If you’re in the market for a new hot hatch then you should be looking closely at Renault dealers from May 15th as they’ll have three new models on sale – the Renault Clio GT, Renaultsport Clio 200 and Clio 200 Cup.
The Clio GT is the cheapest of the three at £13,495, but with just 126bhp it’s more of a warm hatch. The real entertainment is to be had behind the wheel of the new Renaultsport Clio 200. The standard 200 will cost £16,570 but receives more kit and 15% softer springs than the Clio 197, making it a more civilised car for everyday use. On the other hand, you could take the more extreme option and choose the Clio 200 Cup which comes with less kit and uses springs that are 15% stiffer than the old 197 but is actually cheaper at £15,570.
Both Clio 200s use the same engine, a tweaked version of the 2.0-litre found in the Clio 197 that now offers 200bhp. The track has been increased by 48mm at the front and 50mm at the rear, requiring wider front and rear bumpers and resulting in a much-improved stance. The changes promise to improve the driving experience over the outgoing model, which was already considered one of the best handling hot hatches on sale.
