IF you calculate value for money by dividing horsepower into the price of a car, the Clio Renaultsport 172 Cup is a bargain. One hundred and seventy two horsepower for £12,995 is amazing performance per pound. The three-door special edition hatchback, with a 2.0-litre, 16-valve engine squeezed under the bonnet, is one of the hottest around, covering nought to 60mph in seven seconds, with a top speed double the national speed limit.

That sort of power requires a serious chassis to cope and the firmer, lower, lighter Clio has been strengthened, fortified and stiffened all over, with new front suspension settings and new damper rates, but still is only just about able to cope.

On the right road, or preferably a racetrack, that's dry, smooth and with plenty of bends, it's great fun.

On a wet, weary winter's evening, when your concentration is less sharp than it might be, it has the potential to be a handful.

But anyone buying a souped-up supermini knows what they are buying into Renault acknowledged that by leaving the 172 Cup with hydraulic power steering.

It might require more effort than the electric power steering which is fitted to the rest of the range, but it delivers plenty of feel and challenges you to drive smoothly.

The Cup special edition weighs in 89kg lighter and £2,100 less expensive than the Renaultsport 172 from which it is derived.

On the move, the 172 Cup is surprisingly quiet, despite the fitting of thinner front door windows to cut weight and a lighter tinted windscreen.

Other reductions in weight have been achieved by replacing the spare wheel with anti-puncture inflators and removing equipment including the air conditioning, anti-lock brakes, side airbags and xenon headlamps.

The 172 Cup has a superb image, thanks to its excellent performance and sporting looks, which are aided by 16-inch alloy wheels, low-profile tyres, a larger rear spoiler and a front bumper with an extended lower section.

Inside, the Clio has touches of the Mondial Blue exterior body colour on the soft-feel dashboard, steering wheel insert, gearshift and instrument bezels to improve the sporty air.

On the entertainment front, the car is fitted with a single dash-mounted CD. Fingertip controls for the stereo are standard.

A major selling point for the entire Clio range is value, and the sporting models are no exception.

Airbags are standard, along with remote locking, alarm, electric windows and power steering.

January 23, 2003 09:00