ONE of the autumn's much anticipated new cars to reach the UK will be the first-ever right-hand drive versions of the Renault Twingo - the production version of which has just been unveiled.

Renault sold more than 2.4 million Twingos following its European launch in April 1993, but it never officially came to this country because it couldn't be converted to right-hand drive, but that will change in September when New Twingo goes on sale here.

Designed to boost Renault's presence in the small car segment alongside its Clio Campus, Clio III and Modus the three-door Twingo chassis is derived from its B-segment platform and a powertrain range featuring the new TCE (Turbo Control Efficiency) 100bhp petrol promising class-leading performance and fuel consumption.

Renault is targeting a younger group of drivers with the look of the New Twingo which has a long bonnet, short overhangs, the robust stance of its rear flanks and its fluid side lines.

The UK will initially only take the more assertive Dynamique and GT versions which have a racier image supplied by a specific front bumper and foglamps picked out by a satin grey surround.

The interior provides a modular package thanks to its four independent sliding seats (fore and aft over a distance of 220mm with a ratchet stop every 10mm) and a versatile load carrying design.

This allows the boot volume to grow from 165 to 285 litres (VDA) with all four seats in place and is extendable to 959 litres with a two-seater layout when the rear seats are tipped forward to form an 'estate car' layout.

The sensation of space and comfort is amplified by the large panoramic electric sunroof which is controlled by a one-touch rotary switch and incorporates an anti-pinch function as standard.

The Dynamique trim level on New Renault Twingo features orange upholstery stitching, a dark grey dashboard and a rev-counter. The exterior comes with sports bumpers and a bespoke grille with foglamps picked out in a satin grey surround.

The body colour exterior mirrors contrast with the black B-post strip while Dynamique models sit on 14-inch wheels with specific wheel trims.

The GT version is even more dynamic and stands out due to its sports bumpers complete with GT branding, body colour side protective mouldings, 15-inch Noxiane aluminium alloy sports wheels, chrome tailpipe, GT-branded sill, rear lip spoiler and satin grey exterior mirror housings.

Inside, in addition to the leather steering wheel and gear lever knob, the GT trim level also offers extra-tinted windows as an option.

To support its youthful image, New Twingo features a "TunePoint"Audio Connection Box which enables personal music collections stored on USB keys, portable MP3 players or iPods to be played through the car's audio system and operated via the steering wheel-mounted controls.

Twingo is also available with hands-free Bluetooth telephone controls complete with 'hold' function for safer motoring. Two petrol engines will bee available in the UK, a 1.2 16V and the brand new TCE 100bhp, both of which incorpor-ate an On Board Diagnostic system for emissions control. The 1,149cc (D4F) engine delivers 75bhp and emits less than 140g of CO2 per km.

New Twingo joins Clio III and Modus as the latest recipient of the new TCE 100bhp petrol engine which is exclusively available for the GT version.

Two types of transmission are ava-ilable: a manual five-speed box and the Quickshift robotized gearbox.

New Twingo inherits the previous generation Clio II chassis which includes MacPherson-type front suspension with hydraulic dampers, coil springs and an anti-roll bar, and a programmed deflection H-beam rear suspension.

This is combined with electric variable power steering which has been tuned to favour control in city use while the GT also comes with bespoke power-steering settings for extra dynamism.

Full UK specification and prices will be announced later in the year.