Based in Dieppe, France, Renaultsport has become legendary for creating front-wheel drive hot hatches, which might look like shopping cars to the uninitiated, but can show up many a sports car along a twisty road.

It hasn’t all been plain sailing though; the Clio 200 came in for some criticism for switching over to a Formula 1-inspired automatic gearbox and rather anodyne sounding turbo engine. The Clio 220 Trophy is the answer to these critics, with more power, a greater track focus and sharper responses.

Performance

While the turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine found in the latest Renaultsport Clio might not be quite as charismatic as the old 2.0-litre lump, you can’t argue with the numbers. With 217bhp it now gallops to 62mph in 6.6 seconds, a tenth faster than the non-Trophy model. Not only that, but its peak torque arrives at a diesel-like 1,750rpm, so there’s near-instant grunt pulling out of tight corners.

Like the regular hot Clio, the Trophy is still fitted with a six-speed flappy-paddle gearbox, although the shifts and the shift action of the paddles themselves has been sharpened up. It can still feel a bit odd driving a small hot hatch with an automatic gearbox, but select ‘Race’ mode and the experience does make more sense, with shifts which are faster and more exciting than before.

Ride and Handling

The Trophy needs serious commitment to come alive

The Trophy is a pretty serious bit of kit, with rear suspension 40 per cent stiffer than the Clio 200, a ten per cent faster steering rack and sticky Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres. This feels like a car which would excel on track, but in a way, Renault’s focus on sheer grip and lap times has blunted the fun of the Trophy somewhat. Where a Fiesta ST or Peugeot 208 GTI by Peugeot Sport will feel slightly ragged and get the pulse racing at legal speeds, the Trophy needs serious commitment to come alive. Still, if you want to absorb the sheer traction and cornering speed possible in a small hatch, the Clio is undoubtedly impressive.

Interior and Equipment

The automatic gearbox can now shift up to 50 per cent faster, while the shifters themselves have a 30 per cent shorter travel for an improved feel.

The 220 Trophy is available with exclusive Frost White paintwork, with a striking matt effect, which also gets a gloss black roof and rear spoiler, as well as Glacier White, Deep Black, Flame Red and Liquid Yellow. There are 18-inch ‘Radical’ alloy wheels and inside there’s a Trophy-badged steering wheel and carbon-look trim. Heated, leather sports bucket seats with integrated headrests are a £1,600 option, and while that’s a lot of money, they certainly help boost the motorsport vibe and feel in the cabin. The same can be said for the Renaulsport Monitor V2, which uses the touch-screen to show Nissan GT-R levels of information from turbo boost to oil temps and lap times. But, for all its performance gizmos, this is still a Clio and still has a pretty functional and practical interior. If you’re a fan of coffee, there’s a lack of decent cup holders, but apart from that there’s plenty of space and storage. Every Clio is also a five-door – albeit with discreet rear door handles – so getting into the back is no fuss.

Cost

Despite its focus on speed, the 220 Trophy can return a claimed 47.9mpg

Despite its focus on speed, the 220 Trophy can return a claimed 47.9mpg and only emits 135g/km of CO2, bettering the 46.3mpg of the Fiesta ST200. You will need a strong moral compass to achieve it, however, with our trip computer showing a figure in the high 30s after a week of driving. You’ll need to pay a fair chunk of change to get hold of a Trophy; it’s more expensive than a regular Fiesta ST or 208 GTI, but compare it with the ST200 or 208 GTI by Peugeot Sport and the Trophy is competitively priced at around £22k.

Our Verdict

If you want a small hot hatchback which sticks to the road like glue and looks great, but can revert to being an easy and economical urban runabout in auto mode, the Trophy is a lot of car for the money. Its turbocharged engine and paddle-shift gearbox aren’t as visceral as the highly-strung 2.0-litre and manual ‘box found in the old Clio 200 though, so if you’re after low speed thrills, the Trophy could actually be too well tied down.