Renault will not give us a fully-blown RS version of the compact Twingo, saying that the recently unveiled GT version will remain the hottest one in the range.
The fastest version of the Renault Twingo now uses the GT moniker and is powered by a 108hp (110PS) version of the turbocharged 0.9-litre three-cylinder engine.
The main reason for Renault not creating an even-faster Twingo is its really tight engine bay as Renault Sport boss Patrice Ratti confessed to Autocar.
“We think the GT is the right balance between power, agility and cost,” said Ratti. “With that power and the steering and suspension changes, it is really fun to drive, and we’ve been able to do all that without adding too much complication and therefore cost.
“An RS would need around 150bhp, which presents all sorts of challenges. There’s not much room for a four-cylinder engine — which would be the cheapest way to get 150bhp. To get a three-cylinder engine to 150bhp would mean redesigning the engine, and at that point the project becomes very expensive — probably too much for an A-segment hot hatch.”
The Twingo GT is offered with a manual gearbox while the chassis has been revised, with tweaks in its suspension, ESP calibration and steering, all of them with the kind help of Renault Sport.
It may not come with big numbers attached to it, but it should prove quite fun to drive.
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