RENAULT

Renault Twingo becomes the new star of Gran Turismo 7

Sony has just updated Gran Turismo 7, the game that provides the experience of driving the most exciting cars on the market. However, it's not just about exclusive models, untamed power, and breathtaking performance. There are also nostalgic touches for those who occasionally enjoy a game, even after 40.

Kazunori Yamauchi has pulled the covers off the three cars coming to Gran Turismo 7 in next week’s update, and two of them are not quite what we were expecting. The series creator took to social media to reveal the Renault Twingo, Porsche 964 Turbo S, and Yangwang U9 (yes, U9, not the Xtreme) as the trio joining the game on April 23.

The confirmation follows last week’s teaser image, which showed all three cars under dust sheets. The Twingo was the easy call. The other two had us guessing, and in both cases the answer turned out to be the more interesting option.

The Twingo that’s making its way into The Real Driving Simulator is among those very early examples, with an interior upholstery that’s best described as “silly.” “Zany,” even. Twingos aren’t foreign to motorsport, either. There have been Twingo one-make racing series, and one team even sought to campaign one in the Nürburgring 24 Hours, though recent uncool behavior from the organizers has thwarted that objective.

Beyond the little Renault is the 964 911 Turbo S Leichtbau. It’s not the only 964 in the game, but is certainly the rarest, after the 911 Carrera RS. Then there’s the quad-motor Yangwang U9 electric hypercar. This one “only” has 1,286 horsepower; the U9 Track Edition cranks up the power at each corner to 744 hp for a total of 2,977 ponies, but, strangely, that’s not the one that Polyphony has chosen to bring to GT7.

The April 1.69 patch will also bring a new Muscle Car Extra Menu and Power Pack Challenges—quests for rewards that those who purchased the Power Pack DLC from late last year will be able to take on. Expect the update to drop overnight tonight.

The one car everybody correctly identified from the teaser was the original Renault Twingo, and the confirmation simply rubber-stamps it.

58 to 75hp depending on the engine, a cult following in Japan from its original run, and a car that exists in a very different universe from the 1,270hp EV it’s sharing an update with. We’re still assuming engine swaps will appear for this one sooner rather than later…

Knowing that not all of its players are teenagers, Sony has just added the Renault Twingo to its car lineup. And we're not talking about the latest generation or the next one, which will be released this year with electric propulsion and technical components shared with the new Renault 5. We're referring to the original model, that adorable city car that emerged in the 90s and charmed everyone thanks to the surprising space it offered in the rear seats (the rear seat slid back on rails, almost reaching the trunk door) and the possibility of folding down the front seats almost completely.

Of course, when playing, you can't expect great performance, since the virtual performance is in line with the 1.2 graphics engine with which the small Diamond model arrived on the market.

But it's not all about popular models, as the franchise also includes two dream cars. The first is the Porsche 911 Turbo S Leichtbau from the 964 generation. The car was based on a 911 Turbo from the 90s, but it differed by the air intakes on the rear fenders and by an even sportier character, designed to commemorate the German brand's participation in IMSA (the American endurance racing series). Given that only 86 units were produced, it is no surprise that each one easily costs more than one million euros.

And the third addition is the Chinese U9 sports car, from the Yangwang brand (owned by BYD). This spectacular two-seater vehicle boasts four electric motors capable of delivering a combined power of 1,286 hp, allowing it to achieve stratospheric acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.36 seconds and reach almost 500 km/h (496.22 km/h). But perhaps the most surprising feature is its ability to jump (its four wheels lift off the ground) to avoid bumps, a feat achieved thanks to a suspension system that combines hydraulic and pneumatic elements.

In addition, events have been added to the Gilles Villeneuve, Yas Marina and Interlagos circuits, the ability to move the camera up and down has been improved, and a power challenge has been added, offering rewards based on the number of races completed within a specific period.

The Renault Twingo '93 is one of the main attractions of the Gran Turismo 7 update 1.69, released on April 23, 2026. The French compact, known for its peculiar design, was introduced to the game as a "used car" option, standing out as a cult favorite among enthusiasts of the series.

Here are the details of this inclusion (below):

The Car: The added version is the original 1993 model, with its 1.2-liter engine and three-door "minivan" look.

Availability: The Twingo '93 can be purchased at the GT7 Used Car dealership.

Performance and customization: With only 54hp in its original form, the car can receive modifications in "GT Auto" and, more importantly, is compatible with engine swaps, including options such as the Honda 2.4-liter K24A engine, transforming the city car into a high-performance machine.

Highlight in the update: Despite the arrival of more powerful machines like the Porsche 911 Turbo S Leichtbau '93 and the Chinese hypercar Yangwang U9 '24, the Twingo was considered by many players and the specialized media (such as GTPlanet and CarThrottle) as the true "star" of the patch due to its "underdog" nature and nostalgic appeal.

Additional Content: Update 1.69 also brought new menus to the Café (Extra Menu #53) and new events in the World Circuits.

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