Remember the cheerful little Renault Twingo from 1993? That quirky city car with the smiley face that made urban driving feel like pure joy? Well, it’s back—and this time, it’s electric, affordable, and ready to revolutionize how we think about EVs.
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Renault Twingo : The Return of an Icon
Renault CEO Luca de Meo calls the reborn Twingo the company’s push for “democratizing electric mobility” while keeping the model’s charm and accessibility intact. And he means it. The new Twingo E-Tech Electric will retail at less than €20,000 before incentives—a game-changer when most electric vehicles cost double that amount.
At 3.79 meters long, 1.72 meters wide and 1.49 meters high with a 2.49-meter wheelbase, the 2025 Twingo stays small by today’s standards. But don’t let its compact dimensions fool you. This little powerhouse proves that good things really do come in small packages.
What Makes It Special?
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | Under €20,000 (£20,000 in UK) |
| Range | 263 km (163 miles) WLTP |
| Battery | 27.5 kWh LFP (lithium iron phosphate) |
| Motor Power | 60 kW (81 hp) |
| 0-100 km/h | 12.1 seconds |
| Top Speed | 130 km/h (81 mph) |
| Charging | Standard: 6.6 kW AC / Optional: 11 kW AC + 50 kW DC |
| Doors | 5 (finally!) |
Smart Technology Meets Playful Design
The Twingo offers Renault’s voice assistant “Reno”, already available in the Renault 5 E-Tech, which can control vehicle functions and, through integration with ChatGPT’s 4.0-mini version, provide easy-to-understand general knowledge answers. Imagine asking your car to schedule charging for tomorrow morning—or getting trivia answers during traffic jams.
The interior features an OpenR Link horizontal dual display adding a modern touch that no other car in the segment can match, with a 7-inch digital dashboard and 10-inch central multimedia touchscreen. Pretty impressive for a car that costs less than many smartphones—relatively speaking.
The China Connection
Here’s where it gets interesting. The cells, supplied by CATL, are integrated directly into the pack using cell-to-pack technology. Renault openly acknowledges that developing and producing small cars is often not worth it, as customers are unlikely to pay the price such vehicles would need to cost. Their solution? Strategic partnerships with Chinese battery suppliers to keep costs manageable.
Built for Real Life
The Twingo E-Tech features sliding rear seats, which can move independently forward and backward by 17 cm, plus 50 liters of underfloor storage, 19 liters of cabin storage, and a 360-liter boot capacity. That’s more practical than many SUVs claiming to be “family vehicles.”
The Techno trim adds one-pedal driving—perfect for city traffic where you’re constantly starting and stopping. Standard AC charging is 6.6 kW; an “Advanced Charge” pack raises AC to 11 kW and adds 50 kW DC capability for faster top-ups. Translation: four hours from empty to full at home, or just 30 minutes to 80% at a fast charger.
Safety Without Compromise
The Twingo’s 24 driver assistance systems, including rear automatic emergency braking and occupant safe exit alert, rank its safety at the top of its class. Features like adaptive cruise control, blind spot warning, and lane keeping assistance used to be reserved for luxury vehicles. Now they’re standard on a sub-€20,000 city car.
When Can You Get One?
Production is set to begin in 2026, with European sales following shortly after. Built at the Novo Mesto plant in Slovenia, Twingo E-Tech electric will launch in 2027. Renault has even launched an “R-Pass” program in several countries, allowing enthusiasts to skip the line for early delivery—for just £100.
The Bigger Picture
The French firm says the new Twingo will have 75% lower CO2 emissions over its entire lifecycle compared to the average petrol car. But beyond environmental credentials, this car represents something more significant: proof that electric vehicles don’t need to be expensive to be good.
At a time when many carmakers are shifting towards higher-margin, premium segments, Renault sees the gap in the small car market as “a major growth opportunity”. While competitors abandon affordable segments, Renault is doubling down—and potentially reaping the rewards.
Why This Matters
The Twingo E-Tech Electric isn’t just another EV launch. It’s a statement that sustainable transportation should be accessible to everyone, not just those who can afford premium vehicles. With its retro-inspired design, modern technology, and wallet-friendly price, this cheerful little car might just be the catalyst that finally brings electric vehicles to the masses.
And honestly? That smiley face design feels pretty appropriate right about now.
