Desirable city car with Gallic charms

Renault's new, third generation Twingo is rear-engined, rear wheel drive and has five doors – all firsts from little city car and something that sets it apart from its many rivals, too.

It's stylishly funky, with a hint of retro, but there's substance as well as style – it's also economical and more practical for the city car role than competitors at prices from under £9,500.

As with its stablemate the Clio, there's already a host of colour schemes, decals and accessories to 'personalise' your car.

There are two engine choices, both leaner and greener than their predecessors, and the Twingo is exceptionally well-packaged with trendy looks (and low insurance) to attract the younger driver and functionality for those wanting an economical runabout.

The rear-mounted engine is turned by 48 degrees from the vertical and many of the parts re-engineered so it all fits under the boot without impinging too much on cargo space. The boot holds 188 litres (easily enough for two cabin bags) or if you put the rear seat backs in the upright 'cargo' position available space goes up to 219 litres.

The seatbacks split 50/50 and can be folded flat, giving you a compact estate capable of holding 980 litres of luggage.

Unusually for a car in this class, on top specification models the front passenger seat also folds flat enabling you to carry longer items – up to and including a double bass, apparently.

There's also a large glove box, a handy removable storage bin in the centre console and storage bins in the rear doors.

The car has a two-door, coupe-like appearance but that's because the rear door handles are semi-concealed. The obvious advantage, part front styling of course, is much easier access, especially for adults.

The new Twingo is the result of a collaboration with Daimler in creating the new platform (which it shares with the new Smart Forfour) although the two three-cylinder petrol engines are all Renault. There's a normally aspirated 999cc, 70bhp option across the range, and the now familiar 898cc turbo with 90bhp which is only available with flagship Dynamique spec.

Both are capable of averaging more than 60mpg, so bearing in mind the price premium on every litre of diesel, new Twingo is up there with the best for low running costs.

The lowered powered car is no fireball (0 to 62mph takes 14.5 seconds), but acceleration is smooth and progressive with remarkably little noise or vibration as the revs climb. Once there, it handles the 50 to 70mph bracket easily, so there's no need for motorway runs to be traumatic.

The turbo version, despite having fewer cubic centimetres is much quicker off the mark (0 to 62mph takes 10.8 seconds) and it will still do an official 65.7mpg – and with a 99g/km CO2 rating there's no road tax to pay.

Lower spec models don't have the advantage of 'stop-start' technology so with the 70bhp engine in lower spec models economy falls to a still very acceptable 63.8mpg, taking it just over the CO2 boundary into Band B (free for the first year, £20 thereafter).

Many keen drivers still prefer rear wheel drive, but there are lots of today's motorists who are familiar only with front wheel drive and some may have seen or heard tales of wayward rear ends. But TV antics in such vehicles, of course, usually involve high powered cars on track with the electronic safeguards switched off.

And if you're old enough to remember, for example, early Ford Escorts, remember these were built before the advent of sophisticated electronic stability programmes.

This is standard on the new Twingo, ensuring you track straight and true even on slippery surfaces using a combination of automatic power reduction and braking on individual wheels.

With no engine weight over the front wheels, steering is light when manoeuvring around town but feels positive and nicely balanced on the open road.

The turbo version has variable gear ratio steering which complements its more sporty nature, particularly the quicker response and firmer feel on the open road.

Some small 'city cars' which are fine around town, for the shopping or school runs, can become hard work on longer trips through a combination of noise and vibration, cramped conditions and cheap seats.

The Twingo, though, feels light and airy from the minute you get in to it. Large windows, plenty of roof height and contrasting textures of plastics with colour coding make it a relaxing place to be. It's smooth and quiet, too, as if the engine isn't straining either.

Both test cars were Dynamique versions, which came with big sports-style front seats (height adjustable for the driver in this trim).

The instruments include a large analogue speedo, below which is a comprehensive trip meter. In the centre is the audio/SatNav/ connectivity system (depending on which version you choose), and on all but the base model the air conditioning controls.

Dynamique versions have a standard SatNav system, but for any of the new Twingos there's the option of hooking up your own smartphone via Bluetooth and an 'R&GO' system app which allows the use of navigation, hand-free phone, multimedia and trip computer functions.

All Twingos get front and side airbags, plus electronic stability control, emergency brake assist, tyre pressure monitor and hill start assist as standard, as well as a one-push speed limiter to help keep you on the right side of the law.

Every now and then, a new car is launched which is distinctly different and apart from the herd, and in the case of the Mini and Fiat 500 sales figures prove it's what many car buyers want.

The Twingo has this desire factor, too, with almost limitless options for personalisation and well-packaged practicality.

It might be a surprise to many Britons that Renault has been producing Twingos since 1993. But they may not be surprised to see far more of the third generation car's Gallic charms on our roads.

By John Griffiths