Skip advert
Advertisement

Clio V6 255

Year: 2003 Engine: 3.0-litre V6, 255bhp 0-60mph: 5.8 seconds Price: £26,995 (new)

A long, sweeping left hander, the tarmac is wet and the speedo is touching 100mph. The car feels stable and with plenty of grip to spare, we squeeze the throttle. Suddenly the car has swapped ends and we’re spinning off the track at a tangent, finishing 100 metres away unscathed in the middle of a field. A lucky escape.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The Clio V6 comes with a fearsome reputation, but it’s not until you’ve pushed beyond the limit that you know why. Creating a mid-engined hatchback has to be one of the looniest ideas ever thought of, but that’s what makes this car so special. Driveit at 80 per cent, and the wide stance and weight of the engine give it sure-footed poise. But push too hard, and the physics take over – thanks to the short wheelbase and all that weight over the rear axle.

In the flesh, the styling is jaw-dropping. With its extra-wide bodywork and gaping air intakes, it turns heads like a machine costing 10 times the price.

Twist the key, and the cabin is filled with a V6 rumble. Plant your foot, and at low revs there’s a slow swell of acceleration. Pass 5,000rpm, though, and the engine comes on song, firing you into the distance at a speed you never thought possible in a supermini.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £18,725Avg. savings £4,199 off RRP*Used from £15,337
Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £35,385Avg. savings £2,911 off RRP*Used from £16,700
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £26,995Avg. savings £8,094 off RRP*Used from £13,199
Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £38,140Avg. savings £3,019 off RRP*Used from £13,895
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price
BMW X7 - front

Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price

German firm’s flagship SUV could never be called cheap but it is exceptional value at £735 a month – making it our Deal of the Day for Sunday 27 April
News
27 Apr 2025
New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645
Kia PV5 Cargo on display at Commercial Vehicle Show - front 3/4

New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645

All-new entry into the van market promises competitive pricing and comes with a range of up to 247 miles
News
30 Apr 2025