Pics & Details Aplenty: Renault Twingo RS

Click above for hi-res gallery of the Twingo Renault Sport

After its initial unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show this past March, Renault has finally released full details – including pricing, equipment, and a whole $h!tload of new photos – of the new Twingo Renault Sport. Following the great line of eminently chuckable sport hatches from the French automaker – including the current Clio and Megane Renault Sport models – the Twingo Renault Sport upgrades the existing range-topping Twingo GT with a host of performance-oriented equipment inside, outside and underneath. Power comes from a 133-hp 1.6-liter 16-valve four-banger, and the Twingo RS comes right out of the gate with a choice of two chassis set-ups: Sport and Cup. The latter tightens up the suspension, cuts out 17 kg of weight and offers 17-inch dark anthracite wheels.

You'll recall that while its on-track rivals like Ferrari and McLaren turn their F1 know-how into six-figure supercars, Renault transfers its into sport hatches like this one. Renault Sport's latest offering will sell for just €15,601 in its home market, but includes a special bonus usually reserved for cars ten times its price. For a nominal fee of €1, Renault Sport Technologies is throwing in tutelage in its advanced driving course to show each new owner how to get the most out of their finely-tuned little chassis.

Follow the jump to get the full skinny on the little hatchback that could, and check out the hundred new images joining our live shots in the gallery below.

[Source: Renault]

PRESS RELEASE

TWINGO RENAULT SPORT: AN AFFORDABLE PRICE AND A DRIVING TUITION FOR AN EXTRA EURO

Thanks to its competitive pricing (€15,601 in France) which includes 'Renault Sport Experience' driving tuition, Twingo Renault Sport opens up the Renault Sport thrill to a wider range of customers, while putting them in complete control.

The Twingo Renault Sport range is simple and attractive: sporty looks, a 133hp 1.6 litre 16V engine and a choice of two chassis (Sport or Cup). The car can be customized to every driver's taste: exterior and interior Renault Sport detailing is available, along with a multimedia connection point.

From the car's launch, Renault Sport Technologies will offer every customer a service that is unique in the hot hatch segment: Renault Sport Experience driving tuition. This driver training course reinforces Renault's credentials as a socially responsible company and is available in several European countries. It teaches new buyers how to handle their new hot hatch, so they can get maximum enjoyment from Renault Sport's cars in total safety.

In France, the start of sales will be on September 11th.

Twingo Renault Sport, an appealing, straightforward range

This compact hot hatch completes the Renault Sport range, alongside Clio and Mégane Renault Sport. It is attractively priced, at just €15,600 in France, which includes 'Renault Sport Experience' driving tuition (for a supplement of €1 in France), Twingo Renault Sport emits 165g of CO2/km. In the context of the French pollution bonus/penalty scheme, the car had a penalty of just €200.

This hot hatch sets the standard in terms of comfort and versatility. In France, the car is fitted with independent, sliding rear seats as standard (on the sports chassis with 16-inch aluminium alloy wheels).

To satisfy the most demanding driving enthusiasts, Twingo Renault Sport is also available with a Cup chassis. This chassis is available with 17-inch Dark Anthracite alloys wheels and, in France, a rear bench seat (which can be removed or folded), all of which generates a weight saving of 17kg.

Twingo Renault Sport also premieres a new Renault Sport body colour which recalls that of Twingo Concept: Altica Grey. Three other metallic paint finishes are available (Pearlescent Black, Extreme Blue, Platine Grey), plus one non-metallic finish (Vif Red).

In France, the start of sales will be on September 11th.

A hot hatch for everybody's taste

From launch, Twingo Renault Sport will be available with a wide range of options to suit every customer's taste. Renault Sport graphics can be applied to the front quarter panels, the rear bumper and can even to the key housing. Inspired by the chequered flag design, these dynamic graphics evoke the world of motor sport. The newcomer also features latest-generation communications technology: hands-free Bluetooth telephone controls
and an audio connection box which permits drivers to connect an MP3 player or iPod® in total safety.

Renault Sport Experience, socially responsible driver training...

With its sharp looks, punchy engine and capable chassis, there's no doubting Twingo Renault Sport's fun-to-drive, sporty character. Competitive pricing (€15,601 in France) means that the car will be the entry point to the Renault Sport range for a new group of customers. Our predictions indicate that nearly half of potential buyers are under 30 years of age. To support these customers buying their first hot hatch, Renault Sport is offering every client in several European markets a service that is completely unique in this segment: the Renault Sport Experience.

Highly-trained instructors will train Twingo

Renault Sport drivers in safe driving techniques (position of hands on the steeringwheel, driving lines, braking, management of the ABS and ESP, etc.).

The Renault Sport Experience is endorsed by Romain Grosjean. He proves that it's possible to be young and passionate about sports driving while remaining socially responsible, both on track and on the road.

