IN an ideal world most people would have the most expensive or the fastest version of whatever car they have opted for.
But as we don’t live in an ideal world financial constraints and insurance limitations obviously colour what we can buy.
The newest model in the Renault Clio range - the Clio GT - goes some way to addressing these problems by providing a bridge between the more affordable and lower insurance rated mainstream range and the real hot hatches of the Clio Renaultsport 200 line up.
The GT is available with either a 1.5-litre diesel engine or a 1.6-litre petrol, both of which have an overtly sporting image thanks to side skirts, an extended front spoiler, twin tailpipe exhaust, 16 inch alloy wheels and a gloss black grille.
And it’s not just the exterior that looks the part. Inside there are body hugging sports front seats, drilled aluminium pedals, white faced dials and a leather covered sports steering wheel.
The diesel version I tried was group 5 insurance as compared to group 15 for Renaultsport models, so you get the gain without the pain.
Alright the performance of the diesel GT isn’t in the same league as the Clio 200 or 200 Cup but it is good and certainly meets the needs of a lot of drivers and you do get the added bonus of car which averages more than 60 miles per gallon.
And when it comes to the car’s handling the GT lives up to its name thanks to its sports tuned suspension which sets it apart from the mainstream range.
The front springs are stiffer and the front and rear dampers have been uprated to improve the control of body movement and give better cornering while boosting the car’s stability.
Renaultsport engineers worked on the set up of the car to give superb handling combined with a comfortable ride for everyday use.
On tight corners the car feels taut and goes exactly where you point it with no hint of deviation.The 1.5-litre diesel engine is lively with good low down torque giving you plenty of flexibility in the gears and eliminating the need for excessive gear changes. It’s relatively noisy when starting from cold but once warm it’s not something you even notice.
Like a lot of Renaults my test car came with Renault’s hands free keycard - an optional extra at £306 - to save the hassle of looking for your keys to lock or unlock the car.
It also featured a built-in Tom Tom - complete with a handy little remote control unit - for £459.
The Clio has always been a firm favourite in the UK. The early days of the Nicole and papa adverts showed the French car company’s flair for imaginative marketing and clearly that is alive and kicking with the creation of the new GT line up.
The diesel is not the cheapest small car around but it does have big car feel and manners and is a delight to drive.
FAST FACTS
Renault Clio GT dCi 106
Price: £15,255
Mechanical: 106bhp, 1,461cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 6-speed manual gearbox
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