Renault Clio news - Frankfurt fallout: Supermini estates square up - 2007

Supermini estates are everywhere this season. First we saw the Peugeot 207 SW, and then Frankfurt played host to a trio of baby estates: the Mini Clubman, Skoda Fabia Estate and Renault Clio Grand Sport Tourer.

We've given the Mini Clubman a good going-over already, but suffice to say we're not convinced by the fussy styling and funny back-to-front doors.

In any case, the Clubman is more likely to be bought as a fashion accessory (a large fashion accessory, admittedly) than a genuine load-lugger: unlike either the Fabia or the Clio.

They should both be genuinely spacious, with the Fab edging the bootspace battle, promising 480 litres of storage against the Clio's 439. By comparison, the Clubman's boot is a mere 260 litres.

We know that the Fabia Estate will get 1.2-, 1.4- and 1.6-litre petrol engines, as well as 1.4- and 1.9-litre turbodiesels.

While there's no official word on what will power the Clio Sport Tourer, expect it to gain most of the hatch Clio's powerplants, including the 1.2- and 1.6-litre petrol and 1.5dCi engines. Sadly, we're told that the Clio 197's 2.0-litre engine won't make the jump.

So not much to separate the two supermini estates, then. We reckon the Clio is the better-looking of the two - a bit sleeker, a bit less boxy - but the Fabia might just edge it on practicality.

And then there's always that 207 SW. Too many choices...