RAY MASSEY: Some of the automobiles to stay up for within the 12 months forward

Renault’s Twingo is reborn as a cute electric city runaround.

French bosses initially spoke of prices starting under £17,000. Inflation may see that rise, but it will certainly be under £20,000.

A production version of the new Renault Twingo E-Tech is expected to be unveiled soon ahead of UK sales from 2026.

The new EV aims to emulate the spirit of the original Twingo launched in 1993 as an affordable runaround combining quirky design and practicality. Three generations were produced before it was discontinued in the UK in 2019. The fourth generation model is being relaunched as a fully electric car oozing retro charm with a modern twist.

Minimalist on styling but maximising practicality, it has a friendly face with illuminated headlamp surrounds which – with its bright green paintwork – give it the countenance of a frog.

Circular illuminated door handles are also a nod back to the original. The new Twingo is being developed and produced by Renault’s spin-off electric brand Ampere and will be built in Europe. 

Reborn: A production version of the new Renault Twingo E-Tech is expected to be unveiled soon ahead of UK sales from 2026

It was planned as a collaboration with Volkswagen, but when that deal fell through Renault took on a Chinese partner to fast-track its battery and electric motor technology. 

Ginny Buckley of electrifying.com, who inspected it with me, said: ‘It’s bloomin’ cute. I don’t know whether to drive it or hug it.’

If you want to stand out from the crowd when driving to the ski slopes, how about this from niche French sports car maker Alpine? I inspected the new prototype all-wheel drive five-seater Alpine A390 electric crossover with three powerful electric motors which bosses say will give it best-in-class driving dynamics and the agility of a lightweight car. 

Electrifying: If you want to stand out from the crowd when driving to the ski slopes, how about the Alpine A390

Roughly the size of a Porsche Macan and built at the French Channel port of Dieppe, it is pitched against rivals such as the BMW iX2 and Tesla Model Y

The production model due to be shown this year has already been spotted in disguise on test on public roads before arriving in showrooms priced from around £70,000

Roughly the size of a Porsche Macan and built at the French Channel port of Dieppe, it is pitched against rivals such as the BMW iX2 and Tesla Model Y.

The production model due to be shown this year has already been spotted in disguise on test on public roads before arriving in showrooms priced from around £70,000. The company, a subsidiary of Renault, described it as ‘a true sports car’. Alpine CEO Philippe Krief told me it has ‘a racing soul’ and will give drivers ‘an exhilarating experience’.

In Spring I crawled around what BMW bosses called their Neue Klasse X – or New Class off-roader. 

Soon you will see production versions – starting with the compact family iX3 crossover – before they arrive in showrooms later in the year. 

It offers a minimalist design and a return to a smaller, more classical trademark BMW kidney grille. 

The company says this will be the family face for all future BMW off-roaders.

Polo celebrating 50th anniversary

Polo is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year – that’s the compact Volkswagen car, not the popular mint with the hole.

First launched in 1975 – when the tartan-festooned bell-bottomed Bay City Rollers were storming the charts with Bye Bye Baby and millions were buying Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody – more than 20 million Polos have been sold over six generations.

Mint condition: First launched in 1975, more than 20 million Polos have been sold over six generations

Volkswagen said: ‘The Polo has been setting trends in the small car segment since 1975 and represents typical Volkswagen virtues such as quality, safety and comfort

‘It has delighted generations of people and has become a pioneer in its class: it has always stood for affordable mobility, timeless design and pioneering technology. No vehicle before had been so short and refined.’

To kick-off Polo’s anniversary year, VW Classic will show early models of the Polo, like the one pictured above, at the Bremen Classic Motorshow 2025, running from January 31 to February 2.