British International Motor Show - Renault

Hot or not?
Hot hatch versions of the Clio have always been sought after, from the days of the Williams Clio to the more recent Clio 182 Cup. Fans of these cars can see the future of performance Renaults in the shape of the new Clio Renaultsport.

We've already driven this car, and, like the hatchback upon which it's based, it's a lot more grown up than the Clios that have gone before it. The rev-happy 2.0-litre gives 194bhp and offers blistering performance, although you have to give it plenty of revs for best results.

Handling feels tight and controlled, and the ride feels quite civilised for a hot hatch, too. The only thing that really counts against the Renaultsport is that its steering could offer more feedback.

Any other business?
Aside from the UK debut of the performance Clio, Renault has some other interesting things on show.

The Altica concept car will give some clues as to what the new Laguna may look like. The Egeus concept will never see the production line, but you may well see elements of its styling encapsulated in a new, large 4x4 that Renault plans to release in late 2008.

In the meantime, Renault will bring a smaller 4x4 to the market. It'll be based on the platform of the next Nissan X-Trail, but Renault will be able to use it before Nissan. Expect this car at the end of 2007.

There's also a first chance to see the mildly face-lifted Renault Scenic MPV, which will hit showrooms in October. The facelift reflects the visual tweaks made to the Megane recently, and changes to the engine line-up are also identical, with the introduction of a new flagship 2.0-litre diesel engine.