Kent Messenger Maidstone

Hot in the

Renault adds more power, revised handling and a GT badge to the Twingo, but do they add more fun? Paul Acres finds out

-

The Twingo GT has arrived with, on paper at least, a none-too-impressive 109bhp under its bonnet.

Despite what might appear a shortage of horses the Twingo has weight on its side. Or rather a lack of it.

Renault Sport have waved a wand over the Twingo but, while there’s a bit more magic than in the standard car, keener drivers will lament the amount of body roll in corners and the too-vague steering.

The suspension has been revised, resulting in a ride that’s slightly firmer than in the standard car and you’ll notice that it’s a little more sensitive over uneven surfaces but it’s compliant enough that you wouldn’t regret making it your daily driver.

It comes into its own negotiatin­g towns and cities, where its additional power and incredibly tight turning circle – made possible thanks to the rear-mounted engine – let you cut through traffic so effortless­ly you could almost believe it was butter.

Its manoeuvrab­ility makes it an absolute doddle to park as well.

You won’t be blown away by the performanc­e of the little Renault’s engine, but it’s unlikely to disappoint either. It’ll dip under 10 seconds in the sprint to 62mph and, while that isn’t going to put the frightener­s on the majority of the establishe­d members of the hot hatch brigade the accompanyi­ng soundtrack is pleasingly enthusiast­ic.

There’s a useful slug of the GT’s 170Nm of torque available mid-range which means that, if you’ve driven one of the other cars in the line-up, you’ll notice it’s significan­tly more potent at higher speeds allowing you to be a little more spontaneou­s in your overtaking.

It might not go quite as I’d hoped – though that disappoint­ment is founded more in my expectatio­ns than

 ??  ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom