Renault Paper-Weight: The Clio Trophy

While this little red hatchback may not be so obviously appealing as some of the more exotic cars we feature, its understated (though comic-book colour) appearance hides something very special underneath.


As cars get heavier and heavier, driven by society's consciousness of safety, the driving experience in modern cars can become muted, diluted, as a chassis is forced to deal with all the extra momentum created by this weight.

This Clio is an example of all you could ever need in a car. It's diminutive form is just 1080kg (bear in mind a Golf mkV weighs around 1400kg). This is the Renault Clio Trophy which combines small proportions, low weight and fantastic dynamics to create a car of real purpose.

Taking the Clio out for a drive on some of my favourite roads in East Anglia is never less than incredibly good fun: it seems to reveal hidden talents to me every time I turn into the first corner.


Given the perfect bit of road with clear sight lines (and hence the promise of a safe outcome after a tempting corner) the Clio never disappoints in its willingness to grip with alarming tenacity through tight and sweeping bends alike.

The way the front of the car -no matter how fierce the cornering forces- stays nailed on chosen course throughout the corner, with the rear coming into play only if needed, instils a confidence I have yet to feel from any other car I’ve driven.

The car simply flows down any road, the busy ride at low speeds disappearing at higher speeds as the bespoke (and expensive) Sachs dampers come into their own.

The Trophy transmits every detail through the chunky steering wheel, giving you so many options at any moment through its wonderfully balanced and composed chassis.



The brakes also belie their small proportions, working tirelessly and remainig fade-free even after mile of track abuse: another advantageous facet of driving a true ‘lightweight’ car.

While cars these days become more and more ludicrously powerful, an irony considering the ever more crowded roads and draconian speed enforcement in the UK, the Clio’s 180bhp is simply put: perfectly judged, not too much, not too little.

These along with the aforementioned handling talents of the little red ’Jack Russell’ creates a car that is altogether perfectly suited for fast road use.


So if you ever get the chance to drive (or dare I say it own) one of these special little cars, grab the opportunity with both hands and you will be amazed by the depth of its talent in delivering pure driving entertainment.

This car is all anyone could ever need and shows, at least in my humble opinion, where the future of the motor industry needs to lie… simple, light, affordable, and well-engineered little heroes!