Renault has produced some great hot hatchbacks over the years, from the original 5 GT Turbo, through the Williams Clio and Clio V6. This was one of the first mainstream models from the French brand to make waves in South Africa.
The Clio Sport provided 124 kW of power from a 2,0 litre multi-valve motor that revved to well over 7 000 r/min; but the power really came on strong from 4 000. When tested it we managed a best time of 7,78 seconds to 100 km/h and a top speed of 208 km/h.
Our opening comment on that early road test “Blows away the cobwebs, as well as most other things on wheels”, which sums up the giant-killing abilities of the Clio Sport to a tee.