Stay away from brightly coloured creatures – they're more than likely venomous – especially those with red spots.

The clumsily monikered Megane Renaultsport 230 F1 Team R26 I drove last week was luminous yellow and inside every 18" Anthracite alloy wheel lurked a scarlet red Brembo four-pot brake caliper. Ominous signs indeed.

Inside, however, this performance hatch (hot doesn't go far enough) is less Tree Frog and more toad...in the hole.

There are nods towards the fact this car is inspired by the Formula One World Championship winning R26 car of Fernando Alonso, but it's much less shouty than the exterior.

In fact it's actually quite plain. You could almost kid yourself into thinking you were in a sensible car – until you make it go.

From the moment you press the push-button starter you know you're in for a treat.

The engine emits a deep yet smooth note on start-up. A bit like Pavarotti clearing his throat ready to hit the high notes of Nessun Dorma.

The 1990 World Cup track translates as 'let no one sleep' and as long as you're in this car, there will be no power napping.

The turbo-charged Megane generates 230bhp at 5,500rpm. It will dash to 62mph in 6.2 seconds and march quickly on to almost 150mph.

The fun bit comes as you're pottering along doing, say, 20mph in second gear. Suddenly you become aware of a hissing – like an adder in the undergrowth, waiting to strike.

Then, wham! The turbo charger blows a lump of fuel into the chamber and the Megane comes to life.

Seriously, driving this car slowly is like trying to eat a jam donut without licking your lips – it can't be done. You constantly have the urge to floor it, hear the turbo chime in, then test the vented brakes.

At town speeds the Megane is as quiet as a luxury saloon. It's only the taught ride that belies its track-day credentials.

This car would be as easy to live with as Nigella Lawson on a day-to-day basis – warm, friendly and cooks a good roast.

But when you need Nigella Lawson to become Nigel Mansell, just draw a moustache on with a felt tip pen and the transformation is complete.

To cement this car's race day aspirations comes a limited slip differential (LSD). In short, this helps the front wheels to plant the 230 horses galloping through them.

On the road this means the Megane suffers from a degree of torque steer. Nothing like that which Focus RS drivers experienced but enough to remind you to mind how you go.

On the track, this 'diff' could shave seconds off lap times because the car will power out of corners with very little energy wasted.

At a shade under £20,000 it is priced to compete with the Honda Civic Type R, Focus ST and Golf GTi.

But the styling poured into the Megane will make it very popular with the fashion enthusiast.

Lose the garish F1 graphics and you've got one of the best looking hot hatches around.

Add in the cruise control, air conditioning, ESP, active headlights, twin chrome exhaust outlet and more, and suddenly you begin to realise this is the car Renault have been trying to make for some time.