Renault’s radical new Twingo

Renault has taken the wraps off the latest version of its popular city car, the Twingo.

The French giant claims to have taken “inspiration from the legacy left by the original Twingo and the Renault 5”.

The result is a huge improvement on the second generation Twingo which seemed to lose all the cuteness and individuality of the original launched in 1992.

However, it’s the rear-engined, rear-wheel-drive layout that sets it apart from the opposition, resulting in greater agility thanks to its smaller turning circle, plus extra cabin space.

Twingo buyers will be able to choose between four “pop” colours – light blue, white, yellow and red – and there will be personalisation options already familiar to Vauxhall Adam and Fiat 500 owners.

Renault says it’s been heavily inspired by the Renault 5, including the rake of the rear screen and its prominent shoulders which are redolent of the rear-engined Renault 5 Turbo.

The third-generation Twingo has been jointly developed alongside the new Smart ForFour and its opposition includes the VW up!, Skoda Citigo and Hyundai i10. It’s due to go on sale in September.