Renault Reboots Interior of Entry-Level Urban BEV

Renault unveils a new interior for its forthcoming entry-level urban battery-electric Twingo E-Tech targeting a sub-$21,000 sticker price.

The car, first seen at the Paris Motor Show 2024, arrives at this week’s Brussels Motor Show with a rebooted cabin paving the way to series production in 2026.

Drawing from the Twingo’s original model first produced in 1992, the retro-esque interior design sees a floating cylindrical dash that echoes the shape of the original.

It features a 7.0-in. (17.8-cm) digital instrument panel and a 10.1-in. (25.7-cm) central multimedia screen sitting alongside the three buttons for the air conditioning and the red hazard warning lights button in a translucent bubble, reminscent of the first Twingo.

Spaces under the dash and between the front seats provide stowage for bags and everyday objects while a flat tray under the cylindrical dash runs the width of the cabin for easy-to-reach incidentals.

Color choices also are inspired by the original Twingo, matching the choice of exterior colors with subtle touches on the front door panels and on the passenger-side dashboard. Whether the tinted cork floor seen in the show car will make it into production is yet to be decided, but Renault says the natural material is both resistant and durable.

Modular seating is focused on adaptability with the rear bench able to slide and fold in two 50/50 sections to make the most of the car’s 5-door layout. Interior lighting is enhanced by a generous rounded glass roof.

Special convenience features include the front headrest with a magnetic area for rear passengers to attach phones and an elastic strap that doubles as a map pocket to keep a water bottle close at hand.

Exterior tweaks include a lower front air intake, smaller rear wheel arch extensions and redesigned black bumpers in a 3D-printed honeycomb pattern.

The front door handles no longer have an illuminated surround, a quarter-window has been added near the side mirrors and the shape of the taillights are revised to echo the half-moon LED headlights.