Renault Switches to Rear Drive for New Twingo City Car

Renault SA's front-drive Twingo city car will shift to a rear-engine/rear-drive architecture when the next-generation model debuts in March.

Renault says the radically redesigned minicar has more interior room, a smaller turning radius and more agile handling. The model will be offered only as a four-door hatch.

The Twingo's new look was inspired by the Twin'Z and Twin'Run concepts Renaults unveiled last year. The car's profile has been likened to that of the Renault 5 small car that went out of production nearly 20 years ago. The original Twingo hit the market 20 years ago.

The five-door Twingo shares its platform with Daimler AG's next-generation Smart ForTwo city car, whose introduce is expected soon.

Earlier reports suggest that both models will be powered by a 900-cc, 3-cylinder, turbocharged gasoline engine that makes about 94 hp. Both companies are expected to add an all-electric powertrain option later.

The Twingo will compete with the Opel Adam, Fiat 500 and Volkswagen Up! city cars.