engage the turbocharger, which always rewards the determined right foot with the joy of high revs. Sufficiently accurate electric power steering and short drivetrains in the drivetrain gave that wonderful feeling of sitting in a pocket rocket, and innocent sliding around corners became more of a habit than a failed attempt to emulate Jean Ragnotti.
Hey, that was really cool, and 100 sparks is enough for that kind of ride, which was obviously implemented by my predecessors as the test Wind was already showing the first signs of material fatigue. While the cracks in the chassis can be attributed to toddlers, who have obviously been even more ruthless at the wheel than we are, those rips on the inside of the side window at the car wash are not forgiven. However, we once again praise the folding roof, because the trunk remains as much as 270 liters - regardless of the state above your head, which changes in 12 seconds.
The sporty character, including the body seats and surprisingly good driving position, is of course spoiled by the too short fifth gear on the motorway and fuel consumption on the dynamics. If we were more careful with the right foot, the flow would probably drop significantly, but then we really wouldn't need this snail to feed the fuel, right?
Therefore, once again a warning from the introduction: beware of the small, since muscle volume is not always the only relevant information.
Alyosha Mrak, photo: Aleш Pavleti.
Renault Wind TCE 100 Chic
Basic data
| Sales: | Renault Nissan Slovenia Ltd. |
|---|---|
| Base model price: | 16.990 € |
| Test model cost: | 17.280 € |
| Calculate the cost of auto insurance | |
| Power: | 74kW (100 KM) |
| Acceleration (0-100 km / h): | 10,5 with |
| Maximum speed: | 190 km / h |
| Mixed flow ECE: | 6,3l / 100km |
Technical information
| engine: | 4-cylinder - 4-stroke - in-line - turbocharged petrol - displacement 1.149 cm3 - maximum power 74 kW (100 hp) at 5.500 rpm - maximum torque 145 Nm at 3.000 rpm. |
|---|---|
| Energy transfer: | front-wheel drive engine - 5-speed manual transmission - tires 195/45 R 16 V (Pirelli Snow Sport 210). |
| Capacity: | 190 km/h top speed - 0-100 km/h acceleration in 10,5 s - fuel consumption (ECE) 9,1/5,7/6,3 l/100 km, CO2 emissions 160 g/km. |
| Mass: | empty vehicle 1.131 kg - permissible gross weight 1.344 kg. |
| External dimensions: | length 3.828 mm - width 1.698 mm - height 1.415 mm - wheelbase 2.368 mm. |
| Inner dimensions: | fuel tank 40 l. |
| Box: | 270-360 liters |
Our measurements
| T = -6 ° C / p = 1.002 mbar / rel. vl. = 88% / Mileage condition: 13.302 km | |
| Acceleration 0-100km: | 10,9s |
|---|---|
| 402m from the city: | 17,9 years ( 128 km / h) |
| Flexibility 50-90km / h: | 10,4s (IV.) |
| Flexibility 80-120km / h: | 14,3s (V.) |
| Maximum speed: | 190km / h (V.) |
| test consumption: | 9,1 l / 100km |
| Braking distance at 100 km / h: | 42,1m |
| AM table: | 42m |
evaluation
Although we had a wind in the middle of winter, when it was mostly snowing, we did not suffer; instead of enjoying the convertible, we enjoyed the coupe demolition.
We praise and reproach
way of opening and closing the roof
playful chassis
driving position
engine: responsiveness and joy at high revs
price
fuel consumption
the roof does not open during (slow) driving
too short fifth gear
