I love my fast cars just like everyone else, but over the years I’ve come to realise that it’s not the amount of power you have under the bonnet, but it’s the smile that a car puts on your face and how it makes you feel going around corners. These days, most cars can accelerate hard without requiring much effort, put the transmission in D and stomp on the throttle. In no time at all, you’re doing silly speeds and worrying about your licence. Surely there’s a better option?
So if you love driving, what you need is actually a car with less power. You will actually get to use the full extent of the throttle and rev range more frequently and it teaches you to be a better driver by anticipating the road ahead and preserving momentum by picking the best cornering line. You also get that smug satisfaction that you’re able to push the limits of the car instead of cruising along, wondering what your car can actually do, but will never be able to explore on the road. So what better car to do all that than in a lightweight hatch?
Before the Mini took the premium hatch market by storm, Renault gave us the Clio Sport. The 2.0l engine pushes out a frantic 172bhp and combined with its light weight result in a very healthy 160bhp/tonne. In comparison, the original Porsche Boxster could only manage 142bhp/tonne! All these translate to huge fun! The French may not be good at luxury cars, but they sure know how to do sporty hatches. Driving fast around windy roads, the Clio Sport feels very eager. In comparison to modern hatches, you wouldn’t call the Clio refined, but you forgive it mostly because you’re doing something far more important, driving.
The interior of the Clio is not particularly attractive, but it’s not ugly either. The sports seats are excellent at holding you in place but the driving position may not suit everyone. Also, if you ever get too carried away and run out of talent, the Clio has scored 5 stars in the NCAP safety tests. At $10,500 for this 2002 example, only thing left to do now is to get one and finding that perfect road.
Pros: Grip, cheap and fun
Cons: Driving position may not suit everyone
Via Carsales
