Renault’s all-new Twingo Electric coming to the UK

According to the old saying, good things come to those who wait. Obviously, Renault didn’t get that particular memo. Only days after its global reveal in the heart of Paris, the brand-new Renault Twingo E-Tech electric has already won its first accolade, being named one of the ‘Most Anticipated Cars of 2026’ at the cinch 2025 Car of the Year Awards. And if, like Renault, you count yourself amongst the terminally impatient, the less welcome news is that you’re going to have to wait a while longer before the electric Twingo arrives in the UK.

When it launched in 1992, the original Renault Twingo radically transformed the city car segment with its contemporary looks and colourful character. Bringing the spirit of Twingo back to life involved taking the DNA of the original and evolving it into a city car for the modern world.

Injecting the electric Twingo with the DNA of the original

The original Twingo’s appealing character was symbolised by its curvy lines and cheerful face. All these features have been carried over and updated in the new Twingo E-Tech electric. The body boasts a more contemporary feel, cleaner lines, and features that show the many advancements in technical design since the 1990s, such as the headlamps.

There are nods to the design of the original Twingo, such as the shape of the headlamps and grille, and the air vents on the bonnet. Arched daytime running lights add a contemporary touch, with LED technology featuring here as well as in the headlights and rear light clusters. The proportions have also changed with the new Twingo being a little longer to accommodate the rear doors. The wheelbase has also been extended, allowing Renault to fit larger wheels (up to 18-inch) for improved stability and a stronger road presence.

The interior of Twingo E-Tech electric has been brought up to date

Inside dual horizontal screens give the interior of the Twingo E-Tech electric a contemporary look, featuring a 7-inch digital instrument panel facing the driver for driving information and a 10-inch central multimedia screen. All versions of Twingo E-Tech electric include two USB-C ports to connect and charge a smartphone or multimedia device, and Google built-in also makes an appearance for the first time on an A-segment vehicle in the top-spec Techno models.

Despite its relatively small size, the new Twingo E-Tech electric somehow offers the interior space of a B-segment vehicle too.

Flexible interior space with sliding rear seats

The secret to this generous interior space is the sliding rear seats inherited from the first-generation Twingo. All versions of Twingo E-Tech electric feature two independent rear seats, each of which slides forward and back by 17 cm, giving preference to either passenger space or boot capacity for the whole row, or for just one seat. The new Twingo E-Tech electric really is a 5-door vehicle with four “real” adult seats.

The practicality doesn’t end there either. As well as the ability to slide the rear seats back and forth, the boot also features an underfloor storage space – ideal for storing the charging cable – and the cabin includes over a dozen open, easy-access storage spaces and handy cubby holes.

Underneath the characterful skin, Renault has based the new Twingo E-Tech electric on its latest small car platform. It’s powered with a compact electric motor generating just over 80bhp, which doesn’t sound like much, but don’t be fooled.

By optimising electrical efficiency, Renault has been able to pair the motor with a smaller 27.kWh battery pack that can still accelerate the Twingo to city speeds (30mph) in around 3 seconds and offer a range of up to 163 miles on a single charge. Top speed is in the region of 80mph, so it can hold its own on the open road too.

As electric city cars are usually charged at home overnight, or at work during the day - neither of which requires much power – the Twingo E-Tech electric comes with a 6.6 kW on-board charger that can top up the battery from 10% to 100% in a little over 4 hours. Fast charging up to 50kW is also possible, allowing for battery charges from 10% to 80% in about half an hour. If you opt for the range-topping Techno trim, the new Twingo E-Tech electric also features regenerative braking to help maintain the battery level.

In terms of model range, Renault keeps it simple

And while we’re on the subject of trim levels...

Renault is offering the new Twingo E-Tech electric in a simplified range with two trim levels boasting a generous range of equipment.

Entry level Evolution: these models feature 16-inch wheel covers, 7 inch driver screen, 10 inch central screen for the connected multimedia system, cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, advanced driver monitoring system, automatic parking brake, individually sliding rear seats, height-adjustable driver seat, manual climate control, and rear parking sensors.

Range-topping Techno trim: if you opt for this, you can also look forward to two-tone 16-inch wheel covers, the upgraded multimedia system with Google built-in (Google Maps, Google Assistant and Google Play), adaptive cruise control, automatic climate control, One Pedal driving, tinted lateral rear windows, digital rear view camera, automatic high beam, automatic windscreen wipers, and a six speakers sound system.

Final UK specifications will be confirmed closer to UK launch, which we expect to be sometime in the second half of 2026. In the meantime, you’ll just have to exercise a little patience before you can think about leasing the new Renault Twingo E-Tech electric for yourself.