Outlook: This is how the Renault Twingo comes back under 20,000 euros – “People don’t expect that anymore”

September 1, 2025

Concept = production

We’ll fall right in with you. How much of the concept car will we soon see on the streets? Bhambra laughs: “A lot. Put the concept and production versions of the new Twingo side by side and you hardly see any difference. The dashboard has also remained almost the same. We only changed the materials.

One task

What is the strongest point of the new Twingo? For Bhambra, it’s simple: the Twingo has always had one job. As much space inside, on as little space outside as possible. “That idea still works. A Twingo must remain recognizable: practical, playful, but practical.”

More leg room, smart back seat

The new Twingo is not only compact, but also more cleverly laid out. “The demo was on a shortened R5 chassis, which limited legroom. In the production version, we fixed that. Note the back seat: it is enormously practical. It can be folded down in two parts ánd it’s movable. Unprecedented in this segment. People don’t expect that anymore, but it’s just part of the Twingo.”

Affordable and electric

The compact city car is going to be Renault’s entry-level electric car, with a starting price of less than 20,000 euros. How will they do it? Bhambra: “Smaller battery pack, so less range, but also a much lower price. Perfect for the city and short drives outside. Smart parking, lots of space inside and affordable electric driving. The new Renault R4 is more for families. The Twingo? That’s the compact smart car.”

Design Competition

Bhambra himself has a special feeling about the new Twingo. “We did a design competition internally and my sketch won. That concept car is now coming out of the factory almost one-to-one. In addition, I lead Advanced Design. All production cars come through my studio. Also concepts and specials, like the 5 Turbo 3E.”

Sandeep Bhambra in conversation with the author

Playful, but not crazy

The Twingo remains a cheerful car, but without bland frills. “We like playful details, as long as they are usable and light. It should be a fine car for every day, not a gimmick. The concept already had five doors and it will stay that way. The production car is more spacious and practical. Exactly what we wanted.”

Small outside, big inside

So the return of the compact Renault is not a retro trip according to Bhambra, but a clever translation to now. Small outside, big inside, cleverly laid out – and surprisingly true to the playful concept car. Or as Bhambra says, “A Twingo must remain a Twingo.”