WE MISSED out on the first generation Renault Twingo, the French maker only selling its entry-level citycar on the continent. Does their second take on the theme make up for this oversight? Andy Enright takes a look.

As we’re encouraged to live an ever-greener lifestyle, Renault is putting its money where its mouth is, recycling the old Clio platform and producing the second generation Twingo for lifestyle-conscious citycar buyers. Although not as comparatively ground breaking as the original, it’ll still appeal to younger drivers looking for something inexpensive yet stylish.

Two engines are offered, both petrol units and both of 1.2-litre capacity. The first is the 16-valve 75bhp entry-level unit that will comprise the bulk of Twingo sales and which is fitted to the Dynamique model. Optimised for fuel efficiency, this engine will happily idle at just 650rpm.

Sharing 70 per cent of this engine’s parts is the 100bhp TCE (Turbo Control Efficiency) powerplant that Renault fit to the sporty Twingo GT. Renault claims this engine offers the power of a 1.4-litre unit with the efficiency of a typical 1.2-litre. Two transmissions are available, a conventional manual five-speed or the Quickshift robotised set-up if you choose the 75bhp Dynamique. The Twingo inherits the Clio II’s chassis, and keen drivers hardly need reminding this was one of the most capable and fun small car platforms. Electric variable power steering is fitted as standard, the GT getting a beefier set up to complement the stiffer bushes in its suspension.

The shape is nowhere near as radical as that of the original Twingo, looking much like a shrunken Modus but it’s still a very neat piece of styling. The most interesting piece of detailing is the decision to do away with the dihedral Renault front grille, the nose sporting a low front air dam instead. Available in three-door guise only, the Twingo has a number of neat design touches. The swollen wheel arches, novel door catches, GT badging adjacent to the front fog lamps and accessory packs that include flowers, stripes and chequer decals indicate that Renault is looking to offer something that’s not just a me-too contender.

Interior space is reasonable, this generation Twingo being 170mm longer than the original. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the interior is what Renault has done to the rear seats. The two rear seats can slide 220mm fore and aft to prioritise space for people or luggage and they also fold flat and then tumble forwards, offering up to 959 litres of space in this guise. Two models are offered although it’s likely that a stripped out econobasic model will also be slotted into the Twingo range later to offer an eye catching entry-level price. As it stands, the £8,375 Dynamique features a slightly sporting look with a rev counter, sports bumpers and fog lamps picked out with a satin grey surround. The £9,995 GT gets 15in alloy wheels, chrome tailpipes and a rear lip spoiler.

Renault has committed to a "120-140 Pledge" whereby it maintains that by 2008, it will be selling one million vehicles that emit less than 140g/km of carbon dioxide, including one-third that emit less than 120g/km. Both Twingo engines emit less than 140g/km so the French company will hope that these cars shift well. Fully 85 per cent of the car is recyclable by weight. Fuel economy has been improved by the fitment of electrically-assisted power steering which makes a saving of around four per cent on the car’s fuel consumption figures.

The Twingo looks as if it has the ingredients for success.

Factfile

CAR: Renault Twingo range

PRICES: £8,375-£9,995 - on the road

INSURANCE GROUPS: 2-6 [est]

CO2 EMISSIONS: 135-140g/km

PERFORMANCE: [GT] Max 117mph/0-62mph 9.8s

FUEL: [1.2] (urban) 37.6mpg/(extra urban) 60.1mpg/(combined) 49.5mpg

SAFETY: ABS with EBD, driver and passenger lateral airbags.