The Renault Twingo GT Is A Dinky Rear-Engine, RWD Bundle Of Fun

There used to be loads of tiny hot hatches. The Peugeot 106 GTI, the Fiat Panda 100HP, the VW Lupo GTI, the Citroen Saxo VTS, the Ford Sport Ka - all were brilliant fun, but died off without a successor. It seems the landscape is changing though; for starters VW is reportedly making an Up GTI, and before that car even makes its public debut, it has a new rival to vanquish: the Renault Twingo GT.

Oh yes, the quirky little rear-engined, rear-wheel drive city car has spawned a hot version. Well, warm is probably more appropriate: the 0.9-litre turbocharged triple up back has been boosted from 89bhp to 108bhp, while torque has jumped from 100lb ft to 125.

Not a particularly mad set of figures, but given that the standard Twingo tips the scales at around a tonne, it should be quick enough to be entertaining. No performance figures have been revealed just yet, but we’d anticipate a 0-62mph time between eight and nine seconds.

The newfound power and torque are thanks to a modified engine map, plus a new intake system. These aren’t the only changes: under the skin you’ll also find different gearing which “contributes to the new car’s sprightly, free-revving performance,” revised suspension, variable ratio steering and a tweaked ESP system.

We don’t expect the changes to turn the Twingo into a mini drift missile, but in any case, we’re keen to try one and find out - whatever happens it’ll almost certainly be a fun little thing to drive. It’ll be available in the UK this winter, and will make its public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed later this month.