RENAULT CLIO RS

In any other company, the Clio RS Lux would be regarded as having more than enough temperature-raising ability to live up to that often overworked term Hot Hatch. It’s a little unfortunate that this 2017 Clio flagship makes its debut alongside the even hotter (by 15 kw) Trophy version. If anything, the Lux looks relatively understated by comparison.

Until you get to drive it, of course. It is, to use another overworked expression, a cracker. Even better, it sounds and feels like it. What shouldn’t be surprising – this is a Renault, after all – is that it actually rides quite superbly. The ride comfort is about as good as it gets in a car that nips off the line to reach 100 km/h in just 6,7 seconds and tops out at 230.

The 162 kw Trophy adds some more purposeful styling and more gadgetry, including Race mode, which features Launch control to ensure non-slip pullaways for, you know, those drag strip encounters. The Trophy also gets an Akrapovič exhaust system, which besides benefiting performance makes all the right noises and transmits them faithfully to the interior.

Transmission on both models is a 6-speed dual- clutch auto that offers multigear changedown. Other notable tech includes smart adaptive LED lighting. Wheels are 17-inch on the Lux, 18-inch on the Trophy. Price: R379 900 (Lux) R419 900 ( Trophy).

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