But as trends change the Clio has followed, moving from big engines to sophisticated turbochargers to increase power as well as economy. Those of you with experience of older Renaults may shudder when the word ‘sophisticated’ is used in connection with this marque but recent reports suggest those dark days are well and truly in the past.
The peppy 1.6-litre turbo, 180bhp engine is as eager and energetic as an excited Jack Russell puppy whilst the handling has been nicely balanced to give a modicum of comfort around town whilst giving confidence and entertainment when the going gets twisty. Out of the three cars tested, the Fiesta has the best interior with the intuitive instrument layout and figure-hugging Recarro seats.
RENAULTSPORT CLIO 200 If there was a lifetime achievement award for the hot hatch, I would award it to Renault. They have never taken their eye off the ball. When the 5 GT Turbo died, in stepped the Clio Williams, which was succeeded with the Renaultsport editions which have been suffixed with increasingly large numbers denoting their power output. The nutcase mid-engined rear wheel drive 3.0-litre V6 edition was a particular highlight.
This latest incarnation is, in my opinion, the best looking of the three cars here. The beefy bodykit, side sills, discreet rear spoiler and twin exhausts under the rear diffuser all add to the aggressive and purposeful appearance. This is backed up by a grunty engine with the same 197bhp output as the 208 GTi. What lets the driving experience down is the lack of a manual gearbox option; the dual-clutch automatic box is perfectly OK but as a keen driver I always like to swap cogs myself rather than when the computer wants to. Whilst this generation of cars have been bloated with side impact bars and other safety devices aimed at achieving the coveted top-rating from Euro NCAP, the engines have kept pace with clever suspension tricks ensuring that they are as much fun as their illustrious ancestors… although at least now there is a good chance some electronic wizardry will kick in before you run out of talent and disappear through a hedge backwards!
Mark D’Apice Motoring Expert
FIESTA ST Back in the hot hatch heyday, Ford and Vauxhall dominated the British car market and people generally favoured one or the other. Personally, I have always favoured Dagenham over Luton so it was always an XR2 I wanted when I grew up. I did scratch the itch a few years ago but unfortunately the tin worm had worked its way through many vital suspension components and the car ended up giving its life so that another could live. When the joyriders and insurance companies abruptly ended the hot hatch era, Ford really went back into its shell. The RS1800 was the final fanfare before a baron era of run-of-the-mill superminis’ took hold. Thankfully, Ford is back in the game and even though the latest ST isn’t the RS version we all wanted, it’s a fantastic way to get back to the spirit of its successors. www.rochdalestyle.com
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