Renault targets city streets with reinvention of the Twingo

Renault has unveiled the third-generation model Twingo aimed at city drivers

Renault is taking aim at the urban car market with a major redesign for its third-generation Twingo, with the goal of recapturing the spirit of the original release in 1992. Based on last year’s Twin’Z and Twin’Run concept cars, the new Twingo was developed jointly with Daimler and is manufactured at the Novo Mesto plant in Slovenia as what Renault calls a fun, ultra-maneuverable city car.

The most obvious change to the four-passenger Twingo is that it’s now a five-door hatchback – though Renault is keeping it on the quiet by concealing the rear-door handles. The next is that the engine has been moved to a rear mount. The new 864 kg (1,904 lb) Twingo is also 10 cm (4 in) shorter despite its 2.49 m (8.1 ft) wheelbase, yet the interior is 22 cm (8.6 in) longer than the previous version.

The Twingo is designed for navigating tight city streets, with a turning circle of 4.3 m (14.1 ft) and steering that operates through 45 degrees, as opposed to the more conventional 30 degrees, along with an elevated driving position and short bonnet that puts an emphasis on visibility. Renault is also offering a high level of personalization through the choice of colors, trim, and interiors.

"Compact" would seem to be an understatement for the new Twingo with its short nose and the wheels set on the extreme corners, as well as extremely short front and rear overhangs. Like many subcompacts, it looks like it’s all cabin with the bonnet and boot as a bit of an afterthought, but Renault tries to make up for that with a strong shoulder line that becomes broader over the wheels. Renault is so keen on this touch that it even adds graphic decals to some Twingos to draw attention to it. However, this is upset by a puzzling rear spoiler that seems more for aesthetics than function.

Hidden under the boot floor is a choice of SCe 70 and Energy TCe 90, 1-liter, turbocharged naturally aspirated three-cylinder petrol engines mounted to take up as little space as possible and redesigned for the new rear mount. Depending on the engine, the Twingo can crank 70 to 90 bhp (52 to 66 kW) with 91 to 135 Nm of torque. This feeds into a 5-speed manual gearbox.

Since the Twingo is a city car, it isn't made for blistering performance, with a top speed of 93 to 102 mph (151 to 165 km/h), and an anemic acceleration of 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 14.5 to 10.8 seconds. However, there is a MacPherson-type front suspension and a De Dion-type rear suspension arrangement. Renault says that the electric assisted power steering is finely-calibrated for city driving compared with the previous Twingo.

A standout feature of the new vehicle is the interior that boasts as much passenger space as can be crammed into a subcompact, with a flat floor and 50/50-split folding rear seat allowing for a maximum load length of 2.31 m (7.57 ft). Even the engine is designed to fit under the boot for more space, while remaining clear of the wheel wells.

In the cockpit is a large central speedometer and display that draws focus thanks to the contrasting interior trim. There’s also a choice of two multimedia systems, a navigation system based on the R & GO system with smartphone connection capability, involuntary lane departure indicators, and Hill Start Assist for taking off on steep hills.

"New Renault Twingo was inspired not only by the original Twingo but also by the Renault 5," says Laurens van den Acker, Renault's Head of Industrial Design. "It is a modern take on the city car theme with the accent on innovation in terms of its lines and architecture.”

Mazda takes the wraps off the all new 2016 MX-5 Miata in Monterey

Mazda's all new 2016 MX-5 Miata that was unveiled in Monterey

The 2016 Mazda MX-5, aka the Miata, had its global unveiling in Monterey, California tonight after remaining one of the industry’s best kept secrets. This year marks the 25th anniversary for the car, which holds the title as the best selling roadster of all time – so no pressure on the design team.

Loosely based off iconic roadsters from British firms like Austen Healey and MG, the Miata/MX-5 has gone through a number of design and style changes over the years, but has ultimately remained true to its original mandate.

We first got a taste of the architecture and underpinnings of the MX-5 at the New York Auto Show earlier this year. Set on its own display, hidden amongst an array of Miatas, Mazda showed off an all new MX-5 chassis and drivetrain. But that's all the company has divulged about the car since then. But tonight it finally took the wraps off the car to a packed house somewhere in Monterey.

