More than 30 per cent...
More than 30 per cent of drivers travelling in France get lost according to a recent survey carried out by Michelin. Ten per cent spend more than one hour hunting for their destination or the correct route and surprisingly, half of the motorists crossing the Channel had not actually purchased a map before leaving Britain!
The current version...
The current version has never been sold in Britain, but is a massive hit across Europe. It isn"t a big money-spinner for Renault, because of the slim profit margins on small cars, but bosses hope to shift the replacement up a segment, so they will be able to charge a premium. The Twingo will still serve as an entry-level car in some countries, but would be marketed as a trendy fashion accessory in others, which would include the UK.
In order to steal a march over the two-seater Smart, the Twingo will retain the three-door, four-seat layout of the existing model, while development costs will be kept down by using the same underpinnings as the current Clio.
Renault has decided not to use its new B-platform, which is the starting point for the Modus mini-MPV and sister firm Nissan"s Micra. However, even the Clio chassis represents a massive improvement over the existing Twingo, which has been produced in its current form since 1993.