Equipment (in France):
Twingo GT:
o Body colour side protective mouldings,
o GT-badged sill,
o Satin grey rear spoiler,
o Chrome exhaust tailpipes,
o TCE 100hp engine,
o Rain and light sensors,
o Ashtray and cigar lighter,
o Boot light,
o 15-inch Noxiane alloy wheels,
o Driver's side one-touch electric window,
o 80W radio-CD with MP3 playback, remote display, fingertip remote control and
RCA socket in the glovebox,
o Extra-tinted rear windows,
o Leather steering wheel and gear knob.

Twingo Renault Sport = Twingo GT, plus
o Specific exterior styling:
- Specific front bumper with foglamp surrounds,
- Specific side skirts,
- Wider front and rear wings,
- Two-tone rear bumper with chrome exhaust tailpipes,
- 16- or 17-inch (on Cup chassis) alloy wheels,
- Dark Gunmetal Grey exterior mirrors and foglamp surrounds.
o Specific interior design:
- Dark Charcoal interior trim,
- Aluminium pedals,
- Leather steeringwheel incorporating thumb rests,
- Renault Sport rev-counter with gearshift indicator light,
- Front seats with additional lateral support, double stitching and Renault Sport
badging,
- Blood Orange seatbelts,
- Renault Sport-badged sills.
o Renault Sport 1.6 16V 133hp engine,
o Sport chassis,
o Fully disconnectable ESP (without emergency braking assist).
Options (in France):
o Front and rear curtain airbags €250
o Climate control €300
o Cup Pack: €450
Cup chassis + 17-inch Dark Anthracite alloy wheels + removable, folding rear bench seat
o Metallic paint €230
o Cruise control with speed limiter €230
o Panoramic sunroof €700
Accessories (in France):
Exterior customization
o 'Grey Shadows' graphics pack: €150
Three shades of grey, on either side of the car, plus rear bumper
o 'Renault Sport Chequers' graphics pack: €45
Renault Sport Chequers graphics available in: White, Anthracite Grey, Cool
Grey and Black, on the two rear pillars
o 'Chess' graphics pack: €107
Renault Sport graphics inspired by Twingo Concept
o Key graphics pack: €9
Graphics pack carried over to the key
Interior detailing
o 'Power Pads' pedal covers €60
in brushed aluminium, inspired by Twingo Concept
o Renault Sport-badged gearshift kit €150
Chrome satin finish zamac gear lever knob, leather and alcantara bellows with
Blood Orange stitching and matching base
o Practical Renault Sport-badged hand brake: €60
Chrome satin finish zamac
o Set of four Renault Sport Chequers rubber floor mats: €120
With brushed aluminium Renault Sport plaque on the driver mat
Two versions: white chequers on black, or black chequers on white
o Set of four Renault Sport Chequers fabric floor mats: €79
With brushed aluminium Renault Sport plaque on the driver mat
Two versions: white chequers on black, or black chequers on white
Connectivity and multimedia
o Hands-free Bluetooth® telephone controls €300 *
o Audio Connection Box €199 *
o Carminat Nomade €529 *
Dayton PM 2050 navigation system (Siemens VDO) with 3.5-inch colour screen and European
maps, with power support
o Carminat Nomade + Bluetooth €599 *
Dayton PM 2050 navigation system (Siemens VDO) with 4.3-inch colour screen and European
maps, plus integrated power support
* including fitment

APPENDIX

Driver tuition programme endorsed by Romain Grosjean: Renault Sport Experience

The programme is composed of classroom-based theory components, and practical components on track:
o Technical introduction to Twingo Renault Sport
o Safety rules, see and be seen, calculating safe distances,
o Environmentally responsible driving
o Driving position
o Position of hands on the steeringwheel
o Weight transfer, traction and handling,
o Grip,
o Braking,
o Driving lines and cornering.
A completion certificate is awarded at the end of the session. In France, the course is available to Twingo Renault Sport buyers for just €1, and for €500 euros for owners of a Renault Sport vehicle.

Romain Grosjean profile

Romain Grosjean was born on April 17, 1986 in Geneva. He is a Swiss-French driver, who races under French colours.

Romain began his career in go-karts, like many drivers. He competed in various French series, and graduated to cars in 2003 via the Swiss Formula Renault 1600 championship, which he won at first attempt.

In 2004, he joined the French Formula Renault 2000 championship, which he claimed the following year with Serge Guérin's SG team.

In 2006, he graduated to the F3 Euroseries, and finished 13th in his first season with Signature.

For 2007, he moved to a more competitive team, ASM Formula 3, which had won the title for the previous three years. Grosjean continued the sequence after a season-long battle with his 'countryman' Sébastien Buemi.

Grosjean will compete in the GP2 Series in 2008 with the ART Grand Prix team, owned by Fred Vasseur and Nicolas Todt. During GP2 testing at Paul Ricard, Grosjean soon appeared near the top of the timesheets (4th) and posted the best rookie performance.

He is a member of the Equipe de France FFSA Circuits team, and part of the Renault Driver Development programme (which also trained Heikki Kovalainen). Thanks to these achievements, he is also a test driver for the ING Renault F1 Team in 2008.