Renault Twingo to cost less than £10k

We're very much looking forward to driving the brand new Renault Twingo. Not just because we're excited by the prospect of stuffing a Ross Kemp in the boot (again), but because it's a rear-engined, rear-wheel-drive city car. Honourable dorifto ahoy!

Today, Renault has announced that prices for this rear-engined, rear-wheel-drive city car, which may or may not be able to house an ex-Eastender in its boot (we suspect not), will start from just £9,495.

That's £900 more than the base Toyota Aygo, just over £500 more than an entry-level Ford Ka and over 800 quid more than Volkswagen's rather excellent little Up.

That £9,495 gets the 1.0-litre Twingo ‘Expression', with 70bhp, a 0-62mph time of 14.5 seconds and top speed of 94mph. You'll have to step up to the Twingo ‘Dynamique' and part with £11,695 to get the higher-powered 90bhp, 0.9-litre three-cylinder turbocharged engine.

That car will crack 62mph in 10.8 seconds and top out at a heady 103mph. Aww.

‘Play' models get air con, a height-adjustable driver's seat and steering wheel, and 15-inch alloy wheels. Go for the range-topping ‘Dynamique', and you're looking at front foglights, heated door mirrors, cruise control, lane departure warning, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and pockets in the rear doors.

Regardless of spec, though, all new Twingos will come with the smartphone-operated ‘R & Go' system (nav, telephone, multimedia and trip computer), body coloured bumpers/door handles/door mirror shells, a rear spoiler and LED daytime running lights.

And because it's a modern city car, you'll get a raft of personalisation options to adapt/ruin your Twingo to your heart's content.

Of course, you'll know the new Twingo shares its underpinnings with the new Smart Fortwo, is 10cm shorter than the outgoing model, but boasts a longer wheelbase and more cabin space, and gets a ‘best-in-class' turning circle. You'll also, like us, be eagerly awaiting the RenaultSport hot version.

It's getting tougher and tougher in the city car market - reckon this Twingo's got the street smarts to survive?