Renault Clio
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Just imagine - high levels of performance, a top speed that will make you shudder, excellent handling, top of the range safety features and excellent comfort.
All that in a package that is small, and a bit roguish, yet cute, and still gives a dynamite presence. The Renault Clio 2.0 Sport is all of this and much more...
Although Renault will introduce the radical-looking new Megane in South Africa next year, the current Clio will still be around for the next two years or so.
Not that it needs an update. Last year the Clio received a fresh look to bring it into with Renault's latest design trend. The new front design is the most prominent change, and has styling cues of the Renault Vel Satis and Avantime.
The big Xenon double optic headlights are central in the design and are complimented with a big Renault badge on the grill.
Sports styling
This two-door Clio Sport also has sports body styling. There is a deep frontal air damp housing recessed fog lamps, heavy moulded bumpers and wider front wings.
When you open the front doors of the Clio there are also aluminium tread strips with the Renault Sport logo.
Not everyone likes the new-look Clio, but I thought it was something fresh and different, and confirms the individuality of the car. It also gives the Clio more of a presence and aggressiveness.
The interior is also in line with the rest of the car's design. On the dashboard there are aluminium inserts and nice touches are the stainless steel racing pedals.
The driver also has the pleasure of a leather-covered steering wheel with a stylish chrome Renault badge in the centre. Furthermore the quality of all materials used is excellent and class leading.
Well equipped
Of course the Clio Sport is well equipped, and there are climate control, electric windows, front-loader CD-player with satellite controls behind the steering wheel, and sensors for the automatic activation of the headlights and wipers - just to name a few.
The good looks and class-leading comfort features will make any driver proud, and the design emphasises the sporty character of the car.
Yet the design is only the start of everything that is good about this small sports car. And yes, I think the Clio Sports deserves this recognition - especially if you look under the skin and at its performance.
Open the bonnet and you will find a high performance multipoint electronic 1 998 cm3 fuel injection engine that develops a mighty 124 kW at 6 350 r/min.
By comparison, this is only 1kW less than that of a BMW 320i.
The Renault's motor develops an impressive 200 Nm of torque at 5 400 r/min, and launches the car to a top speed of 208km/h with the 0-100 km/h sprint in just in 8.45 seconds.
Handling
This refined power source responds very well to driver input, and the five-speed manual gearbox is smooth and quick.
Road handling is excellent and this is thanks to a good suspension setup, electronic technology - traction and stability control - and the 195/50 R15 tyres on the standard alloy wheels.
When you drive the Clio and put your foot down it just goes! The revs rise very quickly, and a light will start flickering on the revcounter when you are caught in the spell of the Clio's uptake to remind you to change gears.
Safety features for the Clio are seemingly endless, and include ABS, EBA, four airbags, and seat belts with pretensioners.
If there's a downside it's pricing, artificially high because renault was caught with its pants down when the Rand hit rock bottom last year.
It is expensive,but you do get a lot of car for the money.
And it's dynamite!
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