R.I.P Renault Sport
Discussion
The Crack Fox said:
GTIAlex said:
RIP M Division
RIP AMG.
I'm sure Audi do some s
t like this, too.So no knock on sales of M Sports, S Lines and "AMG Line" cars and there may not be M, AMG and RS cars.
Although i would prefer the "AMG Line" A class didnt look quite so like our A45....
Edited by daemon on Tuesday 6th December 18:01
carinaman said:
HustleRussell said:
I can't see Renault running hydraulic lines aft to fore in the car so unless the steering is unassisted, I'd guess 'yes'.
Thanks. I hadn't thought of the practicalities of running hydraulic plumbing forward.I just saw the bit in the review that mentioned the steering feeling wasn't up to much.
ELUSIVEJIM said:
Butter Face said:
What a crap title 
It's a GT, the old Twingo GT was a 1.2 turbo with 100bhp, this has 110bhp, and better spec. It's a better car all round than the old GT.
Hate to drive the old one.It's a GT, the old Twingo GT was a 1.2 turbo with 100bhp, this has 110bhp, and better spec. It's a better car all round than the old GT.
Quote
The Twingo GT is the fastest and best-looking model in the range, but with a stiffer ride, a steeper asking price and very tame driving dynamics it struggles to make a strong case for itself.
To be fair to the OP. If we take the current RS Clio which at present I believe is the most up to date RS car in terms of when the chassis was developed then it's not really a great sign of what's to come. I really do hope it's just a blip in their otherwise glowing back catalogue. Although I read somewhere that the next RS megane will be getting the same pish gearbox.
Butter Face said:
Same criticisms, same answers.
Next?
Autocar weren't impressed eitherNext?
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/renault/twingo...
It may look interesting on paper, but the consensus seems to be that it fails to live up to its heritage (unless you consider that it's a Smart car).
Reviews of the new Megane have been less than complimentary about it's driving dynamics, so I think the OP has a fair point. If they don't pull their finger out with the next RS Megane, they will have gone from having three class leading driver's cars to three disappointments in one generation.
The new Alpine will be interesting - that will have to handle properly if it is to be a successful product.
The Twingo doesn't really have any 'heritage', the previous generation was the first to come to the UK and the only to have a 'sport' variant.
The car we are discussing is a GT (with some input from Renaultsport), NOT and RS model and should NOT be judged by that yardstick.
For reference, go and drive a previous generation GT and then an RS (of any model, Clio, Twingo or Megane) and you'll get it.
Yes it's a bit vague, because epas, it's not an outright race car for the road, it's a 5 door hatch with a small engine and a tiny turning circle. I'm not saying it's the last word in performance (and I'm not disagreeing with all that's said in the reviews either) but to judge this car as an RS models is wholly wrong and unfair.
As for the rest of the range, Renault have adapted to the market and what they actually sell. They have said themselves they have sold more Clio 4 RS (worldwide) than the previous generation. The new Megane is leaps and bounds above the old car in quality and astonishingly people are already judging the new Megane RS before it's even seen the light of day.
People should have a go in the new Megane GT, 4WS, snappy 7 speed box, fantastic interior and spec and it's NOT an RS either so the reviewers will all say 'it's good but the RS was/will be better etc etc etc'
The car we are discussing is a GT (with some input from Renaultsport), NOT and RS model and should NOT be judged by that yardstick.
For reference, go and drive a previous generation GT and then an RS (of any model, Clio, Twingo or Megane) and you'll get it.
Yes it's a bit vague, because epas, it's not an outright race car for the road, it's a 5 door hatch with a small engine and a tiny turning circle. I'm not saying it's the last word in performance (and I'm not disagreeing with all that's said in the reviews either) but to judge this car as an RS models is wholly wrong and unfair.
As for the rest of the range, Renault have adapted to the market and what they actually sell. They have said themselves they have sold more Clio 4 RS (worldwide) than the previous generation. The new Megane is leaps and bounds above the old car in quality and astonishingly people are already judging the new Megane RS before it's even seen the light of day.
People should have a go in the new Megane GT, 4WS, snappy 7 speed box, fantastic interior and spec and it's NOT an RS either so the reviewers will all say 'it's good but the RS was/will be better etc etc etc'
Edited by Butter Face on Wednesday 7th December 07:42
AT didn't like it either 
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/content/first-drives/2...
It does make you wonder what they will think of the auto only smart brabus
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/content/first-drives/2...
It does make you wonder what they will think of the auto only smart brabus
Butter Face said:
The car we are discussing is a GT (with some input from Renaultsport), NOT and RS model and should NOT be judged by that yardstick.
Then perhaps they shouldn't have mentioned "Renault Sport" fifteen times in the press pack?! This model will inevitably be judged by that yardstick.Butter Face said:
Yes it's a bit vague, because epas
..
I'm not saying it's the last word in performance (and I'm not disagreeing with all that's said in the reviews either) but to judge this car as an RS models is wholly wrong and unfair.
I'd agree that it would be unfair to expect the Twingo GT to have RS levels of performance, but I don't think it's unfair to expect it to be a fun steer. It's 2016. I don't think EPAS is an acceptable excuse for vague steering any more. The list of manufacturers to get it right is short, but it is possible, and I'd have expected better of a product with the following blurb in the press pack:..
I'm not saying it's the last word in performance (and I'm not disagreeing with all that's said in the reviews either) but to judge this car as an RS models is wholly wrong and unfair.
