Electric Renault Twingo will be made in Slovenia

We have some great news for fans of automotive nostalgia. After a bit of back and forth with potential partners, Renault has made a decision: the iconic Renault Twingo is making a comeback, and much sooner than expected. With a promised starting price under $22,000, Renault boldly claims it will revolutionize the electric car market by offering an affordable and sustainable urban mobility solution.

Renault CEO Luca de Meo has likened the new Twingo to Japanese kei cars, emphasizing its focus on urban environments with its compact size and efficient design. But the most important bit is the fact that the Slovenian government and Renault have finally signed a memorandum of understanding to produce the Twingo at the Novo Mesto factory, starting in 2026. This clever strategic move secures the future of the plant and creates a new production hub for Renault's electric ambitions.

The new Twingo will be built on a modified version of the AmpR Small platform, which coincidently underpins the upcoming Renault 5. This platform promises a balance of affordability, performance, and efficiency, making it an ideal choice for an electric city car.

One of the most impressive claims Renault makes about the Twingo EV is its energy consumption. It's estimated to be the best in its class, consuming just 10 kWh per 62 miles. This can translate to an impressive range for a city car (depending on the size of the battery), making it a practical choice for urban dwellers. But we hear bold claims pretty much every day, so we advise a decent pinch of salt with this one.

While Renault initially considered partnering with Volkswagen for the Twingo's development, those plans fell through. Instead, Renault has opted to collaborate with a Chinese engineering firm to expedite the development process and keep costs down. Renault confirmed that the styling and advanced engineering are still handled in France to make sure the Twingo retains its European flair.

The Twingo EV is expected to face competition from several rivals, including the Citroen e-C3 with its budget-friendly shorter-range model and future low-cost offerings from the VW Group. Additionally, Chinese automakers like Leapmotor and BYD are also eyeing the European market with their affordable electric vehicles.

Renault's ambitious goal is to achieve a production time of under 10 hours for the Twingo, thanks to streamlined manufacturing processes and innovative engineering solutions. This new-found efficiency should reduce costs and also contribute to the vehicle's affordability.

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