What's the news?
Renault-specialist tuning company, K-Tec Racing, has launched a performance package for the Renaultsport Twingo 133 after various road tests suggested that the car's chassis could do with more power. The new 163 (expressed in good ol' bhp instead of hp/PS) pack adds 32hp to the Twingo's standard 1.6-litre 16-valve engine without the use of expensive and complex additions such as turbochargers.
To release the extra power, K-Tec has replaced the exhaust and manifold, fitted Cat Cams Stage 1 to the Twingo's engine and remapped the ECU. These tweaks not only increase power from 133- to 165hp; they also ensure smoother and more linear power delivery according to the tuner, as well as retaining the rev-happy nature of the Twingo's engine. Along with increasing output, the new exhaust system also produces more noise; but not enough for passengers to find it uncomfortable according to K-Tec. The camshaft upgrade has also been carefully fettled to ensure that idle remains the same as the factory model.
No official performance statistics have been released as yet, but suffice to say they will top the standard Renaultsport Twingo's 0-62mph time of 8.7 seconds and top speed figure of 125mph.
Anything else?
The price for the upgrade package is £2,625.60 including labour and VAT. These upgrades can be fitted to any Renaultsport Twingo 133 from 2008 onwards. To spread the cost, K-Tec can supply and fit the components in stages; with the exhaust system coming in at £1,186.80, and the cams and remap priced at £1,438.80. K-Tec has also left the Twingo's bodywork and cabin as standard to further aid affordability.
James Giddings - 30 Jul 2013