A few people caught a production model of the new Renault Twingo undergoing final shake-down testing in France. The car was snapped on a transporter and was being returned to Renault's HQ.
The official production model was unveiled in Geneva last month.
For the first time, Renault will bring the Twingo over into the UK in right hand drive form in 2008. The current model has enjoyed huge success across Europe ever since its launch back the 1993. The vehicle then recieved a facelift in 1998. More than 1.5 million units were sold with some being imported into the UK.
Power will come from three 1.2 litre petrol engines; 60bhp naturally-aspirated, 75bhp 16v naturally-aspirated and a 100bhp turbocharged model and one 1.5 dCi diesel engine with 65bhp. The latter should achieve 65mpg and emit 113g/km of CO2, howeveer, it will not come to the UK. All engine will be linked to a 5 speed manual gearbox and no automatic will be offered. A more powerful 1.6 litre petrol with 133bhp is set to be in the pipeline.
The Twingo will take on the Ford Ka, Fiat 500, Toyota Aygo, Citroen C1 and Peugeot 107 in the European market. Prices have yet to be announced but the basic model will start around £7,000 rising to £12,500 for the top of the range model.