The Clio Renaultsport 172 is no stranger to performance fans. But if you’ve got motorsport in your blood, it’s the new 172 Cup that will really set your pulse racing. With 89kg shaved off its weight, the new Clio will hit 62mph in just 6.8 seconds. Its suspension has been re-tuned for sharper handling, too, with wider track and a lower ride height. And best of all, a list price of £12,995 means it’ll cost you £2100 less than the standard 172.

Weight savings were achieved by losing the spare wheel, air-con, ABS, side airbags, under-seat storage trays and xenon headlamps, and by minimising sound deadening. To compensate for the loss of ABS, the braking system has been redesigned with less power-assistance for easier heeling and toeing.

Renault says the vehicle was developed with an eye to track day or Group N rally use. That doesn’t mean they’ve neglected to fill it with styling tweaks to make it look the part, however – as well as enlarged spoilers and 16-inch Speedline alloys, you get special cloth upholstery which ‘ensures excellent support in sporting driving conditions.’ Looks like the silly season’s not over quite yet. Service intervals mimic the standard 172’s, at 12,000 miles or two years – though if you’re going to be thrashing it sideways round a racetrack every other weekend, you can safely assume it’ll want looking at a bit more regularly than that.