| Week at the Wheel | Renault Clio GT |

Inside & Out:

Renault has always been good at tastefully distinguishing its hotter output from the more normal stuff, apart from maybe when it uses its stash of 'Team F1' stickers. Changes for the Clio GT include a new front bumper, some slightly smoked headlamps, metal-effect mirror caps, unique alloys, rear window tints and a pair of shiny pipes at the back.

Inside, the seats are heavily bolstered, but at the same time lovely and squishy so they're both supportive and comfy. The trim is silver coloured and the dash top is covered in soft-touch material, which always makes a difference. The yellow centre line at the top of the steering wheel is a nice touch too, if slightly pointless to the majority of drivers.

And a special mention to the weird optional satnav, which works perfectly well but is operated by a remote control. At some point, you're bound to remove it and lose it down the sofa. Tie it with string to a grab handle, we say.

Engine & Transmission:

Two versions of the GT are available, and without having tried the 106bhp 1.5-litre diesel version, we reckon this one makes more sense given the car's remit. That remit is cost-effective junior hot hatch fun. The 128bhp of the 1.6-litre petrol engine - the same block found in the Renaultsport Twingo - feels weak unless it's wrung into orbit. But when you do wring it, everything falls into place.

Peak power arrives at 6,750rpm and the sharp-shifting gearbox has well-chosen ratios so the revs don't drop too far below that when you change up near the limiter. There's only 114lb.ft of torque available, so at low revs it feels disappointingly wheezy. The great thing about the GT, though, is that there's just about enough power to make the most of the prodigiously accomplished chassis, but not enough to send it into 'uninsurable for under 25s' territory. Shame it doesn't make better noises from those twin pipes though.

Ride & Handling:

Like the engine, the chassis initially feels weak and spongy but raises its game the more it's pushed. If you've come to the GT from a Renaultsport Clio, it will feel rubbery and wavy on the motorway. But what transpires is a chassis that soaks up the day-to-day commute like any other Clio, which is good, yet which is also remarkably exploitable when called to be.

The steering isn't bristling with feel, but it's direct and there's enough detail sent through your hands and bum to communicate what the wheels are doing. A tad less body roll through corners would be welcome, but that's the price you pay for the ride comfort. Ultimately, it's one of those rare cars that is at its best when it's being thrashed like Dave Grohl's snare drum, but is a perfectly unassuming little runabout too.

Equipment, Economy & Value for Money:

Let's talk turkey. The GT is in insurance group seven in old money (the 1-20 scale) compared to 15 for the Renaultsport 200. It returns 40.9mpg and it's in VED band G, so it coast £155 per year to tax and just misses out on first-year showroom tax too.

It's much cheaper to buy and run than the Renaultsport version, though nobody would claim it's a direct alternative. What it is a nice alternative to is the Ford Fiesta Zetec S. It has a 10bhp advantage over the Blue Oval car and it costs about £2,000 less to buy. However, the Ford is the slightly better car in every area - subjective quality, ride, space, dynamics and - we think - looks. You pay your money...

Your money pays for a reasonable spec sheet, which includes all the extra sporty kit mentioned above along with supermini luxuries like air conditioning, electric windows and a CD player. And unlike the Renaultsport Clio, the GT can be had with five doors.

Overall:

Renault's Clio in GT spec leaves little to grumble about, and is a well-judged bridge between common and flagship Clios. The Fiesta is better - but possibly not £2,000 better. Anyone looking for raw, small-car driving thrills probably won't have their thirst entirely quenched but what the GT does do is offer exploitable talent without eschewing day-to-day comfort. It's insurance-friendly with it, too.