Still, with its Cup chassis, the latest model must be in the running with the classic Williams and original 172 for the crown of ultimate Clio ... you write off the Renault, try it on the open ...

Renault has managed ... while the Cup is engineered for uncompromised driving pleasure. A lower ride height, 15 per cent stiffer dampers than the current Clio 197 and a quicker steering rack ...

That’s one way to describe my reaction to getting a Clio Cup for the next nine months ... As well the trip up to Skye and back, the Renault has been my partner for two weekends in the North ...

To Cup or not to Cup? Renaultsport offers its Clio with or without the hardcore chassis option fitted to our long-termer, so I booked in a standard Clio 200 for a 1000-mile comparison.