Long-term test review: Renault Twingo ~ station of gear

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5 May, 2015 1:45pm Henry Willis

First report: Innovative city car is the latest model to join our fleet

Mileage: 1,306
Fuel economy: 47.2mpg

When the third-generation Renault Twingo was first announced, one key detail stood out for me: its rear-engine layout. This harks back to fast Renaults such as the sixties R8 Gordini and the wild R5 Turbo of the eighties. However, when I arrived at Renault London West to pick up our car, it was clear the brand’s designers went for versatility rather than sportiness.

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As sales executive Chris Williams pointed out, the Twingo’s engine position provides more space in the cabin, plus no front driveshafts make for a super-tight turning circle. But most importantly, it’s great to drive.

Renault Twingo long-termer - front action

Renault deserves credit for making the city car so much fun on the road, especially considering the 0.9-litre turbo three-cylinder engine serves up just 89bhp.

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This comes to life at higher revs, and feels like it’s loaded with far more grunt. The engine is ready to unleash its power when it matters, though. I’ve driven the Twingo in all sorts of conditions, and so far, zipping around crowded London roads feels just as comfortable as taking on high-speed country lanes, or even motorways.

Renault Twingo long-termer - rear action

Our model’s £14,995 price tag may seem steep for a city car, but it’s the top-spec Twingo with several options added. Cruise control is a useful piece of standard kit, and although you may expect dual carriageway work to be a strain in some city cars, the Twingo cruises at 70mph with ease.

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Considering the other optional extras we got with our car, the hefty initial outlay becomes easier to understand. The plush, sporty interior looks great, with half-leather seats – heated for those up front, as part of a £250 extra – as well as matching, colour-coded parts of the dash and door panels.

A peel-back fabric roof (£850) means I’ve been making the most of the warm weather we’ve had so far this year, and as the car also gets air-con, I’m prepared for every temperature that Britain can throw at me.

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Although the Twingo is a star on the motorway and country roads, it feels most at home in its natural habitat – the city. It owes some of its brilliance here to its central touchscreen, which features TomTom sat-nav with live traffic updates.

Renault Twingo long-termer - panoramic sunroof

Staying one step ahead of jams is key for me, as I travel from south-west London to our office in the centre of the capital every day, and the flow of traffic is unpredictable. However, the TomTom eyes hold-ups and reroutes accordingly, plus it’s become so useful that I programme in all destinations for the traffic updates, even if I know where I’m going.

Bluetooth hands-free calling and iPod and SD card compatibility for music playback are further excellent additions to the multimedia unit.

Renault Twingo long-termer - sat nav screen

So far, it’s tough to fault our Twingo. The engine is unrefined when starting from cold and could use a temperature gauge, but seeing as there’s not even a rev counter, I’m hardly surprised that this is missing, too. And while rear legroom is cramped for my six-foot, three-inch frame at the wheel, the rest of the interior is relatively roomy.

Every time I grab the keys to the Twingo, I really look forward to driving it; and I can’t wait for it to take me on more adventures.

*Insurance quote from AA (0800 107 0680) for a 42-year-old in Banbury, Oxon, with three points.

The Twingo has got off to a flying start on the Auto Express fleet, demonstrating a wide range of abilities which mean it’s well worth considering if you’re in the market for a fun city car with youthful appeal. This top-spec model is pricey, but it’s loaded with kit.

Model: Renault Twingo TCe (90) Dynamique S
On fleet since: March 2015
Engine: 0.9-litre 3cyl turbo, 89bhp
CO2/tax: 99g/km/£0

Options: Bodykit (£250), panoramic fabric sunroof (£850), Seats Pack (£250), Techno pack (£600), Convenience Pack (£500)
Insurance*: Group: 8, Quote: £347
Mileage/mpg: 1,306/47.2mpg
Any problems?: None so far

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