Spied this week at a...

Spied this week at a dealer launch in France, Renault"s next-generation Clio is out to give the number one-selling Corsa a tough fight - and it"s laying its hopes on a bold new face. With huge headlights and a smaller grille, the new three-door Clio is a stronger design than the current car. That visual strength is continued at the rear, with a chunky C-pillar and elliptical tail-lights. The whole effect is much sportier than the five-door, which will look more like a baby Scenic.

To our way of thinking...

To our way of thinking, a facelift in 2003 spoiled the 156"s looks, and you can"t beat the earlier cars when it comes to value for money. The trademark offset number plate, heart-shaped grille and hidden rear door handles were there from the start, and with a decent engine line-up from day one - including the cracking 2.0-litre Twin Spark - there"s much to recommend it. Fragile interior trim and shoddy build are the major weaknesses, so stick to low-mileage cars with a full dealer history to minimise the risks of buying a dud.