Renaults have always been a little bit mad, haven't they? The French marque isn't one to follow the tried-and-tested route and instead choose to bring a unique, typically Gallic flair to the table. Sometimes it fails, sometimes it works, but when it does you're left with absolute gems.
Remember when they squeezed an almighty 3.0-litre V6 into the back of a Clio? Or when they stripped a second-generation Megane, put some questionable stickers on its ample rump and turned it into a road-racing Nurburgring record holder shod with semi-slick rubber? This year also marks the tenth anniversary since they fitted remarkably expensive touring car specification Sachs dampers to a humble Clio. Those cars - the Clio V6, Megane R26R and Clio Trophy - turned into icons.
Now, after an unusually subdued few years, Renault is back to its barmy best, evoking memories of its 1956 Dauphine. Opting once again to shy away from its rivals' recipes in the city car sector, its new Twingo has its miniscule 898cc engine over the rear wheels and has rear-wheel drive. Just like a Porsche 911, no less.
With a tiny turbocharger boosting its three-cylinder plant, it kind of sounds like a miniature one, too. After meekly sparking into life, there's a gruff tone coming from behind your shoulder and that grows into a surprisingly pleasing, half 911-style note once you're up and moving.
The interior manages to be spacious, stylish and intriguing enough to ignite passengers' opinions. Although this model - the Dynamique TCe - costs just £12,465, it never feels cheap, flimsy or poorly made. The seats are way oversized and offer little in the way of support but, on the whole, the Twingo's cabin quality is perfectly acceptable.
You sit high, visibility is great and there's a real low-down urgency. It's surprisingly brisk, but that's down to its turbo adding a healthy dose of in-gear grunt. The miniscule engine - which is capable of 65mpg, Renault claims - produces 90bhp and 100lb ft of torque. That's more than enough in a car which tips the scales at 943kg, enabling 0-60mph in a shade over ten seconds and a 103mph top speed.
Its looks might not be to everyone's taste - particularly in the garish Inca Yellow hue - but it only took about 100 yards for a childish grin to appear on my face. That's because it's fun and despite it being the most simplest of traits, it's a breath of fresh air in today's world of overly complicated cars. I love it for that.
Rear engine, rear-wheel drive... it's like a dream one-two combination for any keen driver. However, for those who aren't blessed with Lewis Hamilton's car control skills, there's absolutely no need to fear the Twingo's potentially loutish layout. It's simply impossible to know its engine's out the back; you'd expect it to offer quite a lot of adjustability in the wet, but there's nothing of the sort in the Twingo. I'd hazard a guess that its safety-orientated electronic stability programme - which you're unable to switch off - plays a major role in the car's judicious approach and its oversteer-free drive.
The steering does tend to feel slightly aloof at speed, chiefly because Renault fits a variable steering rack on the TCe and it never really fills one with confidence when you're above 50mph. However, it's hugely responsive around town and possesses a go-kart-like feel through tighter turns at lower speeds.
That's down to its light front end - there's no engine there, of course - so you're allowed to place it with precision. It's great in its role as a city car too, because its turning circle is laughably good. Three-point turns can be done in two and getting in and out of tight parking spaces is comically easy - just what you're after in congested towns and cities.
Chassis set-ups in small Renaults tend to be excellent and it's no different in the Twingo. Its clutch is as feather light as its steering and although its five-speed gearbox has a notchy feel when it's cold, it soon improves when it's been worked for several minutes.
The Twingo finds itself in an extremely competitive market with the funky Toyota Aygo, Peugeot 108, Citroen C1 and the more premium Volkswagen Up already proving to be hits with their target audience, but once again Renault's initial madness has paid off. Drive one and you'll see it's not at all mad, it's just a very interesting take on the city car recipe.
What the Twingo does is make you smile. It's different, unique and a fresh interpretation in a somewhat excitement-free sector. Things started to get too serious, but Renault's trailblazing attitude has once again proven to be a success.
