RENAULT is turning up the heat with the release of two new hot hatches - the Megane RS and a very special version of the Clio.

Just 15 versions of the Clio RS 18 will be coming to Britain, priced from £24,295.

Inspired by the Renault Sport Racing Formula One Team, the Clio RS 18 is finished in a black and yellow colour scheme and is powered by the same 1.6-litre engine as the RS 220 Trophy.

Turbo boosted to develop 220bhp, the car has a 0 to 60 acceleration time of 6.6 seconds with a top speed of 146mph. Official fuel figures rate it at 47.9mpg with a CO2 figure of 135g/km.

It uses a six-speed dual clutch automatic transmission and comes with an Akrapovic sports exhaust, uprated brakes and a launch control setting in its drive modes.

The ultra exclusive Clio RS 18 will be arriving in July at the same time as the hot new Megane which will be priced from £27,495.

With Renault's 4Control all-wheel steering system and the choice of Sport or Cup chassis the Megane RS will have the most powerful 1.8-litre engine currently available, developing 280bhp.

It gives the Megane RS a 0 to 60 time of 5.8 seconds with a maximum of 158mph and a combined fuel return of 39.7mpg with emissions of 161g/km.

Automatic versions, priced from £29,195, are slightly thirstier rated at 40.9 to the gallon.

Cup versions - which cost £1,500 more - have a limited slip differential and uprated suspension making the ride 10 per cent stiffer, although Renault has said it will wave the extra cost for orders placed during May.

All models will come with Renault's RS Monitor telemetry system allowing drivers to record their performance while the Megane RS is also fitted with PerfoHub dampers initially devised by Renault Sport engineers to improve grip and ride.

There's also multi-mode drive settings to optimise performance for track or road use while the car is fitted with a seven-inch touchscreen with European mapping, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, handsfree keycard with automatic locking and welcome function and heated electric door mirrors.

Options include an opening sunroof, 8.7-inch portrait touchscreen, Alcantara seats and an eight-speaker BOSE sound system as well as automatic parking, a rear parking camera, blind spot warning, adaptive cruise control, distance warning and automatic emergency braking.