RE: Renaultsport Clio 200 Turbo: Driven

[ts86net]

Love the Twin Clutch Gearbox screen!

[loudlashadjuster]

So, is the sky falling in or not?

[Technomatt]

As expected I suppose, it drives well but its a right old minger for looks.

I just can’t see the handling compensating enough for the bum looks and 5 doors to pull in a new breed of buyers.

When parked, it will be one of those cars you don’t glance back at as you walk away.

[Hellbound]

Look forward to seeing what he thinks about the Cup car.

Evo had this to say about the Cup chassis;

'A go in the Cup-equipped car on track revealed quite exuberant handling; with the space to play and a damp, slippery surface the Clio 200 Turbo Cup is hilariously, brilliantly lively.'

[Technomatt]

It has not gone down that well with Autocar:

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/first-drives/r...

[V8 FOU]

Sorry, but 1204kg??? That is Heavy....

[th85]

I like it to be honest. Had a 172 previously and love the 197/200. Would seriously consider one for the wife.

[ArtVandelay]

kambites said:

Penneth said:

ArtVandelay said:

Are the recaros still an option?

Nope No Recaros (yet). It's rumoured they will be offered at a later date.

I'm sure you could retro-fit some, if you really wanted to.

Always liked the ones fitted to the old 200, looked a lot better than the ones I had in my Megane.

[Technomatt]

th85 said:

I like it to be honest. Had a 172 previously and love the 197/200. Would seriously consider one for the wife.

But would the wife consider one for herself?

Most seem to go for the Mini, Fiat 500 type stuff. Something with a bit more style.

[TameRacingDriver]

doogz said:

V8 FOU said:

Sorry, but 1204kg??? That is Heavy....

Is it?

It's a little over 100kg more than my 182 weighed nearly ten years ago.

It's less than many 2-seaters as well. MR2 Turbo - 1,270 kg and that was back in the mid 90s.

Never saw anyone complaining the EP3 CTR was too heavy, yet this weighs the same.

[Dan Trent]

Clio 197/200 is 1,240kg...

Dan

[elephantstone]

Technomatt said:

It has not gone down that well with Autocar:

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/first-drives/r...

This is whats thrown me, i came on here after reading the autocar review. Steve said the gearbox is slow and Chris has said its fast? I'm in two minds of selling the mx5 for a deposit and getting a new Fiesta ST as the few grand saved really does make a big difference on monthly payments etc over the clio. Obviously i have not driven either and my maths are man but the clio is looking like it might be quite easy to live with as a daily.... HMMM

[enroz]

Dan Trent said:

Clio 197/200 is 1,240kg...

Dan

There is always the looks to fall back on if all other complaints fail

[nickfrog]

V8 FOU said:

Sorry, but 1204kg??? That is Heavy....

I even think this is DIN, not even EC weight, so without 75kgs driver.

[Escort Si-130]

I like the look of it,what is wrong with it???

TameRacingDriver said:

Sounds a hoot to drive, but I agree with Monkey it's no looker. Still, I suppose you can't see it when you're driving it.

[Technomatt]

enroz said:

There is always the looks to fall back on if all other complaints fail

Chris Harris has already said it. Looks = biggest problem.

[thiscocks]

So does this gearbox work like a DSG?

[Dan Trent]

thiscocks said:

So does this gearbox work like a DSG?

Yes, it's a Getrag dual-clutch unit.

Cheers,

Dan

[Technomatt]

elephantstone said:

This is whats thrown me, i came on here after reading the autocar review. Steve said the gearbox is slow and Chris has said its fast? I'm in two minds of selling the mx5 for a deposit and getting a new Fiesta ST as the few grand saved really does make a big difference on monthly payments etc over the clio. Obviously i have not driven either and my maths are man but the clio is looking like it might be quite easy to live with as a daily.... HMMM

There seems to be a range of opinions developing regarding the gearbox. Here's another report that gives it a bit of a slagging:

http://www.carenthusiast.com/reviews/article/8213/...

"Renault is definitely taking the 200 Turbo to a different place with this new car, and it's likely that it'll alienate a number of its hardcore followers in the process. Key to that is the inclusion of the paddle-shift auto, which needn't necessarily rob the car of its appeal (we're not complete luddites here), but it's not particularly well integrated and ultimately frustrates. We'd take a slower car if it were more fun, and, crucially, engaging".

[il sole]

Technomatt said:

It has not gone down that well with Autocar:

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/first-drives/r...

that's because it isn't a Jag, a ford or a land rover.