Renault Wind – Everything you need to know

History Renault Wind

The story of the Renault Wind began with a roguish concept car shown at the 2004 Paris Motor Show. It would take until 2010 before the first examples rolled out of the Slovenian car factory. In this article, we tell you everything you need to know about this well-intentioned but grandiose failed two-seater.

Disappointing sales figures forced Renault to pull the plug on the project as early as 2012. Despite all French hopes of selling at least 75,000 copies annually, the counter stopped at only 14,000. This puts the Wind in the rare category of cars in which the design process took longer than the production phase.

Competitors

The car was launched in an era when roofless versions of compact city cars were quite popular. Car buyers were enticed with models like the Peugeot 207 CC, Mini Convertible or the Opel Tigra Twintop. The Ford StreetKa, Mitsubishi Colt CZC and the Smart Roadster were rarer. And for sporty drivers, there was the Mazda MX-5.

Design Renault Wind

The Wind’s striking design is not to blame. Small and compact, some say too narrow and too tall. The Wind stands out with a high rising rear end with built-in spoiler. The folding roof design – going from closed to open takes only 12 seconds – is very reminiscent of the Ferrari 575 SuperAmerica.

Once in the Wind, it is striking that Renault made strange choices. Efficient would have been to mount a dashboard from the Twingo. Instead, the French pulled out the purse strings and fitted this convertible with a separately designed instrument panel. Unfortunately, the much oversized steering wheel that was attached in well more Renaults of the time remained.

Two-seater

Renault made the Wind a distinct two-seater. And that’s just as well: the space behind the front seats is so cramped that it makes no sense to cram luggage or additional occupants in here. However, the Wind does have a usable luggage space: with 360 liters of capacity, much more usable than that of a MINI Convertible (125 liters) or Mazda MX-5 (150 liters).

Engines Renault Wind

You could order the Renault Wind with two gasoline engines, borrowed from the Twingo: a 1.2-liter turbo four-cylinder with 100 hp or an atmospheric 1.6-liter with 133 hp. Both come with a five-speed manual transmission. The atmospheric 1.6-liter was also available as a Gordini version, with distinctive blue paint color and white stripes. Thus, you almost turn your Wind into a miniature Alpine.

Equipment levels Renault Wind

There were roughly three versions for your Renault Wind. Dynamique was the base, but came standard with 16-inch alloys and air conditioning. Dynamique S brought 17-inch alloy wheels and climate control; the Collection version distinguished itself with a high-gloss black sunroof and red and chrome interior accents.

Used Renault Wind

Because of its disappointingly low production numbers, the Renault Wind has been and remains a rarity. Those looking for this car will have to look carefully. Still, this car is reasonably accessibly priced. If you really want to know everything about the Renault Wind, then it is nice that the technology of this generation Renault Twingo – and thus the Renault Wind – turns out to be quite reliable. In short: who dares?