BEST BUYS RENAULT SPORT

OF ALL THE MANUFACTURERS THAT HAVE PULLED OUT OF the hot hatch game recently, Renault is the one we'll probably miss the most. Its Renault Sport division churned out a stunning run of performance cars over the past three decades, more often than not setting the benchmark by which others were judged.

- YOUSUF ASHRAF

Its hot Clios and Méganes brought accessible fun to the masses, while the brand's series of daring specials have redefined what a hot hatch can be - all in the pursuit of maximum thrills.

Though its traditional hot hatches have been put to rest in favour of performance EVs built under the Alpine brand, there's still a vast selection of Renault Sport models waiting to be enjoyed on the used market - some world-beating, some truly mad and others offering exceptional value for money. All are meticulously engineered to put the driver at the centre of the experience, to a degree that puts some purpose-built sports cars to shame. Read on to discover how to bag a slice of this magic for as little as £3500.

RENAULT SPORT CLIO TROPHY

A supermini superhero that remains a driver's dream 20 years on

THE CLIO TROPHY WAS THE PEOPLE'S CHAMPION OF eCoty 2005. 'There's absolutely nothing you could improve about that car,' said Harry Metcalfe after it placed third, dusting up a Lamborghini Gallardo SE, E46 BMW M3 CS and Porsche Cayman S, among others. It made such an impression that Harry went on to buy the very example from that test, and nearly two decades later the Trophy is still a fantastic buy.

This ultimate Clio 182 is what you get when an already brilliant car is tweaked, honed and developed to an even higher level. The standard Renault Sport Clio was already a gem, its diddly proportions disguising a heavyweight blow from a naturally aspirated 2-litre engine and a chassis that could maximise every drop of available power. It was affordable, fast and hugely entertaining, but as the model entered its final phase of production, Renault decided to create the ultimate run-out special.