So, what are the things we love most about the outgoing Renaultsport Clio? That wedgy three-door body - wider than the standard Clio to the extent it doesn't fit down the standard production line, and has to be built in the old-school Alpine factory in Dieppe? That classic, high-revving, naturally aspirated power delivery and soundtrack - rare in this all-turbo age? The crisp, short-throw manual gearbox that rewards those willing to put the effort in and really drive the Clio like they stole it?
Or is it just the pervading sense that there's nothing false, contrived or out to flatter your ego here? The Clio 200 is raw and pure: what you get out of it is what you put in. Been there, done that. The hooning bit, not the TWOCking, we mean.
And now we have a new one. It's five-door or nothing. Turbocharged. Dual-clutch auto only. And - uh-oh - it simulates an exciting engine note through its speakers.
Plus it's launching at the same show as the 208 GTI, Peugeot's first concerted attempt to live up to the considerable reputation of its defining hot hatch, the 205 GTI.
Some work for the PR department, then. We'll be talking exclusively with Renaultsport to get the inside line on exactly how the new Clio 200 can hope to live up to, and exceed, the considerable talents of the outgoing car. Watch this space.
