1998 Renault Twingo on 2040-cars

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Renault Clio Initiale Paris does the classed-up compact thing

Citroën has seen some success with its DS cars, announcing the line as a new, premium sub-brand. Now, it looks like French rival Renault could be set to launch its own luxury trim group, with the Clio Initiale Paris as its first entry.
With xenon headlights and unique seventeen-inch wheels as the big upgrades to the exterior, Renault also fitted a gloss-black bumper skirt and mirror caps, for a bit more exterior panache. A prominent "Initiale" badge adorns the trunk and side skirts, as well.
In the cabin, contrasting, heated, Nappa-leather-adorned seats have been fitted, while faux leather with contrast stitching can be found on the dash and door panels. Piano-black trim is added in sections, while aluminum pedals contribute a bit of extra brightwork to the space.

Xcar rates AWD vs. FWD vs. RWD

With snow and ice blanketing large swathes of the United States over the past few weeks, commuting hasn't been easy. Among some drivers, there's an ongoing debate about how much all-wheel drive really helps when it gets slippery and whether rear-drive is as bad in slick conditions as many people think. Xcar Films puts some of those beliefs to the test in its latest video by showing off three very different cars taking on a trio of low-grip challenges. Xcar's picks for the test include the fairly plebeian, all-wheel drive Subaru Impreza, the somewhat plush, rear-drive BMW 120d and the sporty, front-drive Renault Megane RS 275 Trophy. Things start out easy with a hydraulic plate forcing the back end out on a wet skid pad. From there, the tests get really interesting with a slalom on simulated ice, and the cars finish with a high-speed cornering challenge through a soaked turn. While an obvious winner emerges in the end, keep in mind this is hardly a scientific test of grip. For better accuracy, all three vehicles should be wearing identical tires, and the same driver should be behind the wheel of each one. Still, Xcar's examination is a fun chance to see how vehicles react when things get slick. News Source: Xcar Films via YouTube BMW Subaru Renault Driving Safety Videos xcar renault megane xcar films renault megane rs

2014 Renault Twingo is a rear-engined cutie

At this point, we thought the formula for small, inexpensive hatchbacks was pretty much dialed in: transverse engine, front-wheel drive. Then along comes Renault with its cheeky new Twingo, just to throw a curveball into the mix. Sporting a rear-mounted engine and rear-wheel drive, the Twingo is something of a (very) poor man's Porsche 911, and it's got us excited.
Power is provided by either a naturally aspirated, 70-horsepower, 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine or a turbocharged 900cc triple with 90 horsepower and 100 lb-ft, the latter of which sounds like quite a lot of fun in a lightweight small car. We're eager to check out what sort of dynamic wins this layout yields - we know it's going to be nimble, with a turning circle of just 8.65 meters (28.4 feet), a full meter less than rivals. Of course, the rear-engined, rear-wheel drive thing hasn't always produced sterling drive experiences - the Smart ForFour speaks loudly to this. In fact it's no coincidence that the Twingo shares this driveline configuration with Smart - the chassis was codeveloped with Daimler alongside the next-generation ForTwo.
The Twingo's interior is best described as cheap and cheerful, with some neat features like a flat-bottomed wheel, contrasting trim and TomTom navigation. Despite being shorter overall than the last-generation model, this Twingo is actually roomier inside. We've had a chance to look at the cargo hold, and its load floor is modestly higher than you might find in a more conventional hatchback, but it's a pretty remarkable feat of packaging - if someone didn't tell you there was an engine back there, you wouldn't suspect it. In fact, Renault boasts, "It is the only city car capable of carrying a boxed Swedish bookshelf."