"The re-design of the new MX-5 meant finding a balance between classic roadster styling and a new, modern take on design," said Derek Jenkins, the Mazda Design Director who hosted the event. "But in the new car we hopefully have found that balance with a design that is dramatic yet still reminiscent of the original concept."

Starting out at the MX-5's new nose, Jenkins pointed out how the new hoodline is quite a bit lower and more aggressive than previous models, while the noseline now starts much closer to the ground than before. And the front end is not only lower, it’s also sharper and more dramatic – a term Jenkins used repeatedly throughout the presentation. The new tapered headlights sit above a hungry looking grill opening, flanked by chiseled duct openings reminiscent of a Mustang.

Not only is the car more sculptural, it's also wider, which in theory should only enhance cornering stability and handling capabilities. That added hip width also adds to the car's more dramatic stance and further accentuates the revised design details. Moving down the side of the car Jenkins draws attention to the reworked hips and dramatic rear taper out back.

From the three-quarter view, the car has a touch of BMW Z4 in it, as well as a hint of Honda S2000 – the car still retains its own identity and style but it's something the fanboys will surely make note of. The A-pillar remains blacked out again, which coincides nicely with the all-black interior. "The interior of the new MX-5 is nicely finished out but very much driver focused," states Jenkins.

Specs and options for the Japanese version indicate the car will be outfitted with a SKYACTIV-MT 6-speed manual gearbox connected to a SKYACTIV-G direct injection petrol powered engine. Suspension up front is of a double wishbone configuration, whereas a multilink setup has been put in place in the rear. Steering will be of the electric power assisted rack and pinion variety.

No word on pricing, but the new 2016 MX-5 is set to be available in North America starting sometime in 2015. We're hoping for sooner rather than later.

KillaJoule electric sidecar motorcycle hits 241 mph, smashes multiple records

Eva Håkansson has broken a number of land speed records with her KillaJoule electric sidecar motorcycle (Photo: BonnevilleStories.com)

Land speed record chaser Eva Håkansson added another three titles to her collection at the Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials last week. Håkansson hit 242 mph (389 km/h) in her home-built electric sidecar motorcycle "KillaJoule." She is now the world's fastest woman on a motorcycle.

Gizmag featured Håkansson back in 2012 when she had recently pushed KillaJoule to just over 216.504 mph (348.429 km/h), also at the Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials. That took her to within 3 mph (4.8 km/h) of the 219 mph (352 km/h) record for an electric sidecar motorcycle. This time around, she beat that record by 25 mph (40 km/h).

Håkansson's speed topped out at 241.901 mph (389.219 km/h) with a two-way average of 240.726 mph (387.328 km/h), pending official certification by the American Motorcycle Association. Assuming the result is made official, titles will be also held for "fastest electric motorcycle in the world" and "fastest sidecar motorcycle in the world." Notably, the latter title also includes sidecar motorcycles with internal combustion engines.

"This is a truly historic event," says Håkansson in a press release. "It is the first time in over a century that an electric vehicle beats internal combustion for a vehicle type. The last time this happened was in 1899 when the world's fastest car was the electric car 'La Jamais Contente' driven by Camille Jenatzy at 65 mph. Since then, internal combustion has dominated everything."

Håkansson and her husband Bill Dubé, both mechanical engineers, have worked on KillaJoule for five years. It is powered by two Rinehart Motion Systems PM100 controllers that, combined, produce 400 hp. It weighs about 1,540 lb (700 kg) including Håkansson, and measures 19 ft (5.6 m) long, 21 inches (0.53 m) wide and 38 inches (0.96 m) in height.

The vehicle has a fiberglass composite nose cone, canopy and sidecar wheel cover, along with pre-painted aluminum body panels. Hard rubber compound tires are employed and speed is controlled by front and rear disc brakes, as well as two Kevlar ribbon brake parachutes.

The video below shows a front-facing view of Håkansson's record-breaking run from inside the cockpit.

Hands-on: Samsung Galaxy Note 4

Galaxy Note 4 (Photo: Will Shanklin/Gizmag.com)

The Galaxy Note 4 will almost certainly be the most popular product Samsung revealed today. But, in many ways, it's also the tamest. Sitting next to a Jetsons-like smartwatch, a virtual reality headset and a phablet with a wrap-around display, the Galaxy Note 4 is, well, a little predictable.

But that isn't necessarily a bad thing. While these other devices show Samsung trying to push the envelope, the Note 4 is more of an iteration of a Samsung's most popular innovation.

