Renault Twingo: UK Review

It's the rear-engined, rear-wheel drive city car - obviously we had to have a drive

In the interests of fairness and accuracy, it's only right to state from the off that the Renault Twingo is not a mini-911 to drive. Obviously that was everyone's first thought when the layout was announced, right? But Renault is too wise for that; roundabouts littered with cars that have lift-off oversteered into the bushes would be awful for PR. So cast away any ideas of trail braking to shift the weight forwards and using that great traction to fire you from the apex. Front end bob on a bumpy road? Don't be daft. Was a nice idea...

Cool looks serve a purpose as well

Having said that, when clutch slip, throttle and turbo all come together for a sprightly launch from the lights, it's hard not to imagine yourself in a shrink wrapped Carrera. Or indeed something silly from the Renault back catalogue. There's a noise with a hint of six emanating from the rear seats, a real surge of acceleration with the weight over the rear wheels (and 205-section tyres!) plus a seating position right at the front of the action. All jolly good fun, especially if surprising a 320d or something similar.

Fundamentally though the Twingo is a very safe and secure city car. Of course it is. But in a world of fiercely aggressive damping, absolute grip and clever differentials, to drive something fairly, well, roly-poly is genuinely pleasant. The steering won't tell you much, obviously, so grip can be gauged by just how much lean is being generated - long live the French city car! Crucially too it's soft enough to be comfy without being wallowy or languid, even if it's occasionally disturbed by bumps around town.

While there are no great handling vices, that hasn't prevented a fairly draconian traction control system being fitted. Bumpy roundabout exits can occasionally see the orange light flashing angrily and, most worryingly, even in crosswinds at motorway speeds. Not the time you want power cut... Some YouTube research has shown that, even with the TC fuse pulled out, the mapping just won't allow any recklessness. Shame.

Don't mock at 900cc - it's faster than you think!

To more pressing concerns for the city car buyer. When the urban special stage is rudely disturbed by traffic, the Twingo's other attributes begin to shine through. The interior is funky; colourful, interesting and user friendly too. The speedo is large and clear, as is the R-Link display, with simple and stylish ventilation controls as well. The screen could do with a few more buttons, and the seating position is compromised for taller drivers, but overall the Twingo's is a great interior.

But nothing will impress about the Twingo more than its manoeuvrability. Yes, really. Much was made of the turning circle at launch and it's genuinely extraordinary. Three-point turns in the road or car parks suddenly become twirls of the wheel and the car seems to pivot as its stands. Parking is a doddle, and leaving cramped spaces is a cinch with brilliant visibility. For battling the urban playground, or whatever marketing types call town centres these days, there can't be many better cars.

When was the last time you drove a car without a rev counter? The Twingo is tacholess, leaving your ears as the judge of best change up moment. The 900cc turbo is a little laggy, compounded by a fairly torpid throttle response, but there's a solid chunk of torque in the mid-range before it eventually runs out of puff. Keep it spinning in that sweet spot - and stay away from the slothful 'Eco' mode - via a very French (i.e. very long) gearchange and you'll be carrying more than enough momentum. Nobody ever thinks the 'slow' cars are going fast after all...

A very good city car, but so are the rivals

Indeed, even out of city centres the Twingo doesn't feel overwhelmed. Right up to that bizarre traction control intervention it felt comfortable, very stable and easily fast enough, providing you're willing to use more throttle than in larger-engined cars. Annoyingly the clutch rest has been jettisoned in the transition from left- to right-hand drive, which would surely become deeply irritating on a longer journey.

It's hard to conclude on a downer with the Twingo though. The style is backed up with real ability and talent, all while proving deeply likeable and interesting. Problem is, it would appear the city car market is crammed with stylish, capable, likeable cars. The VW Up/SEAT Mii/Skoda Citigo trio is of course hard to avoid, and there's the Aygo/C1/108 triumvirate moreover. That's before the Kia Picanto is mentioned, or the Hyundai i10, or the Fiat Panda... Without having tested them all it's hard to draw definitive conclusions but in isolation the Twingo makes a very strong case for itself. Naturally as PistonHeads we're inclined to discuss Renaultsport but that must be a way off; approach this car as a junior hot hatch and it will fall short but as a cheery and competent city car there's much to enjoy.

RENAULT TWINGO TCE 90 DYNAMIQUE
Engine: 898cc 3-cyl turbo
Transmission: 5-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 90@5,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 100@2,500rpm
0-62mph: 10.8 sec
Top speed: 103mph (limited)
Weight: 943kg
MPG: 65.7 (NEDC combined)
CO2: 99g/km
Price: £12,545 (As tested £13,165 comprising of £20 for storage area under rear seats & net and £600 for Techno pack: R-Link (connected multimedia tablet: 7" capacitive touchscreen, voice control, 2x35W speakers,AM/FM/DAB tuner, TomTom® navigation, Bluetooth® audio streaming and hands-free calls, USB and jack sockets,vehicle & web connection, 3D sound by Arkamys), reverse parking camera)