Two of the hardest questions which face a designer when developing a budget-priced car are: what to leave out and (equally difficult) what to put in. Get the basics right though, and ingenuity and imagination can more than compensate for a modest production budget, and as the simple, but simple terrific, Clio RL shows, that constitutes as good a definition of value for money as any.

The different specifications you could have were:-

• 1.2, 1171cc, fuel-injected with catalytic converter, 60bhp and a choice of 3 and 5 door.
• 1.9 Diesel, 1870cc, 65bhp and a choice of 3 and 5 door.

A lot of cars promise good value, in reality, all they offer is a low price. But, in addition to a long list of worthwhile features, this one offers something no other small car can - the good sense, the great style, the sheer fun you only get from a lio.

The RL model is also quite basic, offering good accommodation, handling and performance also. The RL had the option of the push-rod 1.1 litre engine, although not many of these found their way to the UK.