Press Pack said:
Twingo GT comes with variable ratio power-assisted steering, a first in the sports city car segment. Firm around the centre position, it has several characteristics depending on the speed and type of corner, combining steering precision and handling.
Bit unfair this really.
Despite personally liking the new 200T, i think it's fair to say that Renault definitely messed up royally on the MK4 RenaultSport Clio.
There's also the uncertainty of the new RenaultSport Megane that is soon to be released. It does look like they're going for a similar formula to the new Clio.
However, I'm sure Renault will learn from this and will be back on form in the future. Just like VW managed with the Golf GTI.
Don't loose hope just yet...
Despite personally liking the new 200T, i think it's fair to say that Renault definitely messed up royally on the MK4 RenaultSport Clio.
There's also the uncertainty of the new RenaultSport Megane that is soon to be released. It does look like they're going for a similar formula to the new Clio.
However, I'm sure Renault will learn from this and will be back on form in the future. Just like VW managed with the Golf GTI.
Don't loose hope just yet...
MorganP104 said:
daemon said:
Although i would prefer the "AMG Line" A class didnt look quite so like our A45....
Conversely, the chap with the de-badged A160 CDi AMG-Line is pleased as punch his car looks so much like the A45 AMG!RenaultSport may be in critical condition, but the new Alpine looks great!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piST1Gq1atk
I love the lines and think it looks very elegant compared to recent Porsches.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piST1Gq1atk
I love the lines and think it looks very elegant compared to recent Porsches.
Its a 110hp little hatch, and isnt a true RS model, looks fine to me! (the Clio GT has 120hp for reference)
If you want to get upset about anything, get upset about the fact you can spec a 90hp base model Clio with a GT-line pack, giving it nearly the same exterior as an RS (which is the same concept as all those S-Line, M-pack or AMG-pack german saloons, ST-line fords etc..)
If you want to get upset about anything, get upset about the fact you can spec a 90hp base model Clio with a GT-line pack, giving it nearly the same exterior as an RS (which is the same concept as all those S-Line, M-pack or AMG-pack german saloons, ST-line fords etc..)
nunpuncher said:
To be fair to the OP. If we take the current RS Clio which at present I believe is the most up to date RS car in terms of when the chassis was developed then it's not really a great sign of what's to come. I really do hope it's just a blip in their otherwise glowing back catalogue. Although I read somewhere that the next RS megane will be getting the same pish gearbox.
Finally someone gets the point of the title.It is not just about the Twingo GT. It is about Renault Sport helping out with the Twingo and not exactly doing a great job.
As far as the Clio and forthcoming Megane RS models it is looking like Renault have learned nothing regarding the issues with the Clio.
I concur that the new Alpine looks the part but time will tell if it hits the mark.
Thing is this is the GT model, of which my mum had the previous shape. That was a 1.2 turbo with 100bhp and about the same weight, albeit FWD and that was a good laugh. Great on fuel too.
That's what this version is albeit it like a few other GT models they've put the RenaultSport badge on it as they probably had a hand in it. I suspect this car will be a good laugh in much the same way as the previous GT was. RenaultSport stated from the beginning that the Twingo III would never be made into an official RS model unlike the previous 133 models.
I think for us Petrolheads the Clio 200T was only tarnished by an iffy semi-auto box. I didn't see an issue with it having four doors and actually think in the right colour they look pretty good. I was rather taken with the Trophy version too. I just think us lot liked the idea of the manual box so it could be like a newer version of the 172/182/200! Am I right in understanding that it was generally more popular than the previous models in terms of sales?
I still think RenaultSport are up there in terms of their ability to make an epic hot hatch. I also think that other manufacturers have also upped their game massively so cars such as the new RS Megane have some rivals to really live up to compared to 5-10 years ago when they didn't. I mean the Megane 225 only really had the Focus ST and Astra VXR where as no you have the new Type-R, Golf-R, Leon Cupra-R all being highly revered (rightly so) plus the A45 and
Thing is hot hatches used to be light and nippy, not silly fast but cheap, fun and quick for what they were. Now we're seeing cars that are expensive and have pretty mental performance. I think cars like the Twingo 133 and even the current Fiesta ST are more true hot hatches in my eyes. Perhaps RenaultSport should keep that in mind!
That's what this version is albeit it like a few other GT models they've put the RenaultSport badge on it as they probably had a hand in it. I suspect this car will be a good laugh in much the same way as the previous GT was. RenaultSport stated from the beginning that the Twingo III would never be made into an official RS model unlike the previous 133 models.
I think for us Petrolheads the Clio 200T was only tarnished by an iffy semi-auto box. I didn't see an issue with it having four doors and actually think in the right colour they look pretty good. I was rather taken with the Trophy version too. I just think us lot liked the idea of the manual box so it could be like a newer version of the 172/182/200! Am I right in understanding that it was generally more popular than the previous models in terms of sales?
I still think RenaultSport are up there in terms of their ability to make an epic hot hatch. I also think that other manufacturers have also upped their game massively so cars such as the new RS Megane have some rivals to really live up to compared to 5-10 years ago when they didn't. I mean the Megane 225 only really had the Focus ST and Astra VXR where as no you have the new Type-R, Golf-R, Leon Cupra-R all being highly revered (rightly so) plus the A45 and
Thing is hot hatches used to be light and nippy, not silly fast but cheap, fun and quick for what they were. Now we're seeing cars that are expensive and have pretty mental performance. I think cars like the Twingo 133 and even the current Fiesta ST are more true hot hatches in my eyes. Perhaps RenaultSport should keep that in mind!
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