Renault Introduces Twingo Art Collection

Renault Twingo Art Collection

By Zack Newmark
May 28, 2009 3:58 PM
Filed Under: Design, European, Lifestyle, Renault, Special Editions

Renault is releasing a new, limited edition lineup to the open market.  The Renault Twingo Art Collection will be kept to just 800 units, all going on sale beginning in mid-June.

Using a somewhat better inkjet printing system than your home office printer utilizes, the Art Collection cars will come with one of several different designs printed on the upholstery.  Although this process is not uncommon, Renault claims this is the first time the technique has been used on a car's interior in Europe.  We're no experts on textile inkjet printing, but we do recall a similar process being utilized on the Fiat 500 Diabolik?

"Inkjet printing opens up an incredible range of creative possibilities by allowing 16 million-colour photographic files to be printed onto a white textile," said Renault Design's Antoine Genin.  "Used in conjunction with short-pile velour, the photographic finish is not only soft to the touch, but also complies with our commitment to providing our customers with lasting quality."

Four different designers were asked to submit designs to be used on the upholstery.  In the end, Renault chose Swedish designer Christina Drejenstam's work, "Faces."  In describing her work, Drejenstam said, "For me, this illustration is a sensuous expression of the modern woman. The simplicity of its lines serves to highlight evocative details."

The other designers included French fashion designer Laurène Stein, Australian illustrator Jeremy Somers, and a fourth German stylist, fashion designer, Moritz Rogosky.

Each of the Art Collection vehicles comes with the Pearlescent Black exterior paint job.  The lack of a choice here is rather disappointing, since the cars seem to be an exercise in personal expression.  If that is the case, the consumer should have a say in the color of their car.

You can check out a few demonstration models at the L'Atelier Renault storefront on Paris' legendary Champs-Elysées.  Customers in France may place their orders from 15 June.  The Renault Twingo Art Collection with the 1.2-liter, low-emissions petrol engine has a starting price of €12,050, including a €700 price break for the car's low CO2 emissions.  Getting the normal 1.2-liter engine, with shorter gear ratios but the same power output, removes the price break.  Customers may also choose the even-lower-emissions dCi 65 diesel engine, for an extra €1,600.

Press Release

RENAULT INTRODUCES TWINGO ART COLLECTION

Technology inspired from the world of fashion features inside the latest take on RENAULT

TWINGO, an exclusive limited edition of 800 cars which goes on sale on June 15. The new 'Art Collection' series takes its inspiration from fashion:

TWINGO Art Collection, exclusive on two accounts:

 

 

RENAULT TWINGO Art Collection is an affordable limited edition based on the model's Dynamique equipment level, with a price tag starting at €12,050 (deduction of the French state's €700 'eco-bonus' included).

After going on display from May 28 until June 11 at L'Atelier Renault (33 avenue des Champs-Elysées, Paris), RENAULT TWINGO Art Collection will star in an innovative staging on the internet accessible via the ELLE website (http://www.elle.fr ) from June 15.

UNPRECEDENTED TECHNOLOGY FOR A EUROPEAN PRODUCTION CAR

Automotive upholstery in Europe tends to employ weft and warp fabrics with a pattern formed by weaving threads of different colours, or occasionally using the technique of roller printing. Until today, high-precision inkjet textile printing has been restricted to haute couture or off-the-peg fashion. Its employment in the world of the automobile has essentially been limited to show cars. Indeed, Renault used the technique for its Modus show car which was unveiled at the 2004 Geneva Show featuring an upholstery pattern based on the theme of photographic reproduction.

Antoine Genin (Colours and Materials Director, Renault Design):

"Inkjet printing opens up an incredible range of creative possibilities by allowing 16 million-colour photographic files to be printed onto a white textile. Used in conjunction with short-pile velour, the photographic finish is not only soft to the touch, but also complies with our commitment to providing our customers with lasting quality."

AN EXCLUSIVE LIMITED EDITION WHICH TAKES ITS INSPIRATION FROM THE WORLD OF LADIESWEAR FASHION

The work selected for TWINGO Art Collection from the projects submitted by the four designers was 'Faces' by Swedish stylist Christina Drejenstam.

All four projects will be published on the bespoke Twingo Art Collection website produced in association with ELLE (www.Elle.fr).

' Faces', by Christina Drejenstam:
"For me, this illustration is a sensuous expression of the modern woman. The simplicity of its lines serves to highlight evocative details."

A PARTNERSHIP WITH ELLE AND THE ELLE FOUNDATION

To reach out to fashion conscious lady motorists, Twingo Art Collection is to star on a bespoke website which will focus on the world of design, while at the same time giving potential customers a chance to share their opinions and cast their vote regarding forthcoming collections.

Within the framework of its association with ELLE, Renault invited the winners of the ELLE Foundation's annual ELLE Solidarité Mode contest to express their vision of the 'free-minded' car. A jury made up of representatives from Renault and ELLE then selected three designs which will also feature in the Twingo Art Collection section of the ELLE.fr website. Visitors will be able to vote for their favourite design and perhaps win a TWINGO Art Collection.

