Vauxhall will be targeting younger women with its new Agila when it goes on sale in May.

Barry Scott, Vauxhall’s small car product manager, said the Agila competes directly not only with Fiat Panda, Renault Modus and Honda Jazz but also three-door cars like the Volkswagen Fox and Renault Twingo.

Scott said: "We’ve sold 35,000 Agilas in the UK and 440,000 in Europe. We expect the new car to do even better as people downsize."

The new Agila is offered in three trim levels and with three engine choices – 1.0 and 1.2 litre petrol and 1.3 diesel – and the option of automatic transmission on the 1.2.

Prices range from £7,595 to £11,195.