A really funky-looking car in plenty of bright colours

MORE mature readers will no doubt remember the original VW Beetle with the engine at the rear. The new Beetle has the engine in the front, but last week I drove the new version of the Renault Twingo, which now has the engine in the rear.

This is the third generation of the Twingo, but the first to have the 1.0-litre petrol engine in the rear. The name Twingo comes from an amalgamation of the words

‘twist,’

‘swing’ and

‘tango’ and the car itself is the result of a project in the 1980s involving all major French auto-makers and the French Government.

This version is a big improvement on the first two models and shares the same platform as Daimler’s Smart Forfour – the two vehicles are manufactured at the same factory in Slovenia.

While the majority of new cars have engines at the front, a mechanic friend told me that there is a theory that with the engine at the back it pushes the car forward, rather than

‘pulling the body. There is a small bit of luggage space overhead of the engine, but despite an insulation layer, the area can get a bit hot and you wouldn’t want to have fresh meat or ice cream in your shopping bag.

Meanwhile, it took a bit of expertise on my behalf to gain access to the front boot. It’s difficult to get it open, I doubt if car thieves would even know how to do it. When you do manage to slide it open there is no luggage space; all you can do is top up the fluids and check the battery.

I drove a pale blue version, which got some curious glances, but it’s also available in other bright colours. The interior is very bright thanks to a few touches of white on the dash and doors. The driving position is nice and high and rear end looks a bit like the old Renault 5.

Regular readers will know that there are no fans of two-door cars in our house and at first glance I thought to myself: they won’t like this. But to their delight the handles for the rear doors are hidden.

I found a little bit of a

‘whirr’ when I started up the engine, but having the engine in the rear means that it has to be well protected. It’s well covered, but you need to undo six screws to check for oil or anything else in the engine.

In the cabin there is room for five at a tight squeeze, but it’s more comfortable with four people. The controls on the dash are fine, but the screen to see which radio you have chosen is very small. A useful phone cradle which attaches to the radio area is provided, but I try and avoid a phone when driving. No vanity mirror in the version I drove, which meant unhappy front seat passengers.

Prices start at

?¬13,990 and like most car companies, Renault have a PCP offer for

?¬139 per month. There are three trim versions: Expression, Play and Dynamique.

It’s a really funky-looking car and there are plenty of bright colours to choose from. It should bring a bit of fun into your life if that item is missing at present. It will turn on the proverbial sixpence and is so easy to park.