A storm is brewing in the coupé-cabrio market! This is the Wind – a
clever two-seater based on the Twingo which seeks to offer a real
breath of fresh air for drop-top buyers. Auto Express was first to
drive the desirable roadster.
Renault has taken a new look at folding hard-tops and come up with a
unique and surprisingly practical solution. Twist a handle above your
head, push a button on the dash and in 12 seconds the single roof panel
flips back on its hinges, resting on top of the boot, before a cover
slots neatly into place. The Ferrari 575 Superamerica used a similar
mechanism, but it’s never been seen on a car in this class.
The benefit of ditching tiny rear seats is that with the roof up or
down there’s an impressive 270-litre boot – roughly the size of the
Clio’s. And at only 22kg, the roof and its mechanism keep the car’s
weight to a minimum.
The chunky, aggressive design is certain to turn heads. Chrome cowls on
the roof cover and an integrated boot lip spoiler give the rear its
unique identity, while there’s an entirely new front end and steeply
raked screen. On our South of France test route the car caused quite a
stir, with style-conscious residents reaching for their camera phones.
Inside, familiar switchgear faces you as you sit low in heavily
bolstered seats. The trade-off is limited visibility; the pillar box
rear window gives you little idea of what’s going on behind, and the
gauze wind deflector obscures what you can see.
You can choose from two petrol engines: the high-revving, 133bhp
1.6-litre unit lifted from the Twingo Renaultsport or a smoother 100bhp
1.2 turbo. We drove the former, which needs to be worked hard to
produce its best. However, past 5,000rpm it races to the red line
accompanied by a brilliantly raspy exhaust note. For most buyers,
though, the smaller, quieter engine will be easier to live with around
town.
Despite weighing around 150kg more than the Renaultsport Twingo, and
lacking the more extreme hatch’s hard-edged suspension, the Wind is
huge fun in bends. The Renaultsport engineers’ input really shows:
while the electric steering offers little feedback, the nose turns in
sharply and the car feels light on its feet. It has clearly been
infused with Renaultsport DNA, despite there being no RS badge on the
boot.
The French firm deserves plenty of credit. It’s created a car which
appeals to both keen drivers and style-conscious buyers alike –
something that’s guaranteed to win the Wind many admirers.
Rival: Peugeot 207 CC
The craze for affordable coupé-cabrios began with the 206 CC in 2001.
This variant picks up where its predecessor left off, with good looks
and entertaining dynamics. It’s just a shame roof-down driving robs you
of a usable boot.
* Price: £17,300
* Engine: 1.6-litre petrol
* Transmission: 5-spd manual, fwd
* Power: 133bhp
* Torque: 160Nm
* 0-62mph: 9.2 seconds
* Top speed: 125mph
* Economy: 40.3mpg
* CO2: 165g/km
* Equipment: Auto lights and wipers, 17-inch alloy wheels, air-conditioning, cruise control, heated rear screen, aluminium pedals, CD with iPod connection
* On sale: Now
Disqus - noscript
I had hoped this car might look better in real life than it does in photographs. I saw a convoy of five of these in Toulon yesterday and no, I am afraid it looks just as lumpy and ill proportioned in the flesh. Renault have also made the classic error of ending up with a convertible, which weighs far more than the equivalent saloon. This means it will be slower and handle worse. With its grotesque looks, it will not even appeal to the fashionistas.
Wilson
Not sure I fancy a car with "WIND" highlighted on the back. Possibly not the best choice of name unless its also eco friendly and powered by baked beans...
Who at Renault 'passed' this wind?? (coughh**). Junk.
Renault desperately trying to be different,yet again.Their models (like citroen) seem to date so quickly.
Lets hope their reliability,fit and finish is up with the likes of the German makers.
I think it's name is quite apt as It does appear to look a little bloated around the middle, which is a shame, because had it been designed with a wider track and body and larger wheels, it'd look quite mean & moody...
Strange! The name "Wind" was used on a advanced prototype 2 seater open top sports (Renault) during the eighties, to test the public reactions. The car was highly advanced and well accepted but the name didn't go down to well (if I seemed to remember), Yet here we are in 2010 with a 2 seater built by Renault ressurecting the same name!
That must be the tackiest interior I have seen in many years.
Heaven help the person who tries to reverse into a parking space with what appears to be nil rear visibility
'Chunky, aggressive design' 'Certain to turn heads'?????
The only way this grave mistake is going to turn heads will be due to surprised onlookers doing a double-take to see whether that wierd bit of design that just passed really had a Renault badge on....
Get a life, Renault. And PLEASE sack your current design team.
can't renault even TRY to do what VW are doing with the Bluesport? Now THAT's a really stunning bit of automotive art.
Love the daring shape like Megane's tail. Hate the name 'Wind' - as if following the tailspin of a VW Scirocco. I'm proud of Renault but the name lacks originality . Very forgettable, as well.
I'm not sure what medication the journalist was on - the report is far too kind to the point of being in fantasy land.
The "Wind" is a truly horrendous design, lumpy, dumpy, too high and lacking in flair. It is cataclysmically ugly.
Renault must be relying on none of their dealerships being positioned near branches of Specsavers.
The Renault "Toad" might have been a more apt name.
Considering what Renault did with the Spyder all those years ago, and what Ford did with the StreetKa, it beggars belief that this one was signed off - it looks like it was drawn up by a toy maker - Barbie will be thrilled.
What a stupid little effort. Micra CC's funny looking sister.
...was walking through Brussels and saw one of these yesterday. It looks much worse in the flesh - definately not one I would buy and I am probably in the bracket of people they are trying to target (I just purchased an MX5).... think this car might not last too long.
Two words - Mini Midas.
I actually like the looks plus it does seem to be more practical than it's competitors as it does have somewhere to store more than a change of underwear
We bought a Wind 1.2 GT Line on the 28th April and after one 300-mile round trip rejected it, returned it for a refund and got our Tigra back. It is NOT a convertible for serious driving and is aptly named as the wind turbulence and noise inside the car is so horrendous you can't hear the radio, Tomtom or each other AND suffer a 50% increase in fuel consumption. Armrest is too low to lean on and storage space nil but you would put up with this if it was a nice drive - it's not! If you want a car with a good stereo and a clever poser's roof for around town it's the car for you, but do insist on a proper test drive on the open road first!
Took a test drive in one of these (16 VVT version) as they never had any 12i Obrut versions to test (very strange if you ask me) as that`s the one I was interested in, all ended in tears (was struck by grit & road flotsam too) nice concept on paper, maybe that`s where it should belong & please lose the gay roof & make it a hardtop, should`ve fell in love with its coyote ugliness but never. The bloke in the showroom said it was one for the future (a Lotus Europa for the 20`s but never stated which century.
Very sad day Renault, back the drawing pad but not an infants one.