I’ve been fortunate enough to spend a lot of time in fast Clios over the past few years, having run a couple as long-term test cars. And I make no secret of the fact that I love everything about them, from the storming yet accessible performance (0-62mph takes just 6.9sec) and perfectly honed suspension to the snazzy Recaro seats and subtly aggressive bodywork.
With Renault set to unveil an all-new Clio at September’s Paris motor show, and a hot hatch version sure to follow, it’s no surprise to see the French car-maker wheeling out a special edition of the outgoing model to boost sales. With a name that harks back to the 5 GT Turbo Raider of the early Nineties, the Clio 200 Raider is limited to just 50 editions, each of which features 18in wheels, a Cup chassis (lower, stiffer suspension and faster steering), matt paint in grey or red (which means you can’t jet wash it), a gloss black roof and leather Recaro seats.
It remains a really neat package, with instant throttle response, a snappy six-speed gearbox and tremendous brakes, and makes a fine trackday car, should that kind of thing float your boat, while also being able to accommodate the weekly shopping trip. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that, on the right road, it’s one of the most fun new cars out there.
However, when you’re not on the right road, you are reminded that the Cup version of the Clio has always been a firm car, and while the bigger wheels and low-profile tyres add a bit more weight to the steering, they do nothing to ease this. Those with back problems would be advised to look elsewhere.
Then there’s the price: £21,820 is an awful lot of money to pay for a supermini, albeit one that comes with extras such as Bluetooth and satnav as standard. Rarity should help residual values to some extent, but this is a car that you buy with your heart rather than your head.
Personally, I think that’s rather a good thing, and clearly there are 50 other people out there who agree, because Renault reports that all Clio Raiders have already been sold. I bet it wishes it had charged more.
Renaultsport Clio 200 Raider
Price: £21,820
Telegraph rating: Four out of five stars
