As of April 23rd you will be able to walk into a Renault showroom and ask to see the new Twingo Renaultsport 133.
The Twingo Renaultsport 133 gets the latest facelift that’s already been performed on the more sedate versions in the range, bringing with it the distinctive circular nostrils fog lights mounted above the bumper. In the Renaultsport model there is more black detailing around the headlight and fog lights, as well as the F1-inspired front blade and RS badge to signify that this is the sporty one.
Head around to the back and you will spot the black spoiler, new bumper design with diffuser and rear wheel arches for a bit of extra girth. Then there are the gloss black door mirror caps, tinted rear windows, 16-inch wheels and the Renaultsport exhaust with chrome tip.
On the inside, the sporty aura continues with yellow stitching on the steering wheel and seats, together with white detailing for the top of the steering wheel, seat backs and cushions, rev-counter surround and air conditioning controls.
Running costs will be cheaper than the old model thanks to improved fuel economy of 43.5mpg on the combined cycle and lower CO2 emissions (150g/km).
Priced at £13,565 OTR, the Twingo 133 benefits from new standard equipment that includes, Bluetooth, cruise control and a speed limiter, worth more than £500. Options include the excellent Cup chassis (£700) and an exterior Anthracite Style pack (£150), 17-inch Anthracite or Gloss Black alloy wheels for £500, curtain airbags for £250, metallic paint at £460, or the even more striking Renaultsport Liquid Yellow i.d. paint for £1,300 (from end May 2012).
Track-day attendees will be keen to specify the Renaultsport Monitor telemetry system for a tempting £125. They might also want the optional Cup chassis £700 that lowers the ride height by 4mm, adds stiffer springs and dampers, includes 17” Anthracite or Gloss Black alloy wheels and wider 205/40 R17 tyres.
The Renaultsport team have decided not to tinker with the 133’s award-winning mechanicals, so the enthusiastic powerplant and chassis remain the same. The 1.6-litre naturally-aspirated engine still puts out a feisty 133hp at 6,750rpm, with 118lb/ft of torque available at 4,400rpm. Its top speed is a respectable 125 mph, with 0-62 mph dispatched in 8.7 seconds. The brakes are standard across both models with 280mm front discs and 240mm rear discs.
At £13,565 the refreshed Twingo 133 goes head-to-head with the new Suzuki Swift Sport at £13,499. That should make for a very close battle and it will be interesting to see whether it is France or Japan who turns out to be victorious.
