Order books open for ultra-hot Clio

• 194bhp Clio Renaultsport on sale now
• 0-62mph in 6.9 seconds, top speed 134mph
• Rival hot hatches due later this year

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Order books on one of the most eagerly anticipated hot hatches open today as the new Clio Renaultsport 197 goes on sale.

The £15,995 Clio 197 accelerates from 0-62mph in 6.9 seconds and has a top speed of 134mph. It's powered by a 194bhp 2.0-litre engine.

A rear diffuser helps to provide added downforce, and a wider track should ensure there's plenty of grip through the corners.

Other new hot hatches in the pipeline include the new Peugeot 207 GTI arriving later this year. It uses a 1.6-litre petrol engine developed with BMW and will have at least 170bhp.

A hair-raising VXR version of the new Vauxhall Corsa will appear at the British Motor Show in July, too. It's on sale early next year and is expected to offer around 200bhp for less than £15,000.

Fiat is getting in on the action, too, with an extreme Punto Abarth with no less than 240bhp. Expect to pay around £16,500 for the Fiat, which also arrives in 2007.

Come back to whatcar.com later this week to read our review of the new Clio Renaultsport.