Review of the new Renault Clio S

Anyone with a penchant for cars hot and hatchbacked can't have failed to notice the succession of vehicles that have emerged from the Renault stable over the last few years. The French manufacturer has established itself as a leader in the affordable performance field with its collection of poised and powerful shopping rockets. Not everyone has the budget to buy and run a 200bhp Clio Renaultsport, however, and Renault has fashioned the Clio S model to deliver some of that car's sporty looks without the expense.

Generating column inches and directing attention towards the more mainstream models in a range is a key part of the hot hatchback's role. The market for small family cars that can keep pace with a Porsche on the right road is always going to be limited, not least because of the expense involved, but there's a far larger pool of buyers who would quite like a piece of the action in a less extreme and pricey package. So goes the thinking behind the Renault Clio S. While the Clio Renaultsport takes the plaudits, the S offers some of its style and aggression without the blistering pace and sobering costs.

The engines available in the Clio S speak volumes about its intent. They're the Clio's smallest, most economical and most affordable units. The entry-level option is rather uninspiring with 74bhp and a 1.2-litre capacity. It's not going to let anybody down but the kind of customer attracted by the racy image of the Clio S might want something extra under the bonnet. The 0-60mph increment takes 13.4s and there's a top speed of over 100mph. Much better, but priced accordingly, is the 1.2-litre TCE engine which generates 99bhp with the aid of a turbocharger. This feels altogether sprightlier in the Clio and thrives on a more vigorous driving style. With this unit, 0-60mph takes 11s and 114mph is attainable.

The final option is Renault's 1.5-litre dCi diesel stalwart, this time in 85bhp form. It's a solid engine with a good hit of torque from low revs but little to excite in the upper echelons of the rev range. It feels quicker than its 12.7s 0-60mph time and 108mph top speed suggest.

"Mixing hot hatch looks with standard Clio mechanicals, the S should find a ready market."

Today's Clio is a big car, even by modern supermini standards. It weighs in at well over a tonne and progress can be sluggish with the normally-aspirated 1.2-litre powerplant doing the legwork. The refinement in the cabin is very impressive with minimal wind and road noise. As with all Clio IIIs, there's tenacious grip and taut body control that invites swift cornering. The ride quality also wouldn't seem out of place in a car a class higher.

The engines and suspension of the Clio S might be straight from the standard models in the Clio range but the decor has more in common with the elite Renaultsport hot hatch models. The 16" Polar alloy wheels are so called because they're coloured brilliant white just like the Polar regions. There's also a white insert on the front bumper and a white rear spoiler. Buyers who really want their Clio S to stand out can order optional white racing stripes for the sides and roof of the car which incorporate the 'S' from the car's name. Inside, there are more S logos embossed into the upholstery along with a white centre console, instruments and dashboard inserts. All in all, the Clio S is certain to attract attention.

The Clio's generous size helps it serve up plenty of passenger space and the quality of the cabin environment also impresses. There's a generously proportioned boot of 288 litres that will also come in handy. Beneath the skin, Renault's focus has been on increasing refinement on the Clio and today's model features upgraded sound-deadening measures to combat engine, transmission and wind noise. Beneath its extrovert colour scheme, the Clio S is a very practical and user-friendly small car.

The pricing for the Clio S should play its part in attracting customers but the extra features on the car are almost exclusively cosmetic so it will be of interest primarily to those who want hot hatchback looks on a budget. The 1.2-litre TCe engine is well worth paying a premium for as it gives the Clio S a little zip to back-up its racy visuals. There are four colour options for buyers to choose from, Glacier White, Pearl Black, Capsicum Red and Extreme Blue.

All Clio models get power steering, a trip computer, body-coloured bumpers and side mouldings, remote central locking and a height adjustable steering wheel. The car is also delivered as standard with Generation 8 Bosch ABS, plus electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) and emergency brake assist (EBA).

It's the less powerful engines in the Clio range that are fitted to the S model and while that might truncate the fun slightly, it means major benefits at the pumps. The 1.2-litre normally aspirated engine returns 48mpg with 139g/km emissions but more impressive is the feisty 1.2 TCE turbo unit that gets nearly 49mpg despite its superior performance. None of the petrols can hold a candle to the 1.5 dCi diesel with regards to running costs though. It can return over 64mpg on the combined cycle with 115g/km emissions putting it amongst the greenest superminis around.

Insurance is group 3 for the entry level car and group 4 for the others. A genuine 198bhp Clio Renaultsport, by contrast, is group 15.

There will be plenty of small car buyers out there who, in an ideal world, would like to own a Clio Renaultsport. That ideal world, however, would be one where they could afford the £17,000 asking price, the group 15 insurance and the 34mpg fuel economy while also living with the super-firm suspension. The Renaultsport is a fantastic hot hatchback but there are more sensible options of which the Clio S is one. Mixing hot hatch looks with standard Clio mechanicals, the S should find a ready market and help Renault profit further from the success of its Renaultsport performance arm.

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