• UK price and specification for new Clio GT-Line confirmed at £17,395 on-the-road
• New trim level will sit between standard range and Renaultsport 200 Turbo EDC territory – offering many of the styling cues, equipment and tech items of the fire-breathing flagship, with even lower running costs (54.3 mpg) and insurance (14E)
• First Renault to feature all-new direct-injection turbocharged 1.2 TCe 120. Mated exclusively to EDC (Efficient Dual Clutch) transmission
• Sport Chassis fitted as standard with 40% stiffer dampers and specific stops
• R.S. Drive fitted as standard with two specific driving modes to give option of enhanced driving characteristics: Normal and Sport
• Sporty GT styling offers 17-inch alloys, rear lip spoiler, side sills, rear diffuser, front and rear bumpers including F1-style blade
• High level of equipment adds 4x35W Arkamys audio with 3D Sound, air conditioning, R-Link seven-inch touchscreen multimedia system with Tom Tom Live satellite navigation, gearshift paddles, GT badging for sports seats, leather steering wheel,  GT kickplates and handsfree keycard
• Available to order now, in UK showrooms from July

Following in the illustrious treadmarks of its potent sibling, Clio Renaultsport 200 Turbo EDC, Renault has confirmed UK pricing and specification for the GT-Line 120 EDC, its more affordable, but equally attractive, brother.

Priced at £17,395, the new version sits between the TCe 90 Dynamique S MediaNav and the 200hp range-topper. With 120hp turbocharged power on tap, allied to much of the hot hatch style and features from the high-selling range’s halo model, but considerably lower running and purchase costs, the French marque is looking for it to have broad customer appeal.

Developed by Renaultsport, the five-door Clio GT-Line TCe 120 EDC is powered by the brand’s new turbocharged, direct-injection 1.2-litre petrol engine. Like its pocket rocket sibling, it comes mated exclusively to a six-speed EDC (Efficient Dual Clutch) transmission via steering column-mounted gear shift paddles.

The newcomer also benefits from two key differences to lesser Clios. Firstly, a Sport Chassis as standard, with 40% stiffer dampers and specific stops. Secondly, the added bonus of R.S. Drive. This system, offers two driving modes (instead of three on the halo model), Normal and Sport. Pressing the button sharpens up the car’s responses, including the engine and gearbox mapping, ESC settings, steering feeling and throttle pedal response. Selecting Sport mode shaves 30 milliseconds off of the already impressive shift time of 200ms for the gearchange. It also retains the multi-changedown function of the 200 Turbo EDC, usually the preserve of supercars, simply by holding down the downshift paddle.

Like the driving experience overall, performance in the newcomer is brisk. The new powertrain offers up 190Nm of torque, with a top speed of 121 mph. Against the stopwatch, 0-62 mph is achieved in a swift 9.9 seconds.

Under its sleek five-door bodyshell, it offers specific settings courtesy of its aforementioned R.S. Drive set-up, plus impressive frugality with 54.3 mpg on the combined cycle and emissions of only 120g/km CO₂, meaning zero road tax in the first year and just £30 thereafter  A likely attraction to a younger audience, its insurance rating is also a palatable 14E.

Instantly recognisable as a stylish alternative to rivals such as thesimilarly powered MINI Cooper and Citroen DS3, the latest creation to be fettled by the Renaultsport wizards is versatile, understated and user-friendly.

New Clio GT-Line TCe 120 EDC boasts plenty of Renaultsport’s design cues, from its grille, GT front and rear bumpers and specific rear lip spoiler, to its side sills, offset LED daytime running lights, twin chrome exhaust tailpipes and GT badging both front and rear. Rounding off its purposeful looks are 17-inch anthracite GT alloys, together with co-ordinating anthracite door mirrors and rear diffuser.

In the unlikely event that these alterations still don’t distinguish it enough from other versions, the optional Renault i.d. Malta Blue paint finish certainly will.

The sport theme continues on the inside with an upmarket cabin boasting dark carbon GT upholstery, matched with details picked out in chrome and gloss black. A GT leather steering wheel with badging, Renaultsport seats with additional side support, aluminium-capped pedals, steering column-mounted gearshift paddles and specific instrument backgrounds all testify to the fact that this is a pedigree, high-performance Clio. Anthracite surrounds for the air vents, gearlever gaiter, plus inserts for the gearlever and door panels also give the car an air of exclusivity.

In the true tradition of its warm hatch variants, Renault hasn’t skimped on equipment either. The Clio GT-Line TCe 120 EDC is packed full of the latest technology, including the seven-inch touchscreen R-Link multi-media system with integrated TomTom Live satellite navigation and three months TomTom Live Services subscription, Application Store and Eco Driving Menu. The set-up also provides 4x35W Arkamys audio with 3D sound, Bluetooth, USB and hands-free technology and Renault Bass Reflex system, two tweeters and fingertip remote controls. As you would expect on the penultimate version in the range, hands-free card for entry and ignition and air conditioning are also standard.

Lastly, safety has not been forgotten either with ABS and a raft of electronic aids (ESC and ETC (Electronic Stability and Traction Control), HSA (Hill Start Assist) all specified as standard equipment.

In spite of the generous equipment level, several tempting items feature on the options list for the more discerning customer. Among them are a reversing camera, fixed glass panoramic sunroof and also leather upholstery with heated front seats.

The all-new Clio GT-Line 120 EDC comes in five colours, one of which is solely the preserve of this latest model, Renault i.d. metallic Malta Blue. The others are white, a further Renault i.d. metallic Flame Red, plus Diamond Black and Mercury.

Ordering is open ahead of appearing in showrooms from July, with first customer deliveries commencing in September.

RENAULT OFFERS FREE INSURANCE ON TWINGO AND SPECIFIC CLIO VERSIONS

From today, Renault is offering free insurance, worth potentially thousands of pounds, to retail buyers of its Twingo and 1.2-litre petrol-engined Clios. The summer promotion, giving a year’s free insurance to up to two drivers, is available with all orders purchased via RCI Financial Services ‘Selections’ PCP (Personal Contract Plan).

On a Clio Expression 1.2 16V 75 for example, worth £10,595 on-the-road, the customer offer with 12 months free insurance would work out as deposit of £1,800, and monthly payments £149 per month (8.9% APR) over a four-year contract.

For its smaller sibling, Twingo Dynamique, with the same engine, the figures are just as appealing. From as low as £99 per month over four years, based on £10,550 on-the-road price, with initial deposit of £3,596 (9% APR).

The offer applies to all 1.2-litre engined Clios (Expression, Expression+ and Dynamique MediaNav),plus Twingo Dynamique 1.2 16V 75, for retail orders placed between 7^th and 30^th June and registered by 30^thJune 2013 (31^st October on Expression). On top of this, each order also qualifies for Renault’s 4+ included package, worth £1,000, giving free four years /100,000 miles warranty, routine servicing and roadside assistance.

The 12 months free insurance is through Renault Insurance for both the driver and one additional named driver. Full terms and conditions are available at www.renault.co.uk/insuranceoffer. Among the stipulations are, it’s open to buyers aged 21-70, private individuals only, with a minimum of three years current, full UK or EU licence, plus three years no claims bonus.