IT'S official, as the biggest buyer of Renaultsport cars, the UK loves Renaultsport. Especially Clio ones, with more Clio Renaultsports sold in the first eight months of this year than were sold in the whole of 2003, and that was a record year itself for the 172 and 172 Cup. Much of this increase is due to the new Clio Renaultsport 182 and V6 255 both launched at the beginning of this year.

Now the nation's love affair with the ever popular hot hatch is set to increase even further with the announcement that a new Clio Renaultsport 182 Cup is now on sale. Debuted at the Paris Motor Show 2004, the new Clio Renaultsport 182 Cup is a lighter version, delivering extra Va Va Voom on the road thanks to a number of technical developments and all at the reduced price of £13,800.

Renault is certainly confident it will repeat the success of the much-admired Clio Renaultsport 172 Cup which endeared itself to so many who could do without some of the luxury equipment of the normal car in search of more performance and the added benefit of a lower price.

The new Renaultsport 182 Cup is designed to do a similar thing with some new changes. Feedback from 172 Cup customers included requests for air conditioning and ABS, both of which were removed from the 172 to make the Cup lighter and therefore quicker.