IT'S the city mini with the space to carry a double bass.

The third-generation Renault Twingo springs a number of surprises in addition to fitting a quart into a pint pot.

These include a rear-mounted engine, rear-wheel drive and five doors - all firsts for the model.

It is a chic little thing that reminded me of an eager spaniel - cute, ever willing to please with lots of energy.

French flair is evident inside and out with the decision to stick the engine at the back - an idea much beloved of supercar designers - enabling Renault to pack an awful lot into a tiny motor while giving it ballerina-like balance and agility thanks electronic stability and a weight distribution of 45/55 front to rear.

The front wheels turn through 45 degrees giving a turning circle of just over 14 feet making the Twingo far easier to manoeuvre than most into tight parking spaces.

It handles well under normal conditions and the ride is surprisingly comfortable for such a small car - although on a motorway at speed when it is windy the front end feels a little light and the car has a tendency to be blown about a bit.

The 898cc three-cylinder engine is sprightly - thanks to turbo charging and a smooth five-speed manual transmission - so the Twingo can hit 62mph from a standing start in 10.8 seconds on its way to a top speed of 103mph. It sips fuel with pleasing frugality helped by stop/start and is a tax haven when it comes to carbon dioxide emissions.

The car measures just 11ft 9ins in length but Renault engineers have fitted the petrol engine at an angle so it doesn't intrude into a 188-litre boot which, with the aid of fold flat seats, can be extended to 980-litres with a load length of 7ft 6ins.

In practical terms this means the Twingo can cope with most things a family can throw into it as well as a range of unlikely items for a car of this size - including flat-packed furniture and the aforementioned double bass - as the front seat can be lowered.

There are also plenty of clever storage solutions for your bits and bobs including door pockets, bottle holders, a glovebox and a removable storage bin in front of the gear lever. These are enhanced by underseat storage in the rear.

A decent driving position is reasonably easy to achieve although there is no clutch footrest.

Built at Renault's factory in Slovakia, the latest Twingo is the result of a joint venture with Daimler that has also seen the production of a new smart forfour.

It is competitively priced with even the entry-level Twingo including a digital radio, Bluetooth connectivity and an app-based sat nav system linked to the car via a smartphone.

The exterior can be personalised to your heart's content with all the bright paint jobs and trendy decal style packs beloved of motoring fashionistas these days. All versions come with body-coloured bumpers, door handles, and exterior mirror shells, as well as a rear spoiler and natty daytime running lights.