Review of the new Renault Clio Renaultsport 200

Good reputations aren't easy things to build but I think we can safely take a step back and say that Renault has managed the feat with its Renaultsport arm. Successive hot versions of Megane, Clio and Twingo hatchbacks have wormed their way into the affections of the buying public with their pure handling and fiery pace. Now Renaultsport is held up as a brand that hot hatchback fans can trust, the trick will be keeping it there and that's where the Clio Renaultsport 200 comes in.

Manufacturers entering the market for sporty hatchbacks can quickly get left behind merely by standing still. The rapid pace of development in the wider automotive industry is highlighted here because these cars are judged by easily quantifiable means. Power, torque, acceleration, weight, speed; hot hatchback aficionados will typically interogate the spec sheets before reaching a buying decision and if the numbers don't add up, cars might go unsold. Renault has successfully maintained interest in its Renaultsport products by continually moving the game forward with more focused and capable versions. The original Clio Renaultsport was the 172, then we had the 182, that was followed by the 197 and now it's the Clio Renaultsport 200 that's setting pulses racing.

More power is rarely a bad place for a hot hatchback to start. With the Clio Renaultsport 200, the increase is only 3bhp over the Clio Renaultsport 197 but it's a clear indicator for the market that progress has been made, even if more significant changes lie elsewhere. The 2.0-litre 16-valve petrol engine does without the assistance of a turbocharger, which is becoming more unusual amongst this fast Clio's rivals. It means that the car produces its best higher in the rev range. Maximum torque of 215Nm is available at 5,400rpm (100rpm lower than the Renaultsport 197 version) and peak power is generated at a heady 7,100rpm. The 0-60mph sprint is covered in 6.9s, the same as a Golf GTI, and the top speed is 141mph.

"Renault has shown just how much can be achieved with its Renaultsport brand"

Renault's engineers have shortened the Clio Renaultsport's first three gear ratios for a punchier feel at low revs and as with the old Clio 197, customers have a choice of chassis options at their disposal. The standard set-up features wider tracks than a conventional Clio, up by 48mm at the front and 50mm at the rear. It also has a 10mm longer wheelbase and Renault's ingenious front suspension with its independent steering axis designed to reduce torque steer, the bane of powerful front wheel-drive cars. Thicker anti-roll bars and stiffer suspension are the other key modifications but those wishing to go further can choose the Cup chassis option. Here the Clio gets hardcore with a lower ride height, even stiffer suspension and faster steering. Cup models are also 36kg lighter, enhancing the car's power to weight ratio.

Hot hatchbacks need a soupcon of aggression in their styling to let the world know what they're all about and the Renaultsport 200 has a bigger snarl on than most. It inherits the basic look for the Clio supermini following its 2009 facelift but big intakes, lower bumpers and side sills underline the fact that this isn't your everyday shopping hatch. The front end is defined by the dramatically contoured bumper that looks as though someone has taken a wedge out of it with a giant axe. At the back, a sharply contoured splitter frames the twin exhaust pipes.

Renault claims to have brought its experience in Formula 1 to bear on the aerodynamic side and the curves of the front wing are vaguely reminiscent of something you might see in the paddock on Grand Prix day. The car's CdA drag coefficient has been cut to a slippery 0.75.

The interior is adorned with the usual racy tweaks found in hot hatch models. There are aluminium pedal covers, a leather steering wheel with a yellow stitched centre-point marker and a yellow rev counter with a gearshift indicator to stop you running into the rev limiter. The seats are always a key consideration in cars like this and the standard items look OK with large side bolsters for lateral support but the optional Recaro items will be worth specifying in many customers' books.

The Renaultsport derivative is available exclusively in the Clio's three-door bodystyle and comes with a specification that reflects its positioning at the top end of the Clio line-up. All models get 17" alloy wheels and a powerful Brembo braking system. There's also keyless entry and start, cruise control with a speed limiter, climate control, a sunroof, automatic headlamps and automatic wipers. The more hard-core Cup models are less well specified and the shedding of equipment is the primary reason for their reduction in weight.

The hot hatch market can loosely be split between the supermini-based models like the Clio Renaultsport 200 and cars based on larger family hatchbacks. The Clio's positioning has been somewhat unusual because its hefty power output means it out-performs most of the supermini derived models and is more closely aligned to the larger rivals like the Honda Civic Type-R and Volkswagen's Golf GTI. While it might lack the space and sophistication of these alternatives, the Clio's comparatively low pricing, especially in Cup form, makes it a very attractive option for the keen driver.

Power and performance may be up in the Clio Renaultsport 200 but fuel consumption and emissions are still improved. Don't expect anything too spectacular at the pumps, however, especially if you're regularly revving the engine hard to access the best of its performance. In this day and age, emissions of 198g/km and fuel economy of 34.5mpg aren't great in a fast supermini, no matter how quick it is. The far larger and heavier Golf GTI manages 170g/km and over 38mpg.

Renault has shown just how much can be achieved with its Renaultsport brand over recent years. The marque has risen from performance car mediocrity to offer a whole series of the most respected and sought-after hot hatchbacks around. The Clio Renaultsport 200 continues that tradition with the same thorough approach to extracting optimum handling and performance that has yielded success for Renaultsport products past.

The Clio Renaultsport 200 certainly looks the part and it has the credentials to deliver the goods on the road too. The high revving normally-aspirated engine does fall down when it comes to economy and emissions but hot hatch fans will be inclined to shoulder those costs in exchange for this Clio's rare talents.

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