Renault Twingo RS :: possible performance variant spied, Australian head “keen”

Snapped by CarAdvice's spy photographers in Spain, the suped up Renault Twingo has all the hallmarks of an upcoming sports derivative of the rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive super mini.

Appearing to be riding on lowered suspension with larger mismatched wheels and upgraded brakes, the black Twingo has a unique twin exhaust, more aggressive rear diffuser, larger rear wing and small rear-quarter-mounted air intakes.

Power outputs are expected to be up – mirroring speculation surrounding a recently spied Smart ForTwo Brabus – with the Twingo’s standard 66kW/135Nm turbocharged 0.9-litre three-cylinder petrol engine tipped to be boosted to around 80-95kW.

Based on the same platform as the third-generation Smart ForTwo and ForFour – and reportedly sharing up to 70 per cent of parts – the standard Renault Twingo is also available with a 51kW/91Nm 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol.

Speaking to CarAdvice at today's Megane RS275 Trophy launch in Tasmania, Renault Australia managing director Justin Hocevar said while the spy shots and model remain "unconfirmed", a Renault Sport-fettled Twingo is something the local arm is interested in.

“There’s been no confirmation of an RS Twingo,” Hocevar said.

"I wish there was, but there's not.

"But yes, I think it's fair to say that if that vehicle did become available, and it's a big 'if', we'd certainly be interested in it.

"I think it's a very exciting proposition given its looks, its platform, the rear-engine, the rear-drive, [hypothetically it] would create a very unique proposition in its class."

Back in April, the local MD told CarAdvice that a Twingo RS would be something the Australian division would "entertain", provided performance, specification and pricing all stood up well.

"I think those statements remain true to some extent," Hocevar said today.

"We're big Twingo fans, so we've run a number of scenarios to try and find a way to bring that, let's say passenger vehicle range, [to Australia]. But our focus is on sustainable growth of the brand and we can't spread ourselves too thin.

"But it's true that Renault Sport vehicles operate at a different price point, they've got different competitors and we can take a different view to the way the business case works.

"We'd have to look at the business case on it to know for sure that it could work but, hypothetically, if they did decide to go down that path, we'd do the business case and if it worked then we'd be keen."

Early speculation suggests the tuned Twingo could reach overseas markets by late 2015.

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