Renault Twin'Run revealed

The Renault Twin'Run concept, a car designed to be a spiritual successor to the R5 Turbo and Clio V6, has been unveiled at the Monaco Grand Prix circuit. (Click to Tweet)

Sharing the same funky city car styling cues as the Twin'Z electric car concept that was revealed in April, the Twin'Run is a very different propostion. Rather than an eco-friendly set of batteries, it is packing a mid-mounted 316bhp V6 petrol engine and a raft of motorsport technology that is designed as a hint towards the next-generation Twingo RS.

That engine - which is still used in the Laguna and Espace in de-tuned form in Europe - drives the rear wheels and combines with a tubular steel chassis borrowed from the Megane Trophy racer and lightweight fibre glass bodywork for a kerbweight of just 950kgs. All that means the Twin'Run can accelerate from 0-62mph in just 4.5 seconds and go on to reach a top speed of 155mph.

The major mechanicals for the concept are all taken straight from the world of racing, with a six-speed sequential gearbox, rally-style welded handbrake lever, huge brakes and a limited-slip differential at the back to improve cornering balance. It also sits on huge 18-inch alloy wheels that are pushed right to the each corner of this compact car.

The exterior styling has been heavily influenced by iconic rally cars and the bold orange graphics running along the roof and doors, big air vents in front of the rear arches and a fixed rear wing. The quad LED lights at the front are just 25mm thick and can give different light sequences that are controlled by the driver.

The interior is stripped out, with just a plexiglass sheet separating the driver from the V6 engine. The sparco bucket seats have four-point race harnesses. Axel Breun, head of concept car design for the Renault said: "Twin'Run embodies the mad genius Renault has been known for over the decades... it's the true heir of those racing cars that had so much appeal" 

Launched in the pit lane of the Grand Prix circuit and then driven for several flying laps around the famous track by Renault boss Carlos Tavares, the Twin'Run was joined by a convoy that included a Clio V6 piloted by F1 driver Charles Pic and rally legend Jean Ragnotti brought up the rear in the Maxi 5 Turbo that he had so much success with in the eighties.

This concept hints at the performance potential of a possible Twingo RS model in the future although there are rumours that Renault is planning to resurrect the '5' name badge for the three-door model.