2008 Renault Twingo RS
1 Feb, 2008
15 Comments 
Renault has always been the unsung hero of the hot-hatch world with its potent Megane variants, and now it has unveiled a pocket-sized rocket in the new Renault Twingo RS.
Proving that size isn’t everything, the Twingo RenaultSport is sure to be fun, fuel efficient, and agile.
Rather than force-feeding the 1.6-litre engine, Renault has gently coaxed an impressive 99kW in its naturally aspirated guise.
The unique ground effects kit certainly makes for an attractive and aggressive package, taken from Renault’s 2006 Paris concept.
The Twingo RS is set to make its official debut at this year Geneva motor show.
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February 1st, 2008 at 7:10 pm
What a great looking little car! Renault Australia need this and the new Clio (why isn’t it here???) badly.
Vote:February 1st, 2008 at 9:45 pm
That’ll do for the P platers won’t it, cute little number.
Vote:February 1st, 2008 at 10:01 pm
Jbot, easy answer. There’s a shortage. :(
By the time it gets to Australia, Europe will have a newer model. :(
Steve
Vote:February 1st, 2008 at 10:24 pm
Agree with JBOT.
Looks a tad Holden Astra on front.
Vote:February 2nd, 2008 at 8:30 am
Great looking hot hatch!
However in 2008 I expected a few more Kw than 99.
The toyota Corolla SX in 1989 had 100 kW from its 4A-GE (1.6 litre) engine.
Still love to see it here.
Vote:February 2nd, 2008 at 8:55 am
I’m sure its lighter than the Corolla. I’d rather have a better power to weight ratio than more grunt. Just look at the Lotus Exige against any other supercar on track. The Lotus wins most of the time. Not to mention fuel economy.
Vote:February 2nd, 2008 at 9:07 am
Isn’t a Twingo smaller than the Clio, which is roughly the same size as the Mazda2 or Yaris? So 99kw might be enough for a car of this size.
Vote:February 2nd, 2008 at 9:55 am
naughtyius, how on earth do you see a Holden Astra here? Astra has a grille between the headlights, just for starters!
Vote:February 2nd, 2008 at 10:00 am
No doubt the twingo has a better power to weight ratio, probably faster and more efficent too, maybe i just expected a little more than 99kW 19 years on.
100kw used to be a “benchmark” output for a hot hatch. Surely a tweak or two could have it reach this number.
Still if the money was right here in OZ it would sell well.
Vote:February 2nd, 2008 at 10:33 am
The 99kW factor might be to satisfy other car markets. Some countries have engine capacity limits with insurance, rego, etc. Some countries have power limitations.
Steve
Vote:February 2nd, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Great looking little car.
Having driven a lot of smaller cars in Europe I can honestly say 99KW will be perfect for such a small car.
It probably weights around 900kg giving it a good power/weight ratio and fuel economy to boot.
We definitely need the Clio and the twingo to hit AUS. Hopefully it wont take forever.
It would be great to see the new laguna over here also.
Vote:February 2nd, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Only slightly better looking than its “sister car” the Nissan Micra.. but only just. Either way I’d probably go for a Fiesta XR-4 or Astra SRi
Vote:February 2nd, 2008 at 4:31 pm
99kW in a tiny thing like this is great!
You can’t use the old Corolla SX as a comparison to this; I mean, most of the Corolla equvalent hot hatches today make the right side of 150kW.
Vote:February 2nd, 2008 at 5:44 pm
GOLFSCHWEIN I did say ‘tad’ like Astra…..Headlights and upswept small air intakes to side on front is similar (the Corolla and Aurion have similar look…upswept).
Great looker and classy.
Vote:February 3rd, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Damn, the rear end is ugly. Looks like a cross between an Echo and a Megane.
Compared to a Polo GTi, well, there’s no comparison, is there. Polo has a lazy 110kw form the 1.8l, add a reflash for a totally tractable 145kw, or go a bit mad with the look-alike larger turbo and get well over 200kw……
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