Renault goes retro with special edition hotshot
RENAULT has taken a nostalgic return to its roots for a new concept car.
The Twin’Run aims to put the passion back into the hot hatch world and took its first laps in front of spectators at the Monaco Grand Prix this weekend.
The legendary race circuit was considered to be the ideal setting for its debut. It is a performance car through and through and reinforces Renault’s passion for motorsport in the mould of its famous R5 Turbo and Clio V6.
The public at Monaco got to see the three racers in action in a pursuit race organised to celebrate Renault’s motorsport history. Twin’Run led the way with Carlos Tavares, chief operating officer, at the wheel, tailed by a Clio V6 driven by F1 star Charles Pic and a Maxi 5 Turbo with its celebrated driver, Jean Ragnotti, at the helm.
Twin’Run ties in perfectly with the series of concept cars illustrating Renault’s design strategy. The diamond-dominated front end underlines Renault’s new styling approach through its new brand identity. Like Twin’Z, Twin’Run gets blue paint in reference to the “Play” petal of the fifth stage in the French marque’s design strategy. Twin’Run’s stomping ground is the world of motorsport.
The car has a compact, ultra-dynamic body. The wheels set in the far corners, minimal overhang and high waistline underscore the dynamic feel and promise a great drive.
The blue paint finish on Twin’Run features taut, graphically drawn lines with emphatic shoulders enhanced by touches of red on the strip running all the way along the body, as well as two red bands on the roof. Red also figures at the front, where it underlines the grille and air intakes, and on the ultra-slim door mirrors and the tips of the rear airfoil. A red surround emphasises the circumference of the black and white wheels.
The “5” on the doors refers to the R5 Turbo, the emblematic 1980s rally car.
A host of details pay homage to this illustrious forerunner, including the design of the headlights and the generous haunches at the back. The four additional, extra-flat headlights with LED technology are a modern-day take on the light racks used in night rally specials.
“Twin’Run embodies the mad genius Renault has been known for over the decades, to the delight of motor sports enthusiasts. No one has forgotten the R5 Turbo and the Clio V6. Twin’Run is the true heir of those racing cars that had so much appeal,” says Axel Breun, head of concept car design.