RenaultSport’s ongoing contribution to motorsport is evident with the firm’s World Series by Renault, but perhaps the introduction of the Twingo RenaultSport R1 and R2 is the most important effort from Renault’s Dieppe-based performance division in the current economic climate.
Crafted in what is very much the same mould as predecessors the likes of the R8 Gordini of the 1960s, 5 GT Turbo from the 1980s and, more recently, the group N Clio RenaultSport Williams, the Twingo R1 and R2 are aimed at a younger generation of competitors who seek an affordable, reliable and modern rally car to break into the big leagues.
The rally-prepared version of the Twingo doesn’t differ much from a road-going Twingo RS, as it features the very same styling kit with a gaping air intake in the front bumper, sculpted side sills and wider wheelarches – the only exception being an optional roof-mounted air intake.
The Twingo RS in R2 specification employs the same normally-aspirated 1,6-litre four-cylinder engine, which has been tuned to produce 118 kW at 7 250 r/min and 160 N.m of torque at 5 500 r/min through the use of revised pistons, flywheel, exhaust system and a new air box. The competition-ready powerplant is mated with a five-speed sequential gearbox which feeds power through a ZF limited-slip differential to the front wheels.
Plenty of thought went into the suspension to enable the system to cope on the roughest dirt surfaces as well as the occasional stretch of smooth asphalt so it’s been equipped with the latest technology in adjustable twin-tube shock absorbers to supplement the MacPherson struts up front, with aluminium lower arms and a standard anti-roll bar, as well as the programmed deflection torsion beam at the rear.
The rubber bushes can be replaced with spherical joints as an option and the Twingo Renaultsport R2 comes with hydraulic power-assisted steering to ensure it endures the demands of rallying, regardless of the length and surface of special stages.
Braking duties are handled by 280 mm ventilated discs up front and 240 mm solid discs at the rear, which peek out from behind one-piece aluminium 15-inch (gravel) or 16 inch (tarmac) wheels wrapped in BF Goodrich rubber.
While the exterior may not give too much away about the nature of the Twingo R2, a glimpse of its interior leaves no doubt as to how focused it is. It retains the same facia and centre console as the standard RS, but as well as being stripped out, it now features two Sabelt RenaultSport bucket seats and harnesses, obligatory roll cage, LED instrument panel, steering column-mounted shift lever for the sequential gearbox, as well as a “power box” that houses all the main electric systems. Inner door trim has been replaced by a protective panel made from composite materials and there’s even an electrically-controlled automatic fire extinguisher system.
Essentially, an even more affordable version of the R2, the R1 doesn’t come with all the bells a whistles, but the safety specifications are much the same. Its engine and gearbox is identical to that of the production Twingo RS, but the ECU has been revised to produce more torque lower down the rev range.
The Twingo RenaultSport R2 is available as a complete motorsport kit (you have to buy the tyres separately though) for just over R300 000, and because you still require the car, customers will be able to purchase a Twingo RS for a reduced price.