► Month 10 with the Renault Twingo
► Comparing the Mk3 to the Mk2
► It’s a Renault Twingo Top Trumps battle
A friend popped round to visit recently, and instead of having a nice cup of tea and a chat was forced to stand around in the cold while I clambered in and out of his car, prodding the controls and distractedly opening and closing the boot.
That’s because he drives the previous-generation Twingo, the supposedly slightly-too-sensible-for-its-own-good Mk2 one. What better way to see just how brave and new the brave, new Twingo is than to compare it directly with its front-engined, front-drive predecessor?
The bubble-packaged newer car’s actually only a few mil shorter than the old ’un but does have a much higher roofline, making it look a bit like it’s standing on tip-toe when they’re parked up together, and a longer wheelbase. That makes for more headroom than you’d ever need or want, and more kneeroom in the rear, but it’s the older car that feels the more practical of the two.
Unusually, its rear seats can tumble and slide individually, and with no engine in the way the boot’s far deeper. Twingo III strikes back with four neatly packaged doors to the old car’s cumbersome two (the Mk2 was only available as a 3dr), and a completely flat, surprisingly reasonable load space when the rear seat backs are folded. Plus it’s cleaner, less thirsty and a great deal lighter.
Still, there’s a nagging sensation that the older car feels more well-rounded and usable than its more daring, creative successor. Which seems a shame, really.
From the driving seat
+ Compact dimensions inspire confidence
+ Rear engine and rear drive bestow it with quirky handling
+ Three-point turns a thing of the past
– Awful, numb, soulless electric steering
– Overtake? What do you mean you want to overtake?
Read the previous long-term update here
Logbook: Renault Twingo Play SCE 70
Price: £9995
As tested: £10,585
Miles this month: 270
Total miles: 6234
Our mpg: 43.3
Official mpg: 62.8
Fuel this month: £31.16
Extra costs: £0
Read more from the March 2016 issue of CAR magazine