Twingone! Renault facelifts Twingo city car — but drops it from UK line-up

Renault has given its Twingo city car a mid-life facelift, bringing a cleaner look and new technology – but the UK market won’t benefit, as it’s been removed from sale on these shores.

Slow sales have been blamed for the demise of the model, along with an overall streamlining of the brand’s range. Just 877 Twingos were sold in the UK in 2018, down from a peak of 5,555 in 2015.

This ties in with Renault’s decision to simplify its model range, offering a new ‘Easy Life’ package on its Clio, Captur, Megane, Scenic and Koleos models to make things easier for consumers.

The Twingo is one of very few rear-engined cars on sale in the UK, and Renault claims its packaging allows for greater passenger space and an improved turning circle. It seems, however, that its quirky layout didn’t endear it to British buyers.

The facelifted model, which goes on sale in Europe later this year, sees a cleaner, simpler design with the brand’s now-signature C-shaped LED daytime running lights fitted in place of the previous four-point units. LED headlights are now standard across the range.

It’s also received a 10mm drop in its ride height and an engine intake scoop on its rear quarter panel – touches previously only available on Sport models.

Inside, models gain a new gearknob, two USB ports in the centre console and a new infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The engine line-up has been tweaked, too, with a new 63bhp 1.0-litre joining the range underneath a 74bhp 1.0-litre and a turbocharged 0.9-litre with 94bhp.

Pricing information for European markets hasn’t been confirmed. However, Smart has announced that the Twingos withdrawal from the UK market will not affect its mechanically-identical twin, the Smart ForFour.