Clio 200 Cup

How do you improve something that’s already so good? The Clio 197 was one of our favourite hot hatches when it arrived in 2006, but thanks to a light nip and tuck, the Clio 200 moved the game on even further.

The thrilling high-revving 2.0-litre engine has been reworked to produce an extra 3bhp. There’s also more torque delivered 150rpm lower down and shorter ratios for the first three gears, helping to make the car feel more responsive. A wonderfully raspy exhaust note on full throttle suits the model’s racy nature.

A lower ride height, 15 per cent stiffer dampers and a quicker steering rack in the more focused Cup version sharpen up the handling, too. The chunky wheel weights up beautifully as you increase your speed, and the strong brakes stand up well to hard use on the track.

The bottom line is that this car is massively fast in any situation. Whether on the road or circuit, it covers ground at a serious pace. And the best part is you don’t need to be a fully fledged racing driver to get the most from it.

Keep your foot planted in the bends and the front wheels will eventually give way to understeer. To tighten your line, simply lift off the throttle and the nose will tuck in. It really is that simple.

And the icing on the cake is that the Clio 200 is a pretty good everyday supermini. The ride is firm, but there’s a decent boot and room for your friends in the back, while fuel returns of nearly 35mpg are easily achievable.