Renault Twinrun concept revealed

* Concept has 316bhp V6; will do 0-62mph in 4.5secs * Shows what a three-door Twingo could look like * Rear-wheel-drive layout should appear in city car...

Renault Twinrun concept revealed

This is the Renault Twinrun concept, which has been revealed today in Monaco ahead of the F1 Grand Prix.

The car shares styling cues with the Twinz concept (also known as the Z28 RL), which was unveiled in Milan last month. The Twinz previewed the design of the next five-door Renault Twingo, and the Twinrun hints at what a three-door car could look like, although this version is said to be not a priority.

The Twinrun is a rear-wheel-drive mid-engined racing car. It has a tubular steel chassis with lightweight composite bodywork, featuring a carbonfibre roof, rear air vents and wheelarches.

The concept is powered by a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine that produces 316bhp and 280lb ft of torque. Thanks to its unladen weight of just 950kg, the car will accelerate from 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 155mph.

While the Twinrun showcases what Renault calls its mad genius with performance unlikely to be seen in the next Twingo the concept does at least show likely styling features of the production car, including minimal overhangs at the front and rear, as well as a high waistline.

The rear- or mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive layout is also likely to be kept for the production version of the Twingo. Senior Renault sources have previously stated that the car would have 'an innovative layout solution'.

Read the full Renault Twingo (current car) review >>

By Ed Callow