Not driven the later ones, but a Clio 172 would easily outpace an early V6 on a country road . Properly twitchy handling, and a back end that steps out... and doesn't like coming back!

Drove one from Bath to Crail and nearly lost it in Bath town centre... then again going on to the M4.. then coming out of the service station... etc

Funny car though, great presence and there's definitely something cool about them.