| First Drive | Porto, Portugal | Renault Twingo Renaultsport 133 |

When Renaultsport announced that it would create a version of the Twingo enthusiasts sat up and took notice, as the company's Clio and Mégane efforts are highly rated. Can the new Twingo Renaultsport 133 live up to the hype or will it dilute the brand?

In the Metal

Although we quite like the cutesy looks of the regular Twingo, even the GT version looks a little awkward from some angles. The new Renaultsport model banishes that image forever with a hugely appealing look in keeping with the junior hot hatch ethos. The track is 60mm wider at the front and 59mm wider at the rear in comparison to the GT - significant increases necessitating the addition of wider new wings. These flow into beefier bumpers and sculpted side skirts with a sharp roof spoiler topping things off nicely. Thanks to a 10mm decrease in ride height (14mm in the case of the Cup) and decently proportioned wheels the Renaultsport Twingo sits with a distinctly sporty stance and looks good from any angle.

Less has been done with the Twingo's interior, though Renaultsport-branded sports seats are standard, as is a tactile leather steering wheel and a rev counter mounted behind the wheel with an integrated change up light. The rear seat layout is as flexible as ever and all seats feature 'blood orange' coloured seat belts. Buyers may specify a fixed and removable rear seat too if they fancy saving weight.

What you get for your Money

With the imminent arrival of the Fiat 500 Abarth, the Twingo RS's pricing is key to its success and starting at £11,500 it's expected that the Renault will be distinctly better value than the Italian. The basic Twingo RS isn't all that austere either, though there is a long list of options likely to tempt buyers. The biggest choice to make is whether you go for the regular Sport chassis or the Cup option. At a difference of £650, the decision is likely to be based more on an individual's preferences than cost. That price includes the five-spoke 17-inch alloys pictured (which are notably sportier than the standard car's 16-inch four-spoke versions), a further decrease in the ride height and stiffer springs and dampers all-round.

Driving it

Before moving off in the Twingo it's apparent that the driving position is less than ideal, with the seats - nice Renaultsport items as they are - mounted quite high up. The issue is compounded by the lack of reach adjustment on the steering wheel. However, once on the move these frustrations are soon forgotten, as the Twingo RS is well sorted in most respects. The steering itself is weighty and offers modest communication with the road surface, while the gearchange is satisfyingly slick. Renault has judged the brakes well too, utilising regular components from larger cars in its range rather than shelling out on expensive branded callipers and the like. They withstood abuse commendably well on the launch and the pedal itself is reassuringly firm and easy to modulate.

Performance is good rather than sparkling though. The use of a naturally aspirated engine may divide opinion, as it requires working to get its best, despite the relatively low weight of the Twingo. Renaultsport is proud of the acoustics from the engine, and it certainly makes a pleasing growl at low- to mid-range revs, though it does begin to sound strained as you approach the red line.

Thankfully the Renaultsport chassis makes up for any shortfall in the engine department. In regular 'Sport' guise the Twingo offers up a great blend of suppleness and agility. Cornering is relatively roll-free and the Twingo feels utterly stable and controllable - even when pushed beyond its considerable limits of adhesion. In comparison to the Cup car, the regular RS does take a fraction longer to settle into a bend, but it's quite adjustable on the throttle and if you haven't turned off the ESP it quickly gathers up any minor 'moment' without unduly cutting power. The Cup raises the Twingo's limits further and moves all of a piece, which will please keener drivers. However, ride comfort is compromised.

Worth Noting

Of the numerous customisation options available to buyers of the new Twingo Renaultsport, the 'power pads' at £80 caught our attention. As standard the car comes with a nice pair of aluminium pedals embossed with the Renaultsport insignia, but the power pads feature symbols more commonly found on MP3 players, with a 'play' arrow for the accelerator, a 'stop' square for the brake and the 'pause' icon for the clutch. It's kind of corny, but may well appeal to the young target audience.

Summary

We don't believe that many keen track day drivers would spend their £11,500 on a junior hot hatch, regardless of how good it is and hence the Cup version of the new Twingo RS is likely to be specified by buyers that prefer its appearance to the regular car's. However, regardless of how the car is driven, it will bring a smile to its owner's face thanks to a combination of great looks and buckets of personality. It's really good fun to drive too, yet utterly safe for the uninitiated. The Renaultsport image is in tact: the Twingo 133 is a capable little car and great value too.