► Clio RS 200 now within reach
► Examples as low as £6150
► It sits in true hot-hatch royalty
> The switch to turbo and paddle-shift ’box in the current Clio RS has left us lukewarm, which is why we still hanker after the outgoing RS 200. With its barrel-chested nat-asp 2.0-litre lump dishing up 197bhp and 159lb ft working hand-in-glove with a talented chassis, transparent steering and mighty brakes, it is true hot-hatch royalty.
> The RS 200 is the one to have over the erstwhile 197. Sure, the power increase is negligible, but you get a chunk of more readily available torque and shorter ratios in first, second and third. It leaps off the line like a scalded cat and screams to the redline.
> The tricky decision was between the standard car with niceties such as air-con, reach-adjustable steering column and squidgy plastics, or the stripped-out Cup model with its more focused chassis set-up and low-rent cabin. We’d say Cup every time.
> If you’re a true Renaultsport obsessive with deep pockets, then the limited edition Raid should scratch your hot-hatch itch. Matt paintwork, leather and bigger 18-inch Bridgestone-shod alloys that generate even greater levels of face-distorting cornering grip were standard, enhancing an already tasty package.
One we found
2009 Clio Renaultsport 200, 54,000 miles, white, black alloys, £6150
Check out more used car bargains in CAR’s Cars For Sale section.