Renault Twingo EV concept is here to soothe your 1990s nostalgia

Renault has revealed what's next for the Twingo nameplate: a return to its roots. Previewed by a concept, the fourth generation of the city car will make its debut in the not-too-distant future with a heritage-laced design, an electric drivetrain, and a relatively affordable price.

In a way, the Twingo concept is a wake-up call for 30-somethings like your author: You know you're not all that young anymore when a car you remember from your childhood spawns a retro-styled offshoot. The original Twingo made its debut at the 1992 edition of the Paris auto show, and it clearly influenced the concept created to preview the fourth-generation car. The LED headlights echo the ones found on the original model, though they're far more futuristic-looking, and the three hood vents have been turned into a display that shows the battery's state of charge. The wheelbase looks much longer than the original's, a concession made to carve out space for four doors and a battery.

Out back, it's a mixed bag. The overall shape, with a kink near the middle, is almost more reminiscent of the second-generation Twingo built from 2007 to 2014 than of the first-generation car. The lights are vaguely first-generation-like, while the inspiration for the window seemingly came from the world of ski goggles. Alloy wheels styled like the 13-inch hubcaps fitted to early examples of the first Twingo wrap up the look.