Renault Clio RenaultSport 200 Cup (2009-) Review

On the road

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The 200 Cup is a little monster. First, it's horrifically fast in a straight line. Second, it's horrifically fast in a bendy line.

You really have to be on your toes to enjoy the car and keep yourself from putting it into a fence. This 2.0-litre normally aspirated 215bhp pocket rocket will take you from 0-60mph in a rather alarming 6.9 seconds and then to a top speed of 141mph. Maximum torque of 158lb-ft makes its grand entrance at 5,400rpm, which is nice.

We tested the car with the optional Recaro seats (£850) and they help to increase the sensation of speed, but stare down at the binnacle and you'll know your progress is unreasonably rapid because the rpm needle's instantly at the red line.

The Cup 200 is a driver-friendly car. There's minimal torquesteer, the Brembo brakes are surefooted and linear, and thanks to the steering tweaks to the rack, turn-in is extremely quick. It's wonderfully agile and well balanced - oversteer and understeer is barely evident - and it'll give you enough grip to keep insurance claims to a minimum. It'll reward you everywhere and is tremendous fun primarily because Renault has kept the weight down. At 1,204kg it boasts a power-to-weight ratio of 166bhp per tonne - the best in its class.

But the great thing about this car is its usability. This is no lairy, hardcore, unattainable hot rod and our brief spell in the car suggests you can potter around town without endangering your molars as well as rag it to death on a racetrack.

If you want the extra kit the RenaultSport 200 offers (see Comfort and Equipment) as well as a purist's driving experience it's worth spending the extra £400 for the optional Cup chassis package. This offers a quicker steering rack (7.5% quicker than the standard chassis), lower ride-height, uprated dampers, stiffer springs and a larger diameter anti-roll bar that helps to keep body lean in check.

Unlike its larger Renault stablemate, the Megane R26.R, this souped-up Clio is highly practical - there's no faffing about with a six-point harness. You simply climb into a very snug sports seat and use a normal seat-belt - like a normal person.