Fun-filled French midget gem finally makes it over Channel; in association with fish4cars Val Jessop drives Renault's latest small car-the Twingo.

Byline: Val Jessop

TWINGO... it sounds like a like a clever zip fastener, a special folder system - rather than the name Renault used to introduce its minuscule city slicker when it first sashayed off the assembly line almost 15 years ago.

Francophiles and the French themselves only have been privy to this little runabout and the British holidaying across the Channel, of course, but the Twingo Mk II has arrived in right-hand form on British soil at last.

It is a slightly larger version of the original, and based on the last generation Clio, which is built in Slovenia.

The fact that its predecessor was so admired by Britons-but not available to them in the UK - might have been part of the strong attraction, but it seems to have gathered a stronger fan base since it arrived here in the autumn.

The French midget gem certainly has the cute factor. More importantly, it has the fun factor, nipping in and out of traffic alertly and confidently.

This little workhorse is available with two 1.2-litre petrol engines, the entry-level 74bhp unit, as in the test vehicle, and the gruntier, 100bhp GT version. There are others, including a diesel, but not available in Britain.

The diminutive Continental, even with the smaller bhp output, showed it was no slouch and musters enough muscle, especially lower down the rev counter (perched prettily in its own periscope pod between the steering wheel spokes).

Flexibility, both in the surprisingly sprightly engine and the car's handling agility, all helps towards the fun factor. Not an amazingly swift car, but light and breezy and very biddable.

Steering proved light but precise, and the diminutive Twingo managed to grip well and hold its ground in corners despite its cubic architecture.

Brakes are impressive, but the gears and power unit could sound thrashy if under duress and at high speed.

This, the Dynamique model, planted itself well on the road, provided a very decent ride - despite its chunkiness - and had an amazing ability to mop up potholes rivals would find hard to absorb.

The Twingo still has the short-back-and-sides look and may not be quite as pretty as, say, the Ford Ka, but it has lots of attitude and it's a car that is likely to find favour across the whole spectrum of drivers.

Its young-at-heart, cheeky persona will attract youngsters, the middle-aged and the "silver" motoring brigade because it is such an easy car to drive - and it will gladden the hearts of any eco-warrior with an average fuel return that hovers around the 50mpg mark.

Though its contours are ultra-compact, it's amazing what space the three-door Twingo offers. Four can travel quite comfortably, with excellent seat adjustment for front and rear passengers and the with the rear seats folded, there's a generous load area.

Lots of ingenious interior design elements and packaging means that the Twingo feels bigger than it really is. The grey but durable expanse of dash could be a little more exciting, but for all that, the general impression was one of minimalist chic-and I loved the instant digital speed read-out, again, contained in its own pod on the dashboard.

The Dynamique reaches a top speed of 104mph and whizzes to 60mph in 12 seconds.

Engine, road and wind noise wasn't excessive and the Twingo sallied along motorways quite happily, though I'm not sure I would relish major journeys.

Otherwise, the Twingo, with its well-positioned seats, which could be raised to provide a good command position, is highly functional as well as a fun car. It is well priced at pounds 8,375.

The French midget gem certainly has the cute factor

Renault Twingo 1.2 75bhp Dynamique

THE FACTS

ENGINE

1,149cc 16V

75bhp@5500rpm

107Nm@4250rpm

PERFORMANCE:

Top speed: 106mph

0-62mph:12secs

ECONOMY:

Town: 37.6/open road:

60.1/mixed: 49.5mpg

CO2 EMISSIONS:

135g/km

INSURANCE:

Group 3

PRICE:

pounds 8,375

VERDICT

GREAT handling, lots of rear space, economical to run and cheap to buy. The engine can sound rough, lots of plastic trim, and not as cute as the original but lots of fun. A winner!

CAPTION(S):

It's taken 15 years - but the Twingo has finally made it to British shores; Cute, functional and remarkably roomy