Key facts:
Model tested: Renault Wind 1.6 Dynamique
Price: £17,300
Date tested: October 2010
Road tester: Martin Gurdon

Ten Point Test rating: 79%
The Twingo-based Wind could be seen as a left-field Mazda MX-5 or Peugeot 207CC alternative, but since Renault aims the car primarily at urban, female buyers, it could even be seen as an alternative to open versions of the Smart Fourtwo. Ultimately, there's nothing quite like it.

1. Looks 7/10
The Wind's stylists had to stretch its little body around the Twingo hatchback's structure, and have gone for cuteness rather than low-slung sexiness. Small wheels and an upright body give a slightly barrel-shaped stance from some angles, but nobody could call this car anonymous.

2. Looks inside 8/10
Inside there's a mix of slightly avant garde shapes and a lot of dark plastics and trim materials designed to cope with getting wet. There are some nice touches, like the loop-shaped door grab handles.

3. Practicality 8/10
The ingenious electric roof does its stuff in 12 seconds, folding into an above-the-boot canopy, leaving a decent amount of luggage space. Open, the car doesn't buffet its occupants; shut the roof and it's perfectly refined.

4. Ride and handling 8/10
On most surfaces the Wind rides well but with the roof open you're aware of some body flexing. Steering is very direct without being twitchy, and while the Wind can be punted confidently into bends, it's engaging rather than overtly sporting.

5. Performance 8/10
There's a turbocharged 1.2-litre petrol and non-turbo 1.6 with variable valve timing. We drove the bigger engined version, which proved free-revving and reasonably refined. Making progress entails working the unexceptional five-speed gearbox hard; Renault claims 0-62mph in 9.2 seconds and a 125mph top speed, but the car doesn't feel especially rapid.

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6. Running costs 8/10
Drivers of the 1.6 Wind can expect just over 40mpg and emissions of 165g/km, but anyone looking for a small user/chooser company car might be swayed by the 1.2's 44.8mpg and 145g/km returns.

7. Reliability 7/10
Renault has had mixed press about quality and reliability; the Wind seemed perfectly well screwed together, and is unlikely to have the niggles suffered by cars like the old Laguna.

8. Safety 8/10
The Wind has a long list of features designed to protect its occupants and other road users including a rigid structure and a range of electronic aids such as brake assist and understeer control. The car's swoopy body does create big three quarter rear blind spots though.

9. Equipment 8/10
Standard kit includes cruise control, 16" inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, electrically adjustable door mirrors, front fog lamps and a CD/tuner with fingertip controls and aux input. Costlier Dynamicque S versions get climate control and Bluetooth.

10. X-Factor 8/10
The Wind's party piece folding roof works really well, and as a weekend car or fun, pre-family wheels it would work well. This is a novel small car which dares to be different, so its long term appeal is difficult to judge.