Renault has announced the prices for the facelifted Renaultsport Twingo, confirming that it will go head-to-head with the much-lauded new Suzuki Swift Sport.

However, the Twingo's starting price of £13,565, on the face of it only £65 more than the Suzuki, does not include the optional Cup chassis. At £700, the one option that will be crucial to keen drivers takes the price to £14,265 on the road - perhaps enough of a difference to matter.

Although the major changes are cosmetic only, the chassis and 133bhp engine having been left well alone, there are some extra items of kit installed as standard in the new model.

Bluetooth, cruise control and a speed limiter, gloss black wing mirror housings and an `F1-style' front blade are all included.

CO2 is down to 150g/km and fuel economy is up to 43.5mpg, both 3% improvements on the old model. Performance figures stay the same, including a top speed of 125mph and a 0-62mph time of 8.7 seconds.

The Cup chassis pack includes 17-inch wheels versus the standard car's 16s, a 4mm lower ride height and stiffer springs and dampers. Its tyres are wider than those on the model it replaces, at 205mm.

Other options include just the larger alloy wheels for £500, curtain airbags for £250, metallic paint for £460 or the Renaultsport fans' favourite Liquid Yellow i.d. paintwork for a mildly shocking £1,300.

For £150 the front 'blade', the door mirror housings and the rear spoiler can be finished in anthracite grey.

Order books will open on April 2, with examples in showrooms from April 23.