RENAULT and Volkswagen are whetting the appetites of user-choosers by revealing details of their new hot hatchbacks.

Although only a concept car at the moment, the Clio Renaultsport Concept gives strong clues to next year’s Clio Renaultsport 2.0 – the successor to the popular Clio 182. Details of the production version are thin on the ground, although expect the concept’s 18-inch wheels and 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated engine to make it to showrooms.

Unlike Renault, Volkswagen’s new hot hatch is already production-ready. The Golf R32, on sale in the UK in November, is powered by a 3.2-litre V6 engine producing 247bhp and using 4Motion four-wheel drive.

As the ultimate Golf, the R32 features a more aggressive bodykit than the GTi and rides on bespoke 18-inch, 20-spoke alloy wheels. Prices for both models have yet to be announced.