Renault Clio RS

Renault claims that the Clio Sport has always been held in high regard by the motoring media, and rightly so. While it wasn't (and still isn't) the most powerful "pocket rocket" out there, the range-topping Clio has always offered the right combination of looks, performance and practicality that define a hot hatch - and the recently-facelifted third generation Clio Sport promises to uphold that reputation.

To comply with the new design direction at La Régie , the Clio Sport now boasts a black "mask" that dominates the front end, following the contour of the redesigned headlamps right down to the new front air splitter - an addition Dieppe-based Renault Sport Technologies have supplemented with front wing air extractors and a functional rear diffuser that develops almost 40 kg of down-force at 130 km/h.

F1-inspired aerodynamic aids aside, the Clio Sport still packs a serious styling blow with fat fenders to accommodate the widened front and rear tracks, an exclusive rear spoiler for the 2009 model, gloss treatment for the front mask, mirror housings and rear diffuser, as well as large exhaust tailpipes on either side of the diffuser. 17-inch wheels, now weighing 1 kg lighter apiece, wrapped in 215/45 rubber finish off the exterior.

So the Clio Sport earns maximum points in the beauty contest, but that doesn't mean RS Technologies haven't muscled it up somewhat. The tried and tested 2,0-litre 16-valve four-cylinder has been revised with continuously variable intake valve timing and engine mapping wizardry to now produce 148 kW at 7 100 r/min and 215 N.m of torque at 5 400 r/min, and is mated with a six-speed manual gearbox.

With shortened gear ratios in first, second and third, as well a short gearshift action, the zero to 100 km/h sprint probably isn't far off Renaults claim of 6,9 seconds, as the 2,0-litre spins effortlessly past its 7 000 r/min power peak and bounces off the limiter faster than my conscience has time to think about the arduous treatment my fellow journalists and I put the car through at the Killarney launch.

Bulletproof powertrain... Check. Dynamic handling...Well, Renault is at pains to prove the Clio Sport's chassis has been developed to provide a the best balance between performance and comfort, and while I'm unashamedly biased toward a stiffer set-up, which felt absolutely at home on Killarney, I must admit that when venturing out toward the countryside things become a bit too bumpy.

Yes, the wheelbase has been lengthened a wee bit (10 mm longer), the damper settings have been softened by 15 per cent, and double-effect dampers with additional valving are good improvements, but they still don't turn a rough experience on a bad surface into a much smoother one.

But for pure driver enjoyment, the Clio Sport ranks up there with the best in its segment. The use of an independent steering axis layout (separating the steering axis of the front suspension from the damping) and revised electric power steering allow all of its good traits to stand out spectacularly - plenty of lift-off oversteer and good feedback in general.

The excellent braking characteristics are courtesy of Brembo four-piston callipers and 312 mm ventilated discs up front and 300 mm discs with single-piston TRW callipers on the rear axle. Driver aids include ABS, EBD and Brake Assist, as well as ESP.

Apart from the otherwise standard facia fare, which is finished with dark satin grey trim on this model, the interior is of the expected Renault Sport standard. Supportive seats in dual-tone cloth trim, tachometer highlighted by a yellow background and perforated leather-wrapped steering wheel are among the highlights. Other niceties include cruise control, automatic climate control, cornering lights, tinted windows and a combined rain/light sensor for automatic operation of the headlamps and windscreen wipers.

For the R249 900 asking price, expect a three-year/45 000 km service plan as standard, backed by Renault's three-year/100 000 km warranty, as well as a free advanced driving course conducted by the Renault Driver Academy.