2010 Renault Twingo RS 133 Cup

Some people protest that the rest of the world gets really cool cars while we here in the U.S. are subjected to watered down versions of automobiles that are more fun to drive in other parts of the globe. Unfortunately for domestic drivers, Renault hasn’t sold a new car in the U.S. since the 1980s so we will never know the joy of driving a Twingo, just saying the name is fun. Adding to an already great product, the French manufacturer has decided to churn out a few stripped down lightweight examples of one of Europe’s favorite hot hatches.

Just like Hyundai’s upcoming Genesis Coupe R-Spec, the Renault Twingo RS 133 Cup is a more affordable variant of a sporty economy car that comes with a few key components that makes the more expensive models great while ditching a few unnecessary items to keep costs down. Aimed at delivering a more focused driving experience with less equipment and a lower price, the factory tuned Cup car will go on sale in places like Europe and South America starting in November, starting at around $17,000. The Renault Twingo RS 133 Cup keeps Renault’s optional sport suspension that lowers the car almost an inch and a half while incorporating firmer dampeners and a set of springs that are about ten percent stiffer than the factory coils. You also get a set of 17 inch lightweight aluminum alloys wrapped in sporty rubber, but you don’t get a few things like air conditioning and the Twingo’s signature sliding rear buckets; however you can get Glacier White bodywork with a few accents done up in glossy black.

Even though the RS 133 Cup has all the proper equipment to go fast around the bends, it is still powered by a 133 HP 1.6 Liter four cylinder and takes all of 8.7 seconds to go from 0 to 60 MPH on its way to a 125 MPH top speed. Now those performance numbers aren’t quite that impressive, but we can guarantee you that it gets great gas mileage. Perhaps a few of these factory tuned lightweight econoboxes would go a long way towards breathing a healthy dose of fun into an automaker’s lineup while helping out their CAFE situation at the same time.

Press release after the jump.