A revised version of the 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with continuously variable valve timing and 194bhp is fitted (the 197 being a PS figure) and a six-speed gearbox. What’s it like? In a word, scintillating. Not because it bungs you down the road like an old-school hatch and rattles your fillings. Rather, because Renault has managed to retain most of the inner-hooligan and then injected a massive dose of comfort and refinement. This car has such exceptional damping it will cope with any surface at ludicrous speed without throwing itself into a hedge (historically a common hot hatch issue) and then cruise home. Although the motor needs big revs to work, it is much more linear than before. The gearbox is in a different league and the driving position is sorted. Plus, it has some of the finest front seats ever fitted to a production car. Should I buy one? In an ideal world you should buy at least two, but we would forgive you for taking just the one. The 197 is a very special car. At £15,995, it’s a performance bargain –even if Renault has been a bit cheeky and made climate control and automatic lights/wipers an option. There is no other small hatch so perfectly resolved for UK B-roads. Chris Harris