Tuesday 21st October 2014

Clio Renaultsport 200 Turbo: PH Fleet

Could the Juke NISMO RS prove an unlikely saviour for the much criticised Clio?

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I can't recall exactly where I read it, or who wrote it, but I'm certain that someone, somewhere has claimed that the shift paddles in the Clio 200 EDC are the very same units fitted to the Nissan GT-R. It being a good few years since I'd driven a GT-R I was inclined to believe this particularly geeky nugget of trivia. I mean, who wouldn't want to have a part of such a technological and engineering marvel in their modest hatchback? It sounded plausible too; surely the boys from Dieppe would be able to procure a supermarket sweep of their Japanese partner's parts bin after a sake-fuelled night on the tiles?

We'll say it again; an update away from brilliance

Last week I got the chance to jump straight out of the Clio and into the driver's seat of an MY14 GT-R. And discovered the disappointing truth that it's a load of twaddle. Both are mounted to the steering column, rather than the wheel itself, for example. And they do share a broadly comparable angel wings shape. But while one pivots with weight and purpose, travels just a few millimetres and signals the selection of a new gear with an unambiguous click, the other swings a good deal further and lacks any kind of haptic feedback. Need I say which one's which?

On paper they both promise similar shift times - 150 milliseconds in Race mode for the Clio - but the reality is night and day. For the Clio, it's the upshifts that really trip it up, stalling the all-important swell of progress. And the fact that you have to pull the paddle that bit further, and there's nothing to tell you the shift has been registered, doesn't help.

The unlikely saviour for the Clio? Could just be

This is hardly news, of course. A tediously repetitive chorus has followed this Clio Renaulsport around from its launch, now over a year and a half ago. Almost every review has sung the same lyric - "With a few tweaks it could be a great car," or words to that effect. The equally chastised 197 only lasted a year before the F1 R27 was wheeled out, with a host of revisions, to answer the critics. So surely Renault must have an update brewing for the 200? To those seeking clues, official channels have nodded in the direction of the recently announced Nissan Juke NISMO RS. This, remember, shares the same engine with the Clio 200. OK, so it's got a ridiculous name, and it's basically a hot hatch in Cuban heels, but touched by the hands of NISMO it now has 215hp (the Clio has 200hp), 210lb ft of torque (up 33lb ft), a mechanical limited-slip differential and some Recaro seats. And where have we heard that recipe used before? Better still, the Nissan even gets a manual gearbox. Now we're talking.

So what are the chances of all, or any, of this coming to the Clio 200? Well, we can but hope. But going on past experience, whatever the details turn out to be, at least we shouldn't have to wait much longer to find out.

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FACT SHEET
Car: Clio Renaultsport 200 Turbo EDC LUX
Run by: Danny Milner
On fleet since: April 2014
Mileage: 8,485
List price new: £21,835 (Basic list of £19,995 plus £650 for Cup Chassis, £300 for 18-inch Renaultsport wheels and Dunlop Sport Maxx RT tyres, £595 for Flame Red i.d. metallic paint, £295 for Renaultsport Monitor)
Last month at a glance: Comparisons with hot Nissans offer hope of future improvements

Previous updates:
Clio arrives on the PH Fleet; faces an uphill struggle for popular opinion
PH 'accidentally' ends up in an impromptu Clio Cup race at Spa
Danny heads to Scotland in search of the Clio's hidden depths
Found - the Clio's wild side
Clio battles its Peugeot nemesis for Danny's affection
So, the Clio wants to be grown-up and mature - is it?

[gregf40]

I'm praying they release this - as someone with both a GTR and previous gen Clio RS I am dying for a Reacro'd model with improvements to the gear box...I even like the current looks!

I for one would buy one in a heartbeat!

[madmatteo]

I've read the stories about the PH RS Clio with interest as I have recently taken delivery of the same car albeit in white. I am currently leasing my car on a short-term basis (i.e. 6 to 9 months depending on mileage) to see what it's like. So far I have been enjoying my time with the car and I personally view it as an improvement on the old Clio 200 which I found impossible to live with on a daily basis due to the rock hard suspension and almost intolerable economy (for the performance on offer). No doubt I will be slated for that view on here but, ultimately, that is my opinion.

The car is now sitting at around 1,500 miles and is starting to "bed in" nicely. It's quick enough and certainly feels quicker than the old 197/200 albeit I do recognise that is mostly down to the low down torque. Also, I have found the gearbox to be perfectly reasonably. It's my first experience of a dual clutch type set up and I do agree with the reviews that it is probably this cars weak point although I do not believe it is anywhere near as bad as people are trying to suggest. I have found that running mine in race mode constantly provides the fastest shifts (which are almost instant in all gears save for the change from 1st to 2nd which does seem to "hang" a little) and also frees up a little extra sound from the exhaust. It also allows for the best economy since you are completely in control of the upshifts and only sacrifice the traction and stability control which, realistically, are not essential in a car with 200hp, especially one with such solid handling.

