For the motorist who has the wherewithal to cock a snook at mundanity, why not, I say, entertain the thought of the new Clio Gordini 200 from Renault with two hundred Gallic horses all tucked up under the bonnet ready to deliver sophisticated thrills for the motorist who likes to leave the crowd behind writes Syd Taylor.

Founded by Amedee Gordini – known as Le Sorcier (The Sorcerer) – the brand has long been held in high esteem by afficionados and in keeping with this illustrious tradition which included competition in Formula One from 1950 -1956, Renault have put together an irresistible package of high-tech potency and refinement.

The new Clio Gordini 200 is no streetwise fire-breathing monster. It comes attired in the sharpest, slickly tailored suit with the plush interior benefitting from ‘Oh so comfy and supportive’ blue and grey leather seats and all the fixtures and fittings like sat nav, air con and other things for the sybarite.

But do not be deceived.

It’s based on the Renaultsport Clio 200 and the Gordini treatment adds looks and luxury and no extra performance. (As if it needs it).

This is not so much a wolf in sheeps clothing as a stealth spaceship tearing through Montgolfiers baloon. The experience of driving this apogee of dynamism would leave you breathless were it not for that salon-like level of comfort and exquisite elegance which find the lucky driver merely whispering ‘C’est si bon!’

Defiantly non-dull, it is a leap away from the mundane; from boring cars as appliances. It’s an indulgence. Lots of fun.

It’s the sort of car that demands an international highways committee to redesign and construct roads – the better to indulge the kinetic cornucopia of delights that is this fabulous machine. Existentialism is alive and well once more in this four wheeled incarnation of the essence of speed.

French motor engineering has a long and illustrious pedigree – and it’s to the manufacturers credit that they insist on sharing the delights of this irresistible beauty in the face of twenty first century puritanism with just five hundred fortunate friends of ‘La Liberte’ on this side of the Channel.

Each Clio Gordini 200 will carry an engraved plate showing the build number.(On test was number one).

With 200bhp from the two-litre, normally aspirated engine, it’s a member of the exclusive 100bhp per litre club. Via a six speed manual transmission, performance figures of 0-62mph in just 6.9seconds and top speed of over 140mph are outstanding – so an overall fuel consumption of nearly 35mpg is very acceptable.

Out on the open road, overtaking is effortless and, quite frankly, my pal in his big fat Porsche just couldn’t keep up.

However it doesn’t have that instant low down wallop that you get with a turbo or supercharger so you need to use the beautifully slick gearbox and delight in the exhaust note that’s music to any enthusiasts’ ears as the revs rise.

It’s a wonderfully balanced car that is a joy to drive, letting you confidently exploit the performance. It’s surely the benchmark hot-hatch because power and chassis competence are perfectly matched.

Fluid high speed A to B travel in one of these is exhilarating and safe and you have the reassurance of outstanding braking capability thanks to the finest ‘stoppers’ in Christendom: four piston Brembos! (I can tell you now that I owe much to Brembos, having tested them to the extreme in supersonic travel on bikes.).

There are quicker cars, of course, but the Gordinis smooth capability puts it ahead of the field – and where some hot hatches will tie you in nots if you are too exuberant, the Gordini just massages your ego.

In your correspondent’s humble opinion, not since Bleriot’s visit have our friends across the Channel opened our eyes to engineering excellence of such a high degree. And best of all, you don’t have to ‘cherche’ a millionaire in order to acquire one at £19,650.

As far as economy goes at nearly 35mpg combined, here’s a car where you can have your croissant and eat it. Reading the specification is like perusing a catalogue at The Louvre. The mystery is not in the Mona Lisa smile, but in the wonderful design package.

As I climbed out and shut the door for the last time I was so overcome with affection for this car that I simply had to kiss it on both cheeks and for the next week I insisted on black coffee and baguettes for breakfast.

After recent experiences with ‘Our Gordon’ this Gordini has all the excitement of the Great Escape. It’s the only car I know that Houdini himself would fight to get into and not out of.