HERE"S proof someone...

HERE"S proof someone has been toying with RenaultтЂ™s Twingo CC! These dinky pictures of a die-cast scale model have surfaced on the Internet ahead of schedule, showing exactly how the compact coupé-cabriolet will shape up.

The styling tallies with the spy shots weтЂ™ve seen of the car in the past тЂ“ the two-seat layout and tall, flat rear deck were visible, even through the camouflage on the prototypes our photographers snapped.

ThereтЂ™s nothing unusual about handing over designs to model makers before a car has been revealed. CitroenтЂ™s C4 Picasso was scooped in this way in 2006, as was MercedesтЂ™ E-Class Estate last summer. And our sources have revealed famous French toy manufacturer Norev is responsible for this model.

The full-sized car will retain the regular TwingoтЂ™s front-wheel-drive layout, but swaps four seats for two and gets a folding hard-top. A range of small-capacity engines will include a 1.2-litre turbo and a naturally aspirated 1.6.

After debuting at the Geneva Motor Show in March, the Twingo CC will hit dealers in June.Т