The Renault Twingo GT is a tiny hot hatch

Renault may have disappointed hot hatch fans by cancelling production of the Clio RS16, but it’s hoping to make amends with this, the teeny Twingo GT.

We’ve been wanting a hot version since the newly rear-wheel drive, rear-engined Twingo launched a couple of years ago. Sounds like a great basis for a fun car, no?

Alas, it’s not a full-strength Renaultsport car. This is the Renault Twingo GT, a slightly hotter version of TG’s 2014 City Car of The Year and effectively the same car underneath as the rear-engined, rear-wheel drive Smart ForFour Brabus.

The Twingo has the same 898cc turbocharged three-cylinder engine, with the same 108bhp and the same 125lb ft of torque (up from 89bhp and 100lb ft) as the Smart. But while the Smart is only available with an automatic gearbox, the Twingo is manual-only. Good.

Performance is at the milder end of the hot hatch spectrum, with a 113mph top speed and 9.6sec 0-62mph time. The upshot is 54mpg fuel economy and a tiny car tax bill.

Elsewhere the suspension has been revised (and lowered by 20mm) and the ESP has been recalibrated, apparently allowing “a very slight drift” if you childishly prod the throttle out of tight corners. It does so with “no detriment to safety”, we’re promised…

There are also 17in alloys, inspired by the Renault TwinRun concept, more air intakes (spot the little extra one protruding from the rear flank), central-exit exhausts and some Renault Sport badges.

As you’d expect for a small, fun car, there’s a plethora of colour and trim options, with prices for the little Twingo GT starting at £13,755. Want one?