This Tiny Twingo Got R5 Turbo Energy… and It’s Actually Going on Sale

Hatano went back to the third-gen Twingo and turned it into something a bit more playful, but this time it is not just for show. After debuting at Tokyo Auto Salon 2024, the builds came back at Automobile Council 2026 with actual production plans.

The idea is simple. Take the small, rear-engine Twingo and give it the vibe of the old Renault R5 Turbo. Not a copy, just the same kind of attitude.

Both versions share the same base changes. A wide bodykit with new bumpers, custom front and rear fenders, and a much larger roof spoiler. Up front, they add round rally-style lights integrated into the bumper, which changes the whole look of the car.

From there, they split into two directions.

The C’eLavie Cross leans toward a rougher style. It adds more plastic cladding, bumper inserts that look like skid plates, and a suspension lift. It sits on black 16-inch turbofan-style wheels with grippy tires. The whole thing ends up looking like a small urban off-road build, a bit like a scaled-down 911 Dakar.

The C’eLavie 1985 stays on the road. It gets larger wheels, carbon fiber trim, blue paint with orange graphics, and dual tailpipes at the back. It feels more like a classic hot hatch tribute.

Under the skin, both stay close to the original cars. The Cross is based on a 2018 Twingo Intens with a canvas roof and a 90 hp turbocharged three-cylinder engine. The 1985 uses the Twingo GT, which has a 900cc turbo engine making 109 hp and a sharper suspension setup.

There are upgrades if you want more. Hatano can push the engine to 138 hp. Bilstein coilovers are also available to improve handling.

There was also a bigger idea at one point. A 3.5-liter V6 swap, similar to the Renault Twin’Run concept from 2013. For now, that is still just a concept.

Production will be very limited. Around 20 units in total. So far, five have been ordered and two delivered. The styling kit starts at ¥1,350,000, about $8,500. Mechanical upgrades cost extra, around €1,540 for the power upgrade and €1,350 for the coilovers.

The base car matters here. The third-gen Twingo shares its setup with the Smart ForFour, with a rear-mounted engine and rear-wheel drive. That layout is gone on the new electric Twingo E-Tech, which switches to front-wheel drive on the R5 platform.

So builds like this feel like a last take on that setup. Small, simple cars with a bit of attitude, something Renault used to do with things like the R5 Turbo and Clio V6.