We already knew that Nissan would also have its version of Renault’s smallest EV, the Twingo, coming in 2026. After earlier rumors suggesting that Nissan might revive the Pixo badge, it now seems that the small electric city car will be called Wave.
After redesigning the Alliance, Renault and Nissan are leveraging their agreement to share development and production synergies for their electric models.
For example, the Nissan Ariya and Renault Scenic E-Tech are technically related, both using the group’s ‘AmpR Medium’ platform. Production, however, remains separate, with Renault building its model in France and Nissan building its model in Japan.
The alliance went a step further with the R5 E-Tech Electric and the Nissan Micra. These two small EVs differ mainly in design and equipment but roll off the same production line at the Douai plant in northern France.
Nissan’s version has recently been shown to the public and was launched first in the UK. Nissan aims to attract more female clients for its rounded Micra, leaving the male purchasers to Renault and Alpine.
City car for the smallest segment
In 2026, the partners will expand their model offensive into the smaller segment. Next Spring, Renault will relaunch the Twingo as a modern interpretation of the original from the 1990s.
The all-electric city car aims to appeal not only with its familiar forms reminiscent of the first and most popular Twingo ever, launched in 1992, but also with an entry price below €20,000.
Both vehicles will share technology and will be produced at Renault’s Novo Mesto plant in Slovenia. While the fourth-generation Twingo is slated for a spring 2026 debut, the Nissan equivalent is expected to arrive in early 2027. Nissan really needs a low-cost electric entry model to boost sales in Europe and elsewhere.
Pixo or Wave?
The smallest electric Nissan will reportedly be called Wave, according to French trade magazine L’Argus, which claims to have learned this from company sources. Wave is new to Nissan’s lineup, but it was once a special luxury trim of the Micra, carried as a suffix.
Until recently, speculation pointed to another name. On 6 August, it was reported that Nissan had renewed the trademark rights for ‘Pixo’, previously used on a small car derived from the Suzuki Alto. This led to rumors earlier this month that Nissan might reuse the Pixo name for its upcoming city EV.
Threesome
To keep costs down, Renault has partnered with the Chinese car group Geely (also participating in the ICE division Horse) for the development of the new Twingo. This fourth generation will utilize the group’s ‘AmpR Small’ architecture, while its 63 kW electromotor will be sourced from China.
The battery, with a capacity of around 30 kWh, will be supplied by CATL. Renault claims the pack should enable a range of up to 300 kilometers, and the same should apply to the smaller Nissan.
An even cheaper offer than the Renault and Nissan twins will be a third, Dacia derivative, also based on the same platform and due for launch in 2027 as the successor of the current Spring.
