Renault Twingo arrives

Introduction

Renault denied UK buyers the chance to sample the first generation Twingo, but it's not made the same mistake again. Feisty, but frugal, the GT is an appealing choice.

What is it?

This is the second-generation Twingo, the first never offered to UK customers. The original model was something of a first, its space-efficient monobox shape, funky youth-orientated style and economical engines seeing it sell tremendously well in the left-hand drive markets it was offered in. Renault realised it missed an opportunity by not selling it here, so has made sure this second-generation car is offered in its showrooms. Sadly, it's all grown up a bit, the Twingo more conventionally styled with a two-box shape and the fun quirks of the original lost. Renault has tried to inject some interest, but the optional exterior sticker packs are a poor alternative for the original's cheeky charm. However, it's pretty green, in fact green enough to warrant Renault's Eco2 model designation, even in the range-topping GT guise.

How does it drive?

The small 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine is willing enough, but its 100bhp never feels quite as enjoyable as the similar outputs offered by rivals such as the Fiat Panda 100hp or the Citroen C2 VTR. What's most unusual about the driving experience is the shear scale of the steering wheel inside. For a small car it feels like it's had the wheel from a coach fitted - it's massive. It steers precisely enough, but what's most likely to appeal to most buyers is its ability to soak up poor road surfaces in the manner of French cars of old; sadly the flimsy interior trim materials also feel like French cars of old. It's badged GT, but never really feels that sporty, and Renault admits that there'll be a more focussed Renaultsport version in the future for committed small hot hatchback fans. Spacious, relatively comfortable and reasonably refined the Twingo isn't going to set your pulse racing, but it's not a bad drive.

Planet hugger or planet mugger?

It might not be the raciest sub-supermini to drive against its competition, but it's one of the greenest. It falls into Renault's Eco2 line-up, for cars with less than 140g/km of CO₂. Only just though, as in GT guise the Twingo is bang on that 140g/km figure. However, its 47.9mpg official combined consumption figure is impressive, though you'll need to drive it with economy in mind to get close to it. Those really concerned about emissions and mpg would perhaps be better served by the 1.2-litre 16-valve non-turbocharged 75bhp version of the same engine offered in Dynamique guise. It achieves 49.5mpg and drops the CO₂ figure to 135g/km. However, we'd take the GT, 1.6mpg and 5g/km a small price to pay for the additional 25bhp.

All Twingos are built from at least 5% recycled plastic and some 95% of the materials it's built from are recyclable at the end of life. If Renault really wanted to offer a greener Twingo they could bring in the 1.5 dCi version, which offers 65.6mpg on the combined cycle, its big-torque output likely to suit the Twingo's grown-up character, too.

Verdict

Renault has finally decided to give us the Twingo, but impressively green as the two choices on offer are it's a shame that the Twingo isn't offered in the significantly more frugal diesel guise. Similarly, all the UK cars come well specified, but we don't doubt there are plenty of people out there who'd live without some of the kit for even lower list prices - even if in this area the Twingo is competitive compared to its competition. Decent economy is appealing, but Fiat's Panda is more fun to drive, though cannot offer anything like the ride comfort of the Renault.