The Renault booth at the upcoming Paris Motor Show is set to be a crowded one, as the French brand confirms yet another electric member set to take a stand there: The Twingo E-Tech Prototype.
As its name suggests, the electric supermini will be heavily inspired by the first-generation Twingo. Renault states that the car "revolutionised the automobile world" back when it was introduced in 1992, and perfectly embodied the brand's essence of "les voitures a vivre" (roughly translated to "a car for life and living").
Like its spiritual predecessor, the Twingo E-Tech prototype is said to be clever, perfect for today's automotive world, and as unexpected as the original Twingo all at once.
Its protruding taillights are similarly shaped to its headlamps for a cheerful and high-tech feel, while the car's rear design is said to call to mind the original Twingo's signature look. The rear is also where you'll find a modern-looking black rim around the rear windscreen, as well as 'Twingo' lettering at the centre of the tailgate.
Just as importantly, however, the five-door electric hatchback will retain a small physical footprint that should help keep it agile in urban environments, while still allowing it to boast a good level of practicality. A glass roof also helps to amplify the cabin's sense of space by filling it with exterior light.
While the Twingo E-Tech has been dubbed a prototype for now, Renault has made it quite clear it intends for the model to eventually reach production.
The car set to be shown off in Paris will mark a precursor to the fully electric fourth-generation Twingo, which the brand states will be available in 2026.
Production will be handled by Renault's electric vehicle and software company, Ampere. The car will also join a steadily-expanding lineup of fully electric Renault models, including the Renault 5 E-Tech, Megane E-Tech, Scenic E-Tech and recently-teased Renault 4 E-Tech.
As a final highlight, it's worth noting that it's not just the visual spirit of the original Twingo that the Twingo E-Tech is purported to follow, but its spirit of accessibility too. Renault states that it aims to offer the car with an approximate entry price of less than $28,610 (€20,000), fulfilling its pledge to make electric mobility within the reach of the masses.
