Renault’s biggest offering to their fans at this year’s Geneva Motor Show is a new version of the Clio RS hot hatch. This one’s called the RS 220 Trophy, and there’s a clue as to how much horsepower you get from the little Frenchie. Hot hatches are what Renault does best, which is why we’re expecting this latest model to be pretty good at what it’s supposed to do.

On paper things certainly look good. Renault Clio RS Trophy 220 comes with 10 per cent more power and up to an extra 40Nm of torque compared to the standard model, up to 220hp and 260 Nm of torque, and it features a ‘Torque Boost’ feature as well which in fourth and fifth gears raises peak torque to 280Nm.

As with the standard Clio RS, the Trophy 220 is a nerd fest with all sorts of electronic wizardry going on behind the scenes to make the car faster. The EDC transmission for example features a new software with a more profound difference between the ‘Normal’ and ‘Sport’ modes, promising sharp changes in the latter. The electric steering system is also tuned to be faster and tighter.

As for the mechanical changes, Renault Clio RS Trophy sits lower by 20mm at the front, 10mm at the rear and rides on Michelin Pilot Super Sport 205/40R18. It comes with a new steering wheel and the Trophy’ interior pack including Heated leather sports seats with integral head rests, plus carbon-look air-vent surrounds, door handles and gear lever base plate. The air-vent inserts are now in satin chrome rather than anodised red.