RenaultSport Clio

Renault is looking to establish itself as the king of hot-hatches in Australia with the launch of its new RenaultSport Clio 197.

The second-generation Clio sports hatchback joins the French car maker’s range of Megane hot-hatches that also now includes a new diesel-powered version.

This is the only variant of the third-generation Clio light hatch that will make it to Australia, with Renault Australia saying it’s the only version that has a justifiable business case. It arrives two years after the 197 was launched in Europe.

The Clio 197 is the successor to the Clio 182 that in recent years satisfied hundreds of Australian driving enthusiasts who were chasing affordable performance.

At $36,490, the new Clio 197 is $4000 more expensive than the model it replaces.

That price pushes the Sport Clio dangerously close to the three-door Golf GTI ($38,490) as well as Renault’s own three-door Megane 225 ($37,990), although the 197 is still cheaper than the $39,990 rival Mini Cooper S.

Renault Australia, however, says the new Sport Clio will broaden the car’s appeal.

“The new Sport Clio is bigger, more refined than before,” says the company’s managing director Rudi Koenig. “It’s two cars in one: it’s an around-town cruiser or performance vehicle.

“Where before the Sport Clio buyers was predominantly a single male, now the new car will appeal more to young couples – where he or she wants fun on the weekend but also wants a town car.

“But this is still a sports enthusiast’s car.”

The Clio 197 is significantly bigger than its predecessor (200mm longer) and offers more power – 145kW – from the carried-over-but-tweaked 2.0-litre four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine.

That 145kW is generated at 7250rpm while 215Nm of torque arrives at a high 5550rpm.

Renault claims the Clio 197 will sprint from 0-100km/h in 6.9 seconds, with power sent to the front wheels via a new six-speed manual gearbox.