The Twingo was designed in 1993 by the then chief designer of Renault, Patrick le Quement. It is claimed that the inspiration for the design shape came from the Polish Beskid car, also using the leftovers of the Renault 5. At the time of release the features of the Twingo where unique, such features as a centrally mounted instrument panel, sliding rear seats and boot parcel shelf. These features were risky and were never seen before. The Twingo was launched in 1993 and was an instant success, at the unveiling there were 2240 reservations signed.

The Twingo has gone through three restyling, in 1998, 2000, and 2004, since it's inception. The car was produced mainly in France initially, with Uruguay and Colombia helping with production from 1999 to 2002.

The Second generation Twingo was released in 2007, with the production of a right-hand drive car for the first time.