DESCRIPTION (FRENCH MARKET)
TWINGO ART COLLECTION: AN EXTENSIVELY-EQUIPPED LIMITED EDITION WITH PRICES STARTING FROM €12,050*

In addition to its soft touch velour upholstery featuring the exclusive 'Faces' pattern designed by Christina Drejenstam, Twingo Art Collection is equipped as standard with:

Petrol engines:

Diesel engines:

CREATIVE TALENT

Renault approached four designers, all from different backgrounds, and specializing in different areas of the creative spectrum, with a view to revisiting Twingo.

Christina Drejenstam: Swedish, illustrator, stylist
Christina's Bachelor of Arts degree is a testimony to her ability to master such classic art forms as drawing, painting and sculpture, Her individual style combines modernism and classicism with a distinctly feminine touch. Her illustrative work is strikingly simple, yet extremely precise in its details. Her talent has already been spotted by brands like Chanel and Nike.

Laurène Stein: French, stylist, fashion designer
Laurène Stein initially studied visual arts before switching to applied arts and then styling studies at the Atelier Chardon Savard. After gaining experience working with young creators in a number of leading houses, she finally set up on her own and established her own brand. Her work is characterized by a very precise take on femininity, which places the emphasis on close cuts and sophisticated yet irresistibly appealing graphic designs. She has developed her own, unique technique, and her portfolio includes such striking items as Bulles bags which are particularly popular in Japan, not to mention her latex bodices which have led to her designing a range of stage costumes for the French rock group Mademoiselle K.

Jeremy Somers, Australian, illustrator
Designer Jeremy Somer has an eye for interesting colour combinations and an approach to objects and people which sits on the border between real world and virtual. He is a big fan of illustrative art, and is irresistibly drawn by the worlds of design and photography. Moritz Rogosky, German, stylist, fashion designer Moritz Rogosky was born in Germany in 1966, but lived in New York until the age of 16. He moved to Paris in 1982 where he enrolled at the Studio Berçot in 1985, graduating in 1987.Moritz Rogosky, German, stylist, fashion designer

Moritz Rogosky, German, stylist, fashion designer
Moritz Rogosky was born in Germany in 1966, but lived in New York until the age of 16. He moved to Paris in 1982 where he enrolled at the Studio Berçot in 1985, graduating in 1987. Very quickly, he chose to specialize in menswear and launched an initial collection for the Japanese market. His multi-cultural background, eventful adolescence in New York, highly creative grandfather - who worked in advertising in the 70s and 80s - and family which produces high-end wine in Tuscany have all influenced his chic yet offbeat collections which make references to the worlds of art and savoir-vivre. His cutting-edge creative style maintains a certain flexibility which seeks to mirror the new generation of young men.

A PARTNERSHIP WITH ELLE AND ITS FOUNDATION

Created in 2004, at the same time as the ELLE Foundation, the ELLE Solidarité Mode (ESM) contest is one of the body's most emblematic projects and seeks to promote the emancipation of women and girls through education.

Thanks to ESM, the world of fashion is now accessible to young women from less privileged backgrounds. Those who are selected are given a chance to develop their talent and creative skills in one of three celebrated Parisian fashion schools, namely ESMOD, the École de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne and the Studio Berçot.

Each year, in the name of solidarity, the ELLE Solidarité Mode contest brings together an exceptional array of personalities and leading designers who together form the prestigious jury which selects the 10 finalists. The likes of Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, Nathalie Rykiel, Agnès B., Kenzo Takada, Christian Lacroix, Vanessa Bruno, Isabel Marant and Véronique Nichanian have all been involved from the outset, but have since been joined by Jean-Paul Gaultier, Jérôme Dreyfuss, Barbara Bui, Véronique Leroy, Ivana Omazic, Riccardo Tisci, Elie Saab, Vanessa Seward and Olivier Saillard.

Every year, between 250 and 300 young women forward applications.

Following an introduction from Renault Design regarding the thinking behind the project, a number of ELLE Solidarité Mode graduates submitted their personal take on Renault Twingo. A jury made up of representatives from Renault and Elle selected three of these works:

Delphine Katterbach was 21 when she took part in the ELLE Foundation contest in 2007. She is currently in her second year at ESMOD and next year hopes to graduate to the menswear course. For Renault, Delphine came up with an urban-themed illustration with a distinctly Arty Pop flavour.

Stéphanie Thépaut is in her final year at the École de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne. She has already completed an internship of several months at Stella Forest. Stéphanie's pattern features floral art, with a Grande Fleur motif based on multi-coloured plumes.

Marie-Laure Solinas: During the selection process in June 2008, it was Marie-Laure's personality which won over the jury. She exudes self-confidence and has a thorough understanding of the fashion world. Marie-Laure only wears second-hand cloths which she recovers from specialist outlets or recovers from the things people throw away. For her Renault project, Marie-Laure chose a modern, creative approach based on the traditional technique of crochet which stands out as a modern form of  customization.