Renault Twingo gets a facelift – but the Twingo gets DROPPED in the UK

The Renault Twingo – Renault’s ‘Smart under the Skin’ – gets a facelift, but the new Renault Twingo won’t be coming to the UK.

There was a time when UK motorists only came across the Renault Twingo as a holiday rental in France or Spain, but that changed in 2009 when Renault finally decided to offer the Twingo in the UK.

That wasn’t exactly an overwhelming success, but Renault tried again when the new Twingo – the one which shares its underpinnings with the Smart ForFour – arrived in the UK in 2014.

But however hard Renault tried, and they did try, UK car buyers haven’t taken to the Twingo and, once current stocks are gone, the Twingo won’t be on offer any more.

The dropping of the Twingo in the UK comes as Renault give their slightly odd, rear-engined Twingo a bit of a facelift for 2019 with new engines, additional customisation options and improved infotainment.

Cosmetic tweaks include new front bumper, new running lights, new back bumper, LED headlights, a ‘Sport’ air scoop and lower ride height, with a redesigned centre console inside and new 7″ infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Also on offer is a new lower powered 1.0 litre three-pot with 63bhp to go with the existing SCe 70 and TCe 90 – which get a handful of extra horses – and the TCe 95.

At least you know what to expect next time you’re handed the keys to a Twingo at Valencia Airport.