Hottest Clio hits UK

RENAULT UK has revealed full details of – and announced an exclusive pre-ordering system for - the Clio Renaultsport 197 that made its world debut at the Geneva motor show in March The hottest version of the new Clio III, which goes on sale here early next year, hits Renault UK showrooms on July 18 – the opening day of of the British motor show - and will be open to orders in the UK from May 30, priced at £15,995 ($A38,600).

But in a novel sales strategy, registered members of www.renaultsport.co.uk who order their Clio 197 from yesterday (May 8) will be reserved a production slot and are guaranteed to be the first UK customers to receive their cars.

As previously reported, Renault claims the 197hp (147kW) Clio is the most powerful supermini (light hatch) available, and blasts to 100km/h in 6.9 seconds.

Replacing the previous-generation Clio Renaultsport 182, the 197 arrives in the UK six months after the release of the third-generation Clio.

Renault Australia is yet to decide if it will launch the Clio III hatch together with or separately from the Renaultsport version in 2007.