Renault makes a greener Twingo

Ecology concerns have spurred Renault to go for a green machine. Renault is expected to introduce a new petrol-engined Twingo with CO2 emissions of just 120g a km soon.

The French roads will know the car by the Twingo 1.2 LEV 16V 75 eco2 (Low Emission Vehicle) name, the car maker said. Easily termed as a variant of the 1.2 16V 75 eco² with CO2 emissions cut by 15g/km owing to engine calibration work and longer gear ratios, the latest Twingo will be part of the model catalogue alongside the range’s existing engines. Significantly, Renault has also decided to charge nothing extra for the car. Prices will start from €9,950 and the new version will be eligible for the state’s eco bonus of €700. The car maker said that order books are to open on July 21.

Renault is betting big on this latest Twingo version and hopes to market it in Spain, Germany, Holland and Belgium, starting this September.

Talking of the cut in emissions, the car maker has said that a variant of Twingo 1.2 16V 75hp with CO2 emissions of just 120g/km with CO2 emissions rating of 120g/km, this particular car emits 15g/km less than the existing 1.2 16V 75 eco². This means a 11 per cent saving, making it a potential green machine. Engineers at Renaulare said to have achieved the lower emissions rating by lengthening the gear ratios by 20 per cent. This, in turn, is said to have resulted in a reduction in the engine revs required for a given road speed, and consequently lower fuel consumption.

While driving the new Twingo, just 5.1 litres of fuel is required to cover a distance 100 km. Thus the car proves that it would be the most miserly 1.2 petrol engined car one could think of.