TO the uninitiated, the Golf GTI and the Renault Clio Cup 200 might appear to be cut from the same cloth.

Give them but a cursory glance and they could easily be pigeon-holed as nothing more than just another a pair of hot hatches.

In reality though, neither of them exactly fit that description, though for entirely different reasons.

Both cars have their charms, but both will appeal to very different markets and pockets. It all depends what floats your boat.

While the Clio is a hardcore raver, the Golf is much more refined.

Think of the former as Keith Flint from The Prodigy, all in your face and full of obvious aggression, while the latter is more Tom Yorke from Radiohead, full of quiet intensity.

In terms of speed there is little to choose between the two. The Golf tops out at 149mph, while the Clio follows close behind at 141mph.

Out of the blocks, both cars are a match for each other, hitting the 62mph mark in 6.9 seconds.

That, however, is where their similarities end.

The colour of our Clio test car gives perhaps the biggest clue of its target audience.

It's officially known as Alien Green, but could be called many other things, not all of them complimentary. Safe to say you could never lose it in a car park.

The exterior is heavily body-kitted with air vents located behind the flared front arches, a Formula One-style blade putting the fear of God into those in front and a rear diffuser with large twin exhausts showing those following behind it means business.

Throw in 17ins alloys in striking white and red brake calipers and the desired image is complete.

Renault offers two versions of this car, the Cup and the Cup 200.

The latter, the one we had on test, has a lower ride height and stiffer springs and does without the likes of automatic climate control, keyless entry, and ISOFIX child seat mounting points - all presumably to save on both weight and price.

It knocks 1,000 off the tag, but also makes the interior look quite spartan.

I doubt, however, that those interested in buying this car are too bothered about creature comforts. No, they will be more concerned with what lies beneath its bonnet and how it drives.

They, whoever they are, will be very pleased.

The Clio is powered by a two litre, 16 valve engine that generates around 200bhp. It provides power through all of its six gears, keeping going right the way to the redline.

As if to emphasise its hardcore properties, the Cup is also a very shouty little thing. Like an angry pit bull on a very short leash, it generates so much noise that I could feel the adrenaline coursing dangerously through my veins.

Don't get me wrong, a part of me did like the thrill I got, its limpet like handling encouraging you to chuck it into corners and the like, but I think I'd be a nervous wreck by the end of the week if I was to use it for the daily commute.

Conversely, while the Golf offers just as much fun as the Renault, it is so much more refined and, it must be pointed out, significantly more expensive.

Externally, it's much harder to gauge just what it's capable of.

It's body still has bulges and flares in all the right places, but they are more subtle, their existence less obvious.

Our test car, in candy white, was shod with fat rubber and a stunning pair of Monza Shadow alloys, but while eye-catching they were far more discreet than the Clio's.

Its interior has all the mod cons and more besides and its seats, unlike the Clio's razor sharp Recaros, are more suited to someone of my increasing years.

There's a touch-screen stereo cum satellite navigation system, a very civilised air conditioning unit and the dash is filled with classically styled dials.

There's also a smattering of chrome trim, leather on the gearknob and on the steering wheel, which also features controls for the radio and the trip computer.

Under the hood, there's a comparable two-litre engine and, like the Clio, it responds whichever of the six gears you are in.

That response is especially keen in the midrange and whereas you might want to change down in similar cars to gain the boost needed to overtake, with the Golf you can simply push your right foot further to the floor and away you go.

The Golf's adaptive chassis also means you can travel in whichever manner you feel like - comfort, normal or sport.

Progression is smooth and at times it is difficult to gauge just how fast you are going without looking at the speedometer.

It's as civilised in the town as it is on the open road and offers the perfect compromise for those who want both fun and practicality.

Two cars, two very different experiences. It's quite literally a case of horses, or horsepower more accurately, for courses.