The 235kW, rear-wheel-drive Renault Twin’Run city car concept has been unveiled at the weekend’s Monaco Formula One Grand Prix in Monte Carlo.
Paying homage to two iconic Renault sports cars, the R5 Turbo and Clio V6, the 235kW/380Nm V6-powered Renault Twin’Run concept is said to cultivate the sporting spirit of the brand and celebrate its automotive passion in a modern and playful take on the city car.
Built on a motorsport-derived tubular chassis with a mid-mounted 3.5-litre V6 engine – based on that found in the Renault Megane Trophy racecar – tied to a six-speed sequential gearbox and a limited slip differential, the Twin’Run debuted around the Monaco street circuit with the French manufacturer’s chief operating officer, Carlos Tavares, behind the wheel.
At 3680mm long, 1750mm wide and 1493mm high, the 950kg Renault Twin’Run concept – teased earlier this year–measures 19mm shorter, 67mm wider and 86mm taller than a Mini Cooper.
With bodywork made from a glass-polyester composite material and carbonfibre used for the front blade, roof, rear vent and wheelarches, the Twin’Run is claimed to reach 100km/h from standstill in 4.5 seconds and continue on to a top speed of 249km/h.
Finished in the same blue paint as seen on the Twin’Z concept in April, the Renault Twin’Run features red highlights on the grille and front air intakes, wing mirrors, roof, rear wing, down the doors and on the 18-inch alloy wheels while the four large LED lights that dominate the front end, are a nod to the light clusters used by rally cars in night stages.
Air intakes positioned in front of the rear wheel arches work with vents under the tail-lights to extract hot air from the engine, while a vent channelling air under the car combines with the fixed rear wing for greater aerodynamic stability at high speeds.
Inside, unique Sparco seats upholstered in three shades of Alcantara are fitted with safety harnesses, and join a motorsport steering wheel, black and red suede trim, and a 5.5-inch LCD multifunction display screen and two red gauges showing oil temperature and water temperature in another reference to the R5 Turbo.
Renault’s head of concept car design, Axel Breun, says the Twin’Run “embodies the mad genius Renault has been known for over the decades”.
“No one has forgotten the R5 Turbo and the Clio V6. Twin’Run is the true heir of those racing cars that had so much appeal.”