To put it into perspective, I do around 18,000 (or so) miles a year and the old 200 (and my R26 Megane) provided around 26-27mpg. This car, driven in a similar manner, returns 31(+) and that's even whilst it is still being run in. As such, from a cost perspective this car already stacks up more. I appreciate others who do not do as many miles (or who have more money to throw at a car) may choose something else but I am happy with my choice thus far. If there was such an option, I would have elected to have one with a manual box and, in my opinion, this would rectify most of the issues raised in the reviews and long-term reports. However, for the time-being, I really would recommend trying one as it is much better to live with than you may otherwise believe. It's well specced, handles brilliantly, sounds good (from inside the cabin at least), is more economical than previous models and looks good so long as the cup pack is specced. Others may disagree but I'm glad I have at least given it a try.

[greggy50]

I don't think is necessary a terrible car and with a better gearbox it would probably be pretty good.

The major issue is the Fiesta ST is a better car for less money...

[WCZ]

madmatteo said:

I'm glad I have at least given it a try.

not easy to try though, someone at my office was unable to get a test drive without putting a deposit down (he's 26 but pretty well off and drove to the dealers in an AMG C class...) the attitude of Renault at the dealerships is reportedly like they believe the Renaultsport cars are like Ferrari's and anyone under 30 can't possibly afford one or the insurance

[matt1269]

WCZ said:

not easy to try though, someone at my office was unable to get a test drive without putting a deposit down (he's 26 but pretty well off and drove to the dealers in an AMG C class...) the attitude of Renault at the dealerships is reportedly like they believe the Renaultsport cars are like Ferrari's and anyone under 30 can't possibly afford one or the insurance

This is the exact same issue I came across. I wasn't allowed to test drive my current clio 200 until I collected it, and they won't allow me to test drive the new one unless I put a deposit down!

[Butter Face]

WCZ said:

madmatteo said:

I'm glad I have at least given it a try.

not easy to try though, someone at my office was unable to get a test drive without putting a deposit down (he's 26 but pretty well off and drove to the dealers in an AMG C class...) the attitude of Renault at the dealerships is reportedly like they believe the Renaultsport cars are like Ferrari's and anyone under 30 can't possibly afford one or the insurance

It's more likely that, like most dealers, the one he visited doesn't run an RS Clio as a demo (because A: They don't have to, or B: They don't sell enough of them to justify it) and they would have to ask Renault to rustle one up for someone to drive. That would be a PITA and wouldn't happen unless they had a confirmed offer.




I've driven the RS Clio on a number of occassions and I like the EDC box, it will never compete with a manual though. I would personally love a manual Clio with recaros.

[madmatteo]

matt1269 said:

WCZ said:

not easy to try though, someone at my office was unable to get a test drive without putting a deposit down (he's 26 but pretty well off and drove to the dealers in an AMG C class...) the attitude of Renault at the dealerships is reportedly like they believe the Renaultsport cars are like Ferrari's and anyone under 30 can't possibly afford one or the insurance

This is the exact same issue I came across. I wasn't allowed to test drive my current clio 200 until I collected it, and they won't allow me to test drive the new one unless I put a deposit down!

It's a shame that it's a car which is so difficult to test drive as it really is worth a go. I have to accept that I haven't really put my money where my mouth is at present and if, and when, I do I will be trying the Fiesta ST and 208 GTI as well to be sure. However, if Renault do make a manual version (potentially with the recaros), then I'm afraid that my make me lean there way since it is growing on me as a daily drive.

[framerateuk]

WCZ said:

not easy to try though, someone at my office was unable to get a test drive without putting a deposit down (he's 26 but pretty well off and drove to the dealers in an AMG C class...) the attitude of Renault at the dealerships is reportedly like they believe the Renaultsport cars are like Ferrari's and anyone under 30 can't possibly afford one or the insurance

I wouldn't say that's true at all.

I bought my Megane 250 brand new at 26 and was offered a test drive before I even asked.

However, finding a Clio 200T to test drive is pretty much impossible.

[DM525i]

Maybe Renault know that first impressions of the car are not great and as such are unwilling to easily provide test drives. Will they lose face and spec a manual in any revamp? I don't think so. Or will they develop a 3 door? It's an example of cars being engineered to provide marketing and sales departments something to talk about, not to mention keeping the EU happy on emissions. I'm probably being a bit cynical but it looks most performance car are going this way.

[redroadster]

Why is it so hard for Renault to improve the speed of the gear changes since this is the area of the car which does not seem to be ticking the box.