Codenamed Z17, the show...

Codenamed Z17, the show car"s tight proportions and unusually shaped glass areas are reminiscent of the current Twingo which, although a massive hit on the Continent, was never officially imported into Britain.

While the production version will provide seating for five, the Z17 has a more unusual cabin layout. Renault says that, on average, cars carry only 1.4 people - but, as offering only two seats would reduce practicality, the concept has room for three.

Extra luggage space is provided instead of a fourth chair. However, the production Twingo will be much more conventional, taking its styling cues from the manufacturer"s current Modus supermini-MPV and the next-generation Clio, which Auto Express revealed in issue 838. The showroom version will be sold alongside its supermini sibling, but is to be marketed as a fashionable rival to BMW"s MINI. As a result, practicality won"t be the top priority, and buyers can expect to see plenty of quirky design features inside and out, to create a more adventurous feel.