Renault Twingo RS133

[MagpieRacer]

hey everyone, welcome to my Renault Twingo RS133!

Backstory:
I'm a bit of a Renault fan, first and foremost, I've had a variety of cars but the Renaults I have had seem to have given me the most enjoyment and pleasure. It helps my father in law works for Renault he has helped helped me snag many a bargain.

But it was when I first owned a Twingo that I discovered joy could be found in tiny packages. Firdt was a Twingo GT, featuring a 1.2 turbo engine, 100bhp, and it was great fun to drive, but I only had it for a few months as it opened my eyes to the Renaultsport model. I purchased one off my father in law for £1000, it had 130k miles on the clock but was well looked after, the love affair lasted 6 months before the arrival of our first child, and my wife's car being a s****box, the Twingo had to go, sold for £2000 and we purchase a Clio Tourer.

After another 5 months an opportunity to buy a Twingo Gordini 100 (basically a GT but with stripes and a fancy interior) came up and I purchased it, that lasted nearly a year before I dabbled with a Megane GT, but didn't get on with it. And decided I wanted another RS Twingo. Found a nice one at an attractive price and went ahead with the purchase.

Twingo RS133 Specs
1.6L naturally aspirated 16v 4cyl, petrol
133bhp, 118ft-lb (160nm)
0-60 - 8 seconds
125mph top speed
1049kg (2312lbs)

 

[MagpieRacer]

It was in OK condition when I bought it, needed a few touch ups, some uneven stickers taking off, a good polish etc.

So first job was a good clean.

I bought it with the standard style GT spoiler, so quickly purchase the Renault sport Cup spoiler to complete the Cup look as it has the cup chassis and suspension and cup wheels. Closer inspection revealed it to be a full fat spec car (standard 133 with the cup option).

The springs were upgraded to H&R sport springs which drop the car around 14mm from the standard cup height (25mm on syandsrd 133s). As well as a stainless steel exhaust manifold.

All this was preparation for my big exterior addition. Renault offered a shadow decal package with the cars when new, and I always wanted it. My red one didn't get it, so my blue one would, just like how it was in Forza Motorsport 4.

With the right prep and some patience, the result came out beautifully.

 

[MagpieRacer]

I like to personalise my cars as tastefully as possible. Theres 147 extreme blue Twingo RS' out there and I'm confident mine is totally unique.

The most recent touches have included respraying the wheels, spoiler and fog light surrounds to match using fulldip hyper black metallic spray.

As well as some interior decorating, including a custom rev dial. I was always disappointed that almost every Renaultsport model got a yellow rev dial while the Twingo made do with a grey one that looked too close to a regular Twingo.

And a, for a Twingo RS at least, decent performance upgrade from the standard, and perfectly adequate, airbox, to a desirable upgrade for these cars, the airbox and filter system from the first phase Renault Clio 172.

A tight squeeze, but proven 5bhp power gains and fractionally more responsive low end throttle.
You'll also note the partially painted inlet manifold, I will get round to doing the whole thing. It was partially done as an experiment after having loads of high temperature paint left from sprucing up the brake calipers.

As a project its nearing its completion in terms of buying parts for it. I have considered a new exhaust system but the cost outweighs the gain. It already sounds very meaty thanks to the stainless manifold and decat, plus the bigger airbox gives it a satisfying roar from the driver seat. The stock exhaust doesn't sound bad anyway.
Minor engine cosmetics such as a battery cover in gloss carbon and finishing the inlet manifold paint job are on the list. And it will need new tyres soon.

But the next post I will show off some photos from a recent photoshoot. Hope you enjoy.

 

[MagpieRacer]

 

[MagpieRacer]

Driving
Its an absolute blast to drive as you might expect from Renaultsport. It handles like a go-Kart, loads of grip through the corners with very minimal body roll. I will run out of talent before it runs out of grip. (tyre wise its currently sat on Kumho Ecsta Sport).

It sits on 17inch wheels, currently 195/40 on the tyres, so it can be a hard ride, its a very stiff chassis and wit my the cup extras like the shocks and dampers, you really feel everything. Fortunately the seats are very comfortable and hug you in nicely, and while the ride is hard, I wouldn't call it harsh. It doesn't crash over bumps and break your spine, you feel it but it takes them well and you never feel out of control.

In a straightine is where it lacks the most for a warm/hot hatch. 133bhp is adequate, the 0-60 is around 8 to 8.5 seconds, but it does feel quicker, they suffer from a slight flat spot low in the range in 1sy and 2nd which makes then feel sluggish. But once moving, drop a gear and put your foot into the carpet and you'd be forgiven for thinking the 0-60 should be quicker. From 30-70mph however, the Twingo 133 can keep pace with the Clio 197/200. A sure sign to its pace once its moving. Being an NA, it is responsive and sounds fantastic under load.

I've also always felt it suffers by only having a 5 speed gearbox. A 6 speed would potentially benefit the launch, and also me it more comfortable at motorway speeds. At 70mph it'll sit at around 4k rpm.

Its surprisingly practical, recently I've had myself, wife, 2 kids both in car seats, and the pram in the car. Its a squeeze but it can be done. Its a 4 seats and the rear seats are individual so they can be adjusted separately, can fold 1 or both flat for a bigger boot or slide them all the way back and you can take 4, 6 foot adults in comfort. Insurance is not bad as well as they don't seem to carry a bad reputation despite the sporty nature. It'll nudge 39mpg on a run and the tax is very reasonable for a 11 year old performance hatch, and an NA one at that.

I'm a lover of details. Little things like the red seat belts, attractive engine bay, excellent sport seats, among other things all add to this cars charm. Once you bite the Twingo RS bug, its hard to let it go.

 

[Scotts-133-RS]

Love my twingo rs.....never seen a BLUE TWINGO before nice spec!!.....unfortunately took mine to the garage today as it was leaking oil and the clutch went as a mechanic was reversing it to the ramp.....any ideas where I can get my Cambelt and clutch done decently??....sick and tired of taking it to wasters who don't do there job as they promise

 

[MagpieRacer]

Love my twingo rs.....never seen a BLUE TWINGO before nice spec!!.....unfortunately took mine to the garage today as it was leaking oil and the clutch went as a mechanic was reversing it to the ramp.....any ideas where I can get my Cambelt and clutch done decently??....sick and tired of taking it to wasters who don't do there job as they promise

Its expensive, but main dealer. I only ever took mine to main dealers and never had any problems with either of my Twingo RS'.

 

[MagpieRacer]

And there weren't many Extreme Blue models. 147, 144 standard and 3 cups. Making it the 4th least common colour. Out of 8.

 

[NLxAROSA]

Its expensive, but main dealer. I only ever took mine to main dealers and never had any problems with either of my Twingo RS'.

+1. When I had my Mégane RS, I didn't even take it to the regular Renault dealer, but to one that specialises in Renault Sport models. Lovely Twingo RS BTW. 👍