My Other Car is ... a Twingo

When I’m not tinkering with my TF 160, you’ll probably find me buzzing around in my other little fun bucket — a Renaultsport Twingo RS 133. Why a Twingo? Because I wanted something that still had that old-school hot hatch DNA — naturally aspirated, light, playful — without a turbocharger, hybrid gubbins, or 1,500kg of “safety tech” dulling the experience. The RS 133 is one of the last of its breed: a 1.6 NA engine that begs to be revved, proper Renaultsport chassis tuning, and a gearbox that feels like it’s wired directly to your right hand.I bought it because:

• They’re rare now, and finding one in good nick is getting harder.
• It’s super practical and the 2 split rear seats fold down to offer a deceptive ammount of storage but the car will stll make you grin like an idiot on a twisty B-road.
• It feels like Renault’s engineers built it for the fun of driving, not just the stats sheet.
• you can have your fun without going too fast... 

How it compares to the TF 160:
The TF is pure sports car — mid-engined balance, rear-wheel drive, the wind in your hair. It’s the car for sunny days and clear roads, when you want to feel connected to the road in the way only a midship ragtop can.. The Twingo? That’s the cheeky one. It’s the car you can fling into a corner in the rain and still come out laughing. The TF’s steering feel is as good, just different, but the Twingo’s agility and lift-off oversteer antics keep things interesting. In short — the TF 160 is my ongoing passion project that gets garaged and makes me grin even when glancing at it, the Twingo RS is my playful pocket knife. Both make me smile, just in different ways. And in a world of turbo’d, hybridised, and over-assisted cars, the Twingo is a reminder that sometimes, less really is more.

 Spec & Mods – 2010 Renaultsport Twingo RS 133

• Engine: 1.6L naturally aspirated inline-4 (K4M RS) – 133 PS
• Transmission: 5-speed manual
• Suspension: Lowered 40mm on H&R springs (the TF is more comfy believe it or not)
• Intake: BMC closed induction kit
• Wheels & Tyres: 17-inch powder-coated alloys, Toyo Proxes TR1 (205/40/17)
• Brakes: Standard RS setup
• Other: Powerflex engine mount insert, wheel alignment completed
• Recent Work:  New front discs & EBC Yellowstuff pads, Osram headlight bulbs, steering wheel retrim by Royal Steering Wheels, new gearknob

 

 

 

 

The Missus also has a MG, a HS Exclusive which has in all honesty been a fantastic car owned from new and never missed a beat... certainly doesn't have the character of either of my two but as a kid hauling loafer it's hard to fault and a bloomin comfy thing to waft around in too.

The Twingo is a great little car! Very capable.
Used to see a lot in tarmac rallies back in the day especially the Isle of Man. They change direction in a heartbeat.
Enjoy.

If you want to get a set of 17” wheels with virtual new proxy’s on your tf to match those on the Twingo, give me a shout.
M

Mine was a Subaru BRZ. A great car, very quick.
But - 2 performance cars, both in the garage, very seldom used.
I  have a Renault Kangoo van I use almost every day and my wife has a Suzuki Grand Vitara she is slowly destroying. 
In 6 years the BRZ did 6000Km, the MG 650Km. 
Too many toys, and now the plane as well. So the BRZ had to go.
Now hopefully I will use the MG a bit more.

 

 

I`m poor now so this is my other forms of transport 

Mark63 wrote:

I`m poor now so this is my other forms of transport 

 

If ya didn't spend so much money on bloody boots..............