Renault Twingo R.S. 133 in Euro showrooms from April 23

Can I have a show of hands that thinks this Twingo Renaultsport 133 looks like the Nissan Juke? Yup, me too. But the Twingo does not roll on the Juke’s platform but rather the previous generation’s Nissan Micra.

In any case, this is the Twingo R.S. 133’s new look for 2012, which debuted at last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show. It will be in showrooms from April 23 and ordering opens on April 2, not in Malaysia but in the UK. The price: £13,565 on-the-road.

Juke’s similarities aside, the Renaultsport version of the Twingo incorporates the new Renault logo with the new grille design, four lights and a front bumper that takes inspiration from the F1. At the back, the Twingo R.S. gets the black rear spoiler, a special rear bumper that incorporates a diffuser and ‘aerodynamic extensions’ on the rear wheel arches.

Inside, the Twingo R.S. receives the same treatment yellow treatment that is found in the Clio R.S. and the Megane R.S. So the steering and seats will have that familiar yellow stitching and rev counter will be in yellow.

Performance-wise, the Twingo R.S. 133’s 1.6 litre naturally aspirated engine produces 133 hp at 6,750 rpm and 160 Nm at 4,400 rpm. It accelerates to 100 km/h from zero in 8.7 seconds and maxes out at 201 km/h.

The Twingo R.S. 133 is available with the optional Cup chassis for an additional £700. The Cup chassis lowered the ride height by 4 mm, has stiffer springs and dampers, 17” Anthracite or Gloss Black alloy wheels and wider 205/40 R17 tyres.

Now that we have the Megane R.S. and the Clio R.S., could it be only a matter of time before this one reaches Malaysia as well? Don’t expect it to be affordable though.

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