Renaultsport Twingo 133 | Spotted
A new Twingo is very exciting; a 30,000-mile 133 perhaps even more so...
It seems like Renault can do no wrong right now, and the latest Twingo is perfect proof of that. As the world moves away from expensive, overstyled, overwrought EVs, so Renault debuts a light, simple, charming electric car that neatly melds both classic and contemporary appeal. If it really can arrive at usefully less than £20k, they’ll surely sell like hot cakes. Sweet, delicious, French hot cakes. Just look at the 5’s success for proof of how the right EV at the right time can sell.
One thing the new Twingo won’t be, however, is very fast. Because it doesn’t need to be, of course, but also since 81hp can only ever achieve so much when shunting along 1,200kg. It’ll feel fast enough, because EVs always punch above their performance stats, and the power sounds ideal for zipping around city streets. But, well, this is PH, and speed matters. It wouldn’t be PistonHeads if we weren’t already thinking about a small Renault that Twingoes (sorry) a bit quicker. Particularly as the A290 has already kicked off the breed so memorably. And because, of course, there’s the Renaultsport 133 in the Twingo archive.
Believe it or not, the 1.6-litre Twingo is now 17 years old; if any teenager could get insured on a 133, it’s a perfect first fast car. Because kids like to drive flat out everywhere, full of vim, vigour and enthusiasm; the Twingo revels in such treatment, never feeling better than when on the limit. Light, agile and fizzy, the Renaultsport was a great throwback to simpler times even in the late 2000s. Almost 20 years later it’s going to feel fantastically raw. I remember test driving one before buying my Mini Cooper S; the Twingo felt like a radio controlled car by comparison, such was the immediacy and excitement.
There were never very many Twingo 133s sold. The 2.0-litre Clios, truth be told, were even more thrilling, and not very much more money. A Swift Sport was probably a more rounded junior pocket rocket proposition. And the Abarth 500s were more stylish. Combine all that with the way they loved to be driven (i.e. like a tarmac rally car) and it’s easy to understand why not very many remain. Like a whole host of cheap, fast(ish) French cars over the years, one or two Twingo 133s will surely have met their maker backwards somewhere.
Therefore this one is fairly exceptional. It’s been kept by just two owners since 2009, not passed from pillar to post as an overeager new driver moves onto the next thing. It’s covered fewer than 30,000 miles in that time, too, which is almost unheard of. And it’s the ideal spec, a pre-facelift car with the Cup chassis but retaining air-con and the sliding rear seats.
Bear in mind that this was a £13k car 16 years ago, too, and it looks pretty good. You’ll have to make your peace with acres of grey plastic, though it seems to have proven pretty durable. The sun hasn’t faded the red paint, and the 17-inch wheels look in decent shape. Against all odds, we have a 133 that’s made it through the 2010s undamaged and unmodified - hurrah. You’ll want to find out when the cambelt was last done, because that’s as big a job here as on more valuable Renaultsports, and obviously factor the work for a new MOT into an offer. But it’s hard to imagine a good 133 ever being worth less than £5k again, what with the Twingo being talked about all over again. And just imagine the excitement if Renault does the decent thing and resurrects the fast one…
SPECIFICATION | RENAULTSPORT TWINGO 133
Engine: 1,598, four-cylinder
Transmission: 5-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 133@6,750rpm
Torque (lb ft): 118@4,400rpm
MPG: 43.5
CO2: 150g/km
Year registered: 2009
Recorded miles: 29,522
Price new: £13,165
Yours for: £4,995
I love the idea of so small and light, 3.6m long, 1049kg, 131bhp presumably the 133 was PS (?) but still 0-60 takes 8.7 seconds because naturally aspirated 1.6. And no, there's no apparent amazing handling offset to make that better- but the Abarth 500 corners far better, with a faster throttle response thanks to the turbo.
There are 4 on AT, more on Facebook and other places, and for this money you're better off buying a Clio as they all need overly complex belts "and stuff" (dephaser pulley anyone?)
At half this money (and they do come up for that, yes usually with more miles- but not always) they can be OK value, but there's one with maybe twice the miles on which has had £3k of spend on it and... frankly it is still in need of more.
Great idea, but I think you can do better.
Considering how many modified cars there are on PH (including several owned by staffers), it really is time this tired trope was left in the past where it belongs.
They are old school almost every hot hatch sense, light, basic, revvy engine with modest power and fantastic handling.
This one is strong money but I assume based on the mileage but get one with 60k and it'll be just as good and cheaper. There are plenty on owners groups that have 150k+.
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