IT’S the perfect launch material for Britain’s newest Renault main dealer and service centre, Autoplanet in Southampton which is well advanced with a £4m revamp.

For Top Gear has just crowned Renault-sport its Manufacturer of the Year – a fact that will be appreciated in the city that’s the French maker’s UK gateway for imports and hub of a fervent following for the brand’s hot sporting models.

It’s a good job that irreverent TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson chose Belfast rather than our docks when he doubtless upset a few million enthusiasts by trashing a fabulous Twingo Renaultsport 133 in last Sunday’s show.

But I suppose his defence (apart from the problems associated with that age group) is that glowing accolade for the brand where the sportiest models come with the Cup chassis – a great Cup run!

A vintage year for the performance subsidiary of Renault, 2009 has seen the introduction of the new pocket rocket Twingo Renaultsport 133 Cup – best not battered then sunk in St George’s Channel – the new Clio Renaultsport 200 and the imminent arrival on UK shores of the stunning looking and performing Megane Renaultsport 250.

Conor McNicholas, editor of Top Gear, said: “Renaultsport has been impressing us for years but 2009 was the year where the whole project hit a new sweet spot – Twingo, Clio and Megane all out in hot form and all of them at their best ever. For services to hot hatches, we salute you.”

Now in its tenth year, the Top Gear awards are a global recognition by the TV, magazine and online teams of the best from the last 12 months of the motoring world.

Remi Deconinck, MD of Renault Sport Technologies, said: “We like to think that Renaultsport and Top Gear share some fundamental values: accessible, enthusiastic and professional and with a well-developed sense of fun. Above all, we share a passion for cars and driving.”

Renault Sport Technologies is a subsidiary of the Renault group. Its overall mission includes three principal areas of activity:

  • the design, development, manufacture and sale of production performance models (Twingo Renaultsport 133, Clio Renaultsport 200 and Megane Renaultsport 250)
  • the production and sale of competition cars for rallying: the new Twingo Renaultsport R1 and R2, Clio Renaultsport R3 Access and Maxi
  • the production and sale of competition cars for circuit racing: Renault Formula 2.0, Renault Formula 3.5, Clio Cup and Megane Trophy with the organisation of international single-make championships (World Series by Renault, Clio R3 Trophies) and Renaultsport Experience activities (trackdays and factory visits).

The Renaultsport range comprises: Twingo Renaultsport 133 – the entry-level to the passion of Renaultsport. With diminutive size and weight, the 133hp naturally aspirated engine provides plenty of thrills. The range comprises the 133 Cup, 133 and, next April, the introduction of the Twingo Gordini Renaultsport.

Clio Renaultsport 200 – the hot hatch that has punched well above its weight in various Performance Car of the Year’s tests. Available in 200 Cup or 200 versions, the road car is based very closely on the highly successful Clio Cup racer.

Megane Renaultsport 250 – universally praised from the international launch. Hot hatch enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the arrival on UK shores of both the 250 Cup and 250 next month.

n Don’t forget the regularly updated World of Top Gear exhibition at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu.