Renault has always made proper hot hatches. Claiming a heritage that goes right back to the seminal 5 Gordini of 1976, what Renault doesn't know about making hatchbacks fast, fun and affordable isn't worth knowing. And it is motorsport input - above all else - that's driven the success of Renault's mini marvels, especially the Renault 5 Gordini's spiritual successors - the Renaultsport Clios.
Fast, fun and cheap for more than 20 years
As hot Clios have evolved over four generations, their characters have inevitably been different. But that visceral motorsport influence has never diminished. Renault's
Clio Cup
one-make racing series have been held in various countries since 2004, with the Renault UK Clio Cup influential in developing the careers of racing drivers Andy Priaulx and Jason Plato among others. And throughout the Clio's long lifetime Renault has always stayed true to its tenet of providing accessible performance for all, through its roadgoing RS Clios.
However, over the last 39 years not every carrier of Renault's hot hatch baton has received quite the same level of acclaim. Whilst some RS Clios have already become automotive legends, others have found it somewhat harder to achieve cult status. But nearly all come with laughably low price tags.
So which incarnations of Renault's hot Clios will go on to become collectors' items in the future, and which are more likely to rust slowly away? And of most interest to PHers - which RS Clios make the best buys right now?
Many thanks to www.cliosport.net, Paul Murray at RS Tuning Limited, Rob Donaldson at Glass's and David at K-Tec Racing for their help with this feature. New Clio 200 pic by Roo Fowler.
