A GTI for the cash-strapped, then?
Exactly. Renault’s new Twingo range arrives in showrooms in September, topped by the feisty GT with plenty of downsizer appeal. It only packs a 100bhp 1.2-litre engine beneath its stubby bonnet but Renault claims the £9999 turbocharged supermini delivers the performance of a much bigger-engined car without any economy or emissions penalties. Perfect for budget buyers wanting a lot of flash for their cash.
So plenty of go and tiny fuel bills?
Relatively speaking, yes. The GT’s all-alloy blown unit develops 100bhp at 5500rpm and 107lb ft of torque at 3000rpm – enough to scoot the 980kg Twingo to 60mph in 9.8 seconds and onto a 117mph top speed, while still returning a combined economy figure of 47.8mpg and a 140g/km CO2 rating. That’s a power-parsimony ratio to put it slightly behind rivals like Fiat’s Panda 100 and the Citroen C2 VTS in outright speed but well ahead at the fuel pumps.
So what else do I get for my ten grand?
Standard equipment for the Twingo range – which kicks off with the £8375 Dynamique 1.2 – includes anti-lock brakes with electronic brake distribution, four front airbags, MP3 anchor point for the stereo, while the GT picks up some go-faster addenda including a leather steering wheel, bespoke 15inch alloys, electric and heated silvered doors mirrors, a stubby exhaust pipe, a stiffer suspension set-up and tinted glass.