Renault brings an updated Twingo to the Brussels Motor Show and already shows its interior

It seems that Renault has turned to nostalgia for its new all-electric models; perhaps this will help it win over new generations, those who have never seen, known, heard or driven an original Renault 5 Turbo, and maybe they will opt for a Renault 5 E-Tech. Tastes aside, another upcoming revival in the French brand’s electric lineup will be the Twingo, the city car that conquered the world with its distinctive styling in the early 1990s.

The Renault Twingo will return to the French brand’s lineup in a new generation as a fully electric vehicle, a project that Renault has been cooking up since at least late 2023, when at an event they presented the first “show car” or prototype, which was later taken to the Paris Motor Show. Once again the Twingo is at a show, this time the Brussels Motor Show, where the brand has taken it and has also made small exterior modifications that bring it closer to the production model, while showing its interior in all its splendour.

Starting with the exterior, we see that the new Renault Twingo prototype now features a grille-type air intake in the lower part of the bumper, right where the black-painted section is; meanwhile the two black bumpers at each end now have a rear section with a honeycomb pattern achieved through 3D printing. On the sides, the wheel arches are no longer as prominent and we can see a guard strip next to the mirrors and the removal of the light strip on the door handles. Finally, at the rear, the design of the tail lights has been modified.

But the big news of the Twingo at this Brussels Motor Show will undoubtedly be the chance to see its interior, hidden until now, with an airy design reminiscent of other new electric models such as the Renault 5 E-Tech, yet with echoes of the original Twingo. This design has also been conceived for a car intended for everyday use and, to make it more comfortable, it has been provided with storage spaces such as those under the dashboard, in the centre tunnel, or in the flat space below the cylinder that runs horizontally across the dashboard, for keeping small items within reach.

In terms of technology, Renault has equipped the Twingo prototype with an infotainment system consisting of a 10.1-inch multimedia screen, which presents a series of graphics promising a unique onboard experience. Still, I think most drivers will consider it more important that it be easy to use and controlled by an operating system that handles it smoothly. There will also be buttons for controlling the climate system, with red standing out for the hazard lights, all of them encased in a translucent bubble reminiscent of the original Twingo’s.

On its seats the Renault Twingo receives an upholstery inspired by the eye-catching colours of the first-generation Twingo, subtly combined with the body colour chosen, a colour that will also feature on the front door panels and on the part of the dashboard facing the passenger. It is worth noting that, as is typical of a prototype also used to test new technologies and materials, the floor is made of black-tinted cork, presented as a sustainable yet durable material.

The rear seats offer room for two people on a split-folding bench that slides and folds in equal parts (50/50), thus providing great flexibility when it comes to expanding the boot capacity for carrying larger objects. Finally, Renault has equipped it with a rounded glass roof that gives the interior great brightness and also creates a greater sense of spaciousness.

Besides all this, the designers and engineers at Renault have equipped it with other practical solutions aimed at making life on board the Twingo easier, such as the magnetic area located on the headrests of the front seats, which lets rear passengers place their mobile phone in front of them, or the elastic strap for holding a bottle. Other stylistic details are the nods to the urban environment the Twingo is aimed at, such as the seat-adjustment wheels on the front seats, which resemble those of a skateboard.

As we already knew, Renault is sticking to its plans for the Twingo to go on sale in 2026, with the aim of keeping its entry price below 20,000 euros before incentives. It will be manufactured in Europe and will arrive to expand Renault’s E-Tech range, which consists of the Renault 5, the Renault 4, the Megane and the Scenic.