The 2027 Renault Twingo E-Tech EV - A Cheeky Electric Game-Changer

Renault's latest electric endeavor, the 2027 Twingo E-Tech EV, is more than just a car; it's a statement. Reviving one of their most cherished and characterful nameplates, Renault has set out to deliver an affordable, engaging, and genuinely charming electric city car. With a target starting price of under £20,000/€20,000 and a bold retro design that harks back to the beloved 1990s original, the Twingo E-Tech is positioned to be a significant "game-changer" in the burgeoning A-segment EV market, directly challenging rivals like the Dacia Spring and Citroën e-C3.

Design: A Bubble of Nostalgic Energy

The production-ready Twingo E-Tech adheres remarkably closely to the concept car shown in 2023, successfully translating the original’s cheeky charisma into the modern electric age. Its design philosophy is pure joie de vivre—cheerful, expressive, and undeniably cute.

The exterior is defined by a one-box, bubbly silhouette and numerous nostalgic touches. The large, doe-eyed half-moon LED headlights and the three distinct bonnet vents are direct, charming nods to the 1990s Twingo. Even the steep rake of the windscreen, flowing seamlessly into the short bonnet, recreates the original's distinctive profile. Available in bold, colour-pop paint options like Mango Yellow and Absolute Red, the Twingo embraces its playful side. Despite its diminutive size—measuring just 3.79 metres in length—its extended wheelbase and wheels pushed out to the corners give it a surprising, sturdy presence on the street. This design choice also aids in maximizing interior space.

Interior and Practicality: Small on the Outside, Big on Ingenuity

If the exterior is charming, the interior is where Renault truly demonstrates its clever packaging and fun factor. The cabin successfully feels a size up from its A-segment footprint, providing a surprising level of practicality and modularity.

The Twingo E-Tech stands out with its standard five-door configuration—a significant practical advantage over the original. The real highlight, however, is the two independent, sliding rear seats. They can move 170 mm back and forth, allowing owners to choose between ample rear legroom (up to 160 mm knee room) or an impressively generous boot capacity of up to 360 litres. This versatility is a rare and welcome feature in this segment, even surpassing some larger rivals.

Design-wise, the interior is full of quirky, colourful details: body-coloured dashboard inserts, a headliner featuring the ‘Twingo alphabet,’ and witty messages scattered around the cabin, such as the “ouvert d'esprit” (open-minded) reminder on the tailgate. Practicality is further enhanced by around 19 litres of handy storage and YouClip anchor points, borrowed from Dacia, allowing owners to easily clip in accessories like custom cup holders or storage bags. Critically, Renault has also retained a smattering of physical controls, allowing for easy adjustment of essential functions like climate control without diving into the touchscreen.

Technology and Connectivity: Google-Powered Intelligence

The Twingo is anything but a stripped-back budget car when it comes to technology. It features a modern dual-screen setup comprising a 7-inch digital driver's display and a 10-inch central multimedia screen, standard across all models.

Higher trim levels benefit from the sophisticated OpenR Link multimedia system with Google built-in. This integration brings the power of Google Maps for real-time navigation and charging station finder, Google Assistant for voice commands, and access to over 100 apps. The graphics are deliberately bright and cheerful, matching the Twingo’s personality. The comprehensive safety suite includes up to 24 Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS), such as adaptive cruise control and occupant safe exit alert—features typically found in higher-segment vehicles. A welcome detail is the 'My Safety Switch' shortcut, allowing drivers to easily configure and disable unwanted safety systems. The inclusion of Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) compatibility, which allows the car to power external devices, is a future-forward feature for a city car.

Performance and Range: Urban Efficiency

Powering the Twingo E-Tech is an 80 hp (60kW) electric motor driving the front wheels. While the 0-62 mph time of 12.1 seconds is not segment-leading, the car's real-world relevance lies in its urban-focused performance: a sprightly 0-31 mph sprint in 3.85 seconds. This ensures it feels nippy and agile for the cut-and-thrust of city traffic. The chassis, built on Renault's new AmpR Small platform, promises an engaging drive aided by a lowered centre of gravity. The car also features a 'one-pedal' mode, ideal for comfortable urban commuting.

The car uses a modest 27.5 kWh LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery. LFP technology is cheaper and more sustainable, aligning with Renault’s goal to drastically reduce the car’s carbon footprint by 60% compared to a similar ICE city car. This small, lightweight battery contributes to an impressive energy consumption figure and a competitive official WLTP range of up to 163 miles. While some rivals offer more, this is more than sufficient for the average European daily commute (estimated at around 22 miles) and is a usable figure for a car primarily designed for city life. Real-world range is expected to be between 110 and 140 miles, depending on conditions.

Charging is flexible. A 6.6 kW AC charger is standard, offering a 10-100% charge in about 4 hours and 15 minutes. Crucially, an optional charging pack upgrades this to 11 kW AC (reducing 10-100% to under 3 hours) and adds 50 kW DC rapid charging capability, enabling a 10-80% top-up in a swift 30 minutes. The optional DC charging will be a must-have for those venturing beyond the city on a regular basis.

Conclusion: Accessibility Meets Personality

The 2027 Renault Twingo E-Tech EV is a brilliantly conceived electric car that achieves its mission: to democratize electric mobility without sacrificing personality. Its key pillars are affordability, practicality, and character.

The sub-£20,000 price point, coupled with its highly efficient powertrain, makes it a genuine contender for new and current city-car owners looking to make the switch to electric. The retro-chic styling is a guaranteed head-turner, and the cleverly modular, spacious interior, particularly the sliding rear seats, sets a new standard for versatility in the A-segment. While the DC fast charging is optional and the range is strictly city-focused, the overall package is an irresistible blend of function and fun.

The Twingo E-Tech is not just a revival; it is a thoughtful, modern reinterpretation of a classic. It’s a "bubble of energy" that promises to put a smile on your face and a serious dent in the notion that affordable EVs must be dull. With its planned 2027 arrival, the Twingo is poised to become the accessible, spirited electric runabout the market has been waiting for.