Tell me about the Renault Twingo E-Tech

The original Renault Twingo was first launched in 1993, when the French firm's design boss decided to replace the much loved Renault 4 with something more like a minivan. The name “Twingo” came from a mix of three popular dances - the "Twist," "Swing," and "Tango" and this little city car hit the right note with buyers becoming an instant icon thanks to its combination of quirky design and practicality. 

Aimed at people looking for a small affordable runaround, its boxy, characterful shape and innovative use of space - it had sliding rear seats and a large, bright cabin - gave it an edge over its competitors. Over time, the Twingo underwent various transformations. The second generation in 2007 brought more modern styling and greater refinement, though some felt it had lost a bit of its original character. In 2014, the third generation introduced a rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout, borrowing elements from the Smart ForFour and it picked up a host of awards before it was discontinued in the UK in 2019 amid flagging sales.

But now, Renault is gearing up to relaunch it as a fully electric model bringing its blend of retro charm to the affordable end of the EV market. Don’t confuse this with Renault's electric version of the third generation Twingo - which wasn’t sold in the UK - this is an all new car and will sit alongside other electric models in Renaults range - the Megane E-Tech, the Scenic E-Tech, the Renault 5 E-Tech and the forthcoming Renault 4 E-Tech.

What will the new Renault Twingo E-Tech look like?

The Twingo has always been about being small, affordable, and fun and this model is no different. Ginny is out in Paris, right now, seeing the Twingo ahead of its official reveal at the Paris Motor Show this week - so watch this space for the video! Renault has shown how the 2026 Renault Twingo E-Tech will embrace its heritage, but with a modern twist. It features illuminated headlamp surrounds which give it a friendly face - in the bright green of the image below we think it looks like a cute automotive Tree Frog! You can also spot circular illuminated door handles, along with a numerical charging indicator on the front bonnet so you’ll always know how much charge is left in its battery. If the Renault 5 E-Tech is anything to go by, expect plenty of quirky features to remind you of the original car.

The new Twingo is being designed with urban life in mind, like the original, so practicality is key and its four doors make it accessible for passengers. The interior is set to be minimalistic, but should be packed with modern technology like the rest of Renault’s electric range. Inside, expect a user-friendly interface, sustainable material and plenty of smart features to make city driving easy. The exterior will also reflect its eco-conscious engineering. Renault is committed to reducing the car’s environmental impact, with the brand saying that the new Twingo will have 75% lower CO2 emissions over its entire lifecycle compared to the average petrol car. 

Watch out for our first look video of the Twingo which will be coming soon to our YouTube channel, if you aren’t already a subscriber head over there and sign up so you get a notification when it’s landed.

When will the Renault Twingo E-Tech go on sale in the UK? 

The new Renault Twingo E-Tech is expected to go on sale in the UK in 2026, with Renault planning to target buyers looking for an affordable, compact EV for city driving. This isn’t just a facelift of the old Twingo; it’s a completely new electric car, designed to meet the growing demand for budget-friendly EVs. 

While it may be an all-new car Renault is aiming to cut their development time from five years to just two two and a half years as it seeks to stave off intense competition from Chinese rivals who bring cars to market much faster. In April 2024, Reuters reported that Renault had already started engineering work on the electric Twingo model. It will be developed and produced by Ampere, Renault’s new spin-off brand and will be built in Europe, 

How much will the Renault Twingo E-Tech cost in the UK?

Let’s talk money shall we? Renault has made it clear that accessibility (which means affordable) will be the key to this car's success and we expect the Twingo to start at under £17,000 - or around £90 a month - putting it in competition with other affordable EVs like the Citroën e-C3, the Hyundai INSTER, the Leap Motors T03, the Dacia Spring and the forthcoming VW ID.2. Mind you, that's not confirmed, and we do know that Renault is going to offer it in France for under 20,000 euros, so here's hoping that prices are as low as they need to be if the Twingo is to compete with the Spring.

What battery range will the new Renault Twingo electric have?

Renault is focusing on making the Twingo a practical urban runaround, and that means the range is tailored to short commutes and city driving. While its not a long-range cruiser, the Twingo electric is expected to deliver a range of around 170 miles on a full charge and will be very efficient with Renault’s boss Luca De Meo claiming that it will deliver a "best-in-class for efficiency" apparently delivering 6.2 miles for every kWh of its battery.

Di Meo also explained that this will be achieved in part down to better thermal management of the battery, something VW Group has been using successfully to eke more range out of the VW ID.4, Skoda Enyaq recently.  While 170 miles might seem modest compared to some of the larger electric cars on the market, we think it's the right range for a car that will spend most of its time in the city and of course a smaller battery helps to keep the costs down.

Will the new Renault Twingo E-TECH be fast?

Performance isn’t likely to be the Twingo’s headline feature—it’s a city car through and through. Expect it to focus more on efficiency and ease of use rather than neck-snapping speed. But given that it's an EV we still expect it to feel nippy around town, with enough pep to handle quick maneuvers in traffic. While we don’t yet have exact figures on the power or acceleration times, it’s safe to say the Twingo will prioritize city driving and efficiency to get the most driving range out of its battery. Given how Renaults other electric cars drive we also expect it to be smooth and comfortable to drive.

Will the Twingo share much of its DNA with other electric Renaults?

Yes, the new Twingo will share quite a bit of its technology with Renault’s other electric offerings. Renault has been investing heavily in electrification through its sub-brand, Ampere, and the Twingo will benefit from this. It will sit below the new Renault 5 and Renault 4 in Renault’s lineup, forming part of a family of retro-inspired electric vehicles​ The Twingo’s battery and motor setup may share similarities with other small EVs in Renault’s lineup, but it will be tailored for urban use, keeping costs down while still offering a competitive range. The focus here is on making electric driving accessible and while the larger Renault 4 will have more power and range, the Twingo’s DNA is all about being compact, efficient, and fun to drive​.

So what do we think of the new Renault Twingo E-Tech

We love it! And can’t wait to see it in the metal. Renault has embraced the transition to electric cars and we think they are coming out with exciting, fun, efficient - and affordable - models. The new electric Renault Twingo E-Tech promises to blend the charm of the original Twingo with modern technology, offering a smart, efficient, and eco-friendly solution for urban living. With a competitive price starting around £17,000, a range of around 170 miles and cute styling we think Renault is ‘on pointe’ with its reinvention of the original.