THERE’S a video on YouTube in which he of the seemingly constantly miserable face, Fernando Alonso, drives a Twingo Renaultsport around a racetrack.

As he gets himself comfortable in the cockpit, he allows himself the briefest of brief smiles.

That was all the confirmation I needed to know that this car was going to be fun.

After all, if it can put a smile on the face of Fernando Alonso, just think what it would do for me.

With the Fiat 500 Abarth as its main rival, the Twingo needs to be memorable.

It’s considerably cheaper, which isn’t a bad start, but where the Renault wins on price, the Fiat has the edge on looks.

I haven’t driven the 500 so I can’t comment on its other aspects, but I’ve had more that enough time in the Twingo to know that if it is better it will have to be some car.

Powered by a 1.6 litre engine that develops 133bhp, it is capable of hitting 125mph in 8.7 seconds. OK, so it is not going to break any records, but trust me, it feels a lot quicker, due, in the main, to its size and weight.

Punch the accelerator and, so long as you get it right, there’s no hint of wheelspin. Gear changes are short and sharp and before you know it you’re at the limit.

Getting there is fun, too, because it’s so engaging to drive.

Yes, the ride is a little hard. Let me correct that, the ride is very hard, but that's understandable when you consider the chassis of this, the Cup version, has been lowered four millimetres further than the original Renaultsport specced version.

The springs have also been stiffened and the damper settings tuned so you have to expect to compromise on comfort.

There’s a fun little engine note that can be generated by dabbing on the accelerator or changing up and down.

The engine noise itself can become a little invasive at speeds in excess of 60mph and I can imagine it being a little wearing on the motorway.

Like most small hot-hatches, the Twingo really comes into its own on twisting back roads. Because of its low centre of gravity, it is hard to upset it in the corners and, while I can imagine changing up and down all the time will be exhausting for some, for me it just added to the experience.

The sporty theme continues with the lay-out of the cabin. The speedometer, which is offset, has a digital read-out, while the rev counter is mounted directly in front of the driver. This means that you tend to watch your speed based on the needle in front of you and not the numbers to your left, but after a while you get used to it.

The seats are figure-hugging, to say the least, and those of a larger persuasion may find them uncomfortable.

There is plenty of room in the front, though I had trouble finding somewhere to put my left foot when I wasn’t using the clutch as the space between the steering block and the centre console is rather tight.

There is a rather neat touch with the rear seats, which move independently of each other, meaning that although you can only get two people in the back, no matter what their size, they should find it a comfortable environment.

Equally, when you are not carrying anyone in the back, the seats can be moved to create a not insubstantial load space.

I had the Twingo for seven days and at the end of every journey I was left wishing the trip was just that little bit longer.

So while it only put a small smile on the face of Fernando Alonso, the smile it put on mine was infinitely broader.

Specification

Maximum speed: 125mph
Maximum power: 133bhp
Maximum torque: 118lb/ft
Maximum speed: 125mph
0-62mph: 8.7secs
Average fuel consumption: 40.4mpg
Equipment (includes): Electric windows; 17ins alloy wheels; airbags; CD player; chrome gear knob; steering wheel mounted controls; ABS; ESP; Renaultsport trim; sports exhaust.