The first major joint project between Renault and Daimler is progressing well, as these latest spy pictures prove.
Replacements for the Renault Twingo and Smart ForFour are being developed simultaneously, and will share the same chassis and engines when they both go on sale in 2014.
Although the test mule shown here only has three doors, the finished product will have five, boosting practicality and giving Smart’s parent company Mercedes a direct rival to the Audi A1 Sportback. The Twingo will battle it out with more affordable models like the Hyundai i10 and VW up!.
Cutting costs has clearly taken precedence in the decision to develop these new models; not only will the ForFour and Twingo share their underpinnings, the new Smart ForTwo will use a shortened version of the same platform, too.
The upshot is that unlike their predecessors, the new Twingo and ForFour will feature the same rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout as the two-seater Smart, with the engine crammed in under the boot floor.
Given the limited size of the engine bay, expect a choice of three-cylinder petrol and diesel engines to be offered on both models, as well as a full-electric version of the ForFour.
For an alternative review of the latest Renault Twingo Hatchback visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk
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Looks like it might be more like the excellent Gen One Twingo than the present, rather ordinary iteration. Good news if so - G1 Twingos were different and delightful.
With RWD, expect the next Twingo RS to be pure awesomeness.
It'll be really interesting car for Renault which I hope looks as good as the new Clio, quality as good as the up! and the price that doesn't give too much to the bigger Dacia Sandero.
That said, I think Audi A1 buyers will be put off by a car based on a Twingo far more than an A1 being based on a Polo. Two different classes of car.
I agree the Twingo RS will be a giggle with rear engine and RWD!
Definitely an interesting car from the sounds of it.
Hopefully more of a spiritual successor to the original Twingo than the current gen, which should really be a Clio.
Hopefully, with it sharing a platform with the ForFour, it wont be *too* big.
Would be nice to see a successor to the Smart Roadster from the platform too!
Yes, judging from the one ride I had in the original Twingo, it was a great shame an RHD version was not produced. It would probably have laughable accident protection by present standards though. When the French flair kicks in they are unbeatable but, alas, it's not there always! For consistent but dull products, look for vehicles from elsewhere.
Eurojunk.
Another epithet I note!