The Note 4 has a 5.7-in screen. That's the same size that we saw in the Note 3, but the Note 4's version gives you 78 percent more pixels. The new phablet's Quad HD display looks terrific. Is it a huge upgrade over 1080p? Well, my eyes didn't see a huge difference in the hands-on area, but I'm sure we'll have much more to say after spending some extended time with the device.

Physically, the Note 4 looks and feels a lot like the Note 3. It's roughly the same size, and carries the same faux leather finish as its predecessor (minus the fake stitching). And yes, it skips the dimpled look that we saw on the Galaxy S5 and Galaxy Tab S.

Another feature that the Note 4 didn't borrow from the GS5 is water resistance. I suppose it makes sense, as a waterproof Note would require some sort of covering over the slot where you stash the S Pen.

The Note 4 also delivers an upgraded 16 MP rear camera along with some optical image stabilization (OIS) tagged on this time. Samsung is also promising brighter images shot in low-lit conditions with the new camera. Oh, and there's also a panoramic selfie mode tied to the front shooter (perhaps Samsung's product placement team will find use for this at next year's Oscars).

One feature that might not get much press – but that could end up being a big addition – is the Note 4's quick charging. When using the default Samsung charger, Samsung says that the phablet's battery can jump from 0 to 50 percent in just 30 minutes.

The GS5's Ultra Power Saving Mode, which limits available apps to turn 10 percent battery into 24 hours of uptime, also makes the leap to the Note 4.

Being a Galaxy Note, we naturally have a stylus onboard. It would have been nice to see a more premium look and feel for the new S Pen, but the Note 4's pen feels, more or less, like the same stubby little piece of plastic that we've seen in previous Notes. Samsung does say that the new pen is more responsive, with more lifelike brushing, than previous models. I played with it in the hands-on area, but we'll need to take much more time before jumping to conclusions about those claims.

One nice little touch that a rep demoed for me: after jotting a note (something the Note series has always been good at), you can now drag and drop it onto your home screen. There it will live as a little virtual post-it note. When you're done, just drag it to the trash.

The new Note also lets you select multiple items (like images in the Gallery app) just by dragging the pen over them. It's positively mouse-like.

Gizmag will have much more on the Galaxy Note 4 as we moved towards its launch. Pricing info isn't known yet (those pesky US carriers tend to prevent us from knowing things like this in advance), but we know that it will launch this October.

Pioneer DDJ-WeGO3 allows DJs to mix tracks from Spotify

The Pioneer DDJ-WeGO3 is a tactile DJ controller that allows DJs to mix tracks directly from Spotify

The days of a DJ turning up with a bag full of records to play on a pair of turntables are long gone. Today, digital music has largely taken vinyl's place and you don't even need the files on your computer any more. The new Pioneer DDJ-WeGO3 allows DJs to mix tracks directly from Spotify.

The DDJ-WeGO3 isn't the first DJ controller that allows users to mix tracks from Spotify. When the Pacemaker iPad app was released in February, Spotify called it the first of its kind, whilst Numark has also released a physical controller for those who prefer a more tactile DJing experience.

The original DDJ-WeGO and its successor the DDJ-WeGO2 were aimed at beginners or budget users as a physical controller that would provide the functionality of CD decks or vinyl-emulation software. The DDJ-WeGO3 is still designed with these groups in mind, but is increasingly feature-loaded and slick-looking.

The new model has an understated and solid-looking design, with a new aluminum top plate. Thick curved edges and chunky buttons have given way to a tidier and more minimalist layout.

Pioneer has included a variety of features that you would expect to see on a professional product, such as loop, sound effect and sample controls, with a beat-syncing button also available to give a helping hand. Light effects are used to show when a track has loaded or when different modes are being used.

Users can mix on PCs and Macs from their MP3 libraries using third-party software including djay, Virtual DJ Limited Edition and Serato DJ Intro. Alternatively, it is possible to mix from an iTunes or Spotify library using Algoriddim’s djay 2 app on iOS. The device provides a dock for iOS devices that will charge them while they are in use to allay any concerns about their running out of power mid-set.

The DDJ-WeGO3 will be available from September with a suggested retail price of €299 (US$390).

The video below provides an introduction to the Pioneer DDJ-WeGO3.