Business Car Manager verdict

On paper, the GT-Line is an excellent addition to the well-received 4th generation Renault Clio. In practice, it doesn’t quite add up.

The trouble is that it falls between less expensive siblings such as the Clio Dynamique MediaNav dCi 90, which feels just as fast as the GT-Line due to its torquey diesel engine, and the full-beans Clio Renaultsport 200 Turbo EDC, which is just £1600 more to purchase and then makes real use of the paddle shifters and might even tempt you onto a track with its hard core performance.

The GT-line model tested here drives well but is barely warm. There is no option for a Cup chassis and Renault make no bones about the ultimate performance; it is even slower than BMW’s first generation MINI Cooper of 14 years ago.

Nevertheless, the chassis and low kerb weight make the GT-Line an excellent car, especially if you want an automatic transmission for an urban environment.

It would be harsh to write off the GT-Line as nothing more than an overpriced automatic with good looks, but unfortunately it’s true.

However, if you covet the striking looks of the Clio, one of its true selling points, then the low CO2 emissions and insurance group might make it a compelling option.

The 1.5 litre dCi engine is still the pick of the range for business users however, and a better motorway proposition.

The Low Down…

…and what it costs