Clio Renaultsport 220 Trophy: Driven
The hallowed Trophy badge returns to the Clio, but is it another Renault hot hatch legend?
A fast Clio that looks it - yes!
The spec of the Trophy certainly hints at some significant improvements. No trick components this time, but a lower, stiffer, faster and more responsive fast Clio would seem just the thing to answer the keyboard critics. And the Fiesta ST for that matter...
Swing low
The Trophy gets off to a great start by the way it looks. That drop in ride height (20mm at the front, 10mm at the back) combined with larger 18-inch wheels gives it a much more confident, assertive stance and the Trophy add ons are largely successful. The name probably doesn't need to be emblazoned across the bumper though.
New 18-inch wheels and Michelin Super Sports
It feels quick enough as well, the combination of those gear ratios, a tad more power and some aural drama doing wonders for the Clio's speed, both perceived and actual. It's a more engaging engine to use than before too, with some whooshes, pops and bangs redolent of the Megane much more noticeable. It will never be remembered as one of the great hot hatch engines in a way the old 2.0-litre will but certainly it's a step in the right direction.
Rear 10mm lower with springs 40 per cent stiffer
Megane similarities are evident elsewhere too, which is mostly a good thing. With firmer dampers and 40 per cent stiffer rear springs that almost languid gait of the standard 200 is gone, replaced by a surprising level of tautness. It's not Fiesta ST stiff and the damping has the quality and resolve we would expect from Renaultsport, but the standard car's comfort has been compromised. The pay-off though is a Renaultsport Clio that just feels naughtier than before; more alive, more agile and more willing to entertain.
A 10 per cent reduction in steering rack ratio and Michelin Pilot Super Sports - in place of Dunlop Sport Maxxes on a Cup-spec 200 - give the Trophy more conviction on turn-in. Understeer can be trimmed accurately with a closed throttle and being bolder will see the Trophy shakin' its ass (wrong Renault but you get the point) as you please. The key is that while the standard car would do this it required a great deal of effort; the Trophy, encouragingly, feels much happier playing to your childish side.
As much fun as a Fiesta? The Clio still lacks the Ford frenetic nature but the noticeable gains in enjoyment and speed would make a twin-test far closer than previously. The superb Peugeot 208 GTI 30th can not be discounted either. What's happy to report is that a comparison would now feel like a genuine three-way encounter in a way it never has previously.
Good enough for hot hatch, er, trophy?
Having said that, the Clio does still have a few issues that hold it back. The first is, despite the marked improvement, that gearbox. Renault describes the Trophy as a car "unashamedly targeted at track day enthusiasts", yet it won't even offer them a manual gearbox? Even when there is a good one utilised in the mechanically very similar Juke? That the Trophy feels more like a traditional Renaultsport product in the way it drives make the missing gear stick all the more frustrating. So here's an idea: the manual as the cost option. It doesn't offend the existing customers and it may well draw back a few purists. Controversial perhaps, but at least it would ensure the choice is there.
Finally, while speaking of cost, the Clio's price may hold it back. Its basic list of £21,780 doesn't look that unreasonable in the context of the Peugeot (ignore the £25K as tested price; £3K is seats and paint) but that pesky Ford does make it look pricey. A top-of-the-range ST3 with the Mountune upgrade is still £1,500 less than the Renault. Hmm. Perhaps that's an unfair point to end on given the Trophy's considerable and tangible improvements over the standard 200 but it's a significant one. We'll hope to establish how close the two are, and whether that premium can be justified, in a comparison soon. For now though let's be content that there's a fast Clio worthy of the Renaultsport badge again!
CLIO RENAULTSPORT 220 TROPHY EDC
Engine: 1,618cc 4-cyl turbo
Transmission: 6-speed dual-clutch auto, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 220@6,050rpm
Torque (lb ft):207@2,000rpm
0-62mph: 6.6sec
Top speed: 146mph
Weight: 1,204kg
MPG: 47.9mpg (NEDC combined)
CO2: 135g/km
Price: £21,780 [£24,975 as tested comprising of £1,600 for Trophy branded, high-backed, heated front seats in Renaultsport dark-carbon leather upholstery, £1,300 for Renault i.d matt paint, Frost White (with gloss black roof and rear spoiler) and £295 for Renaultsport Monitor v2]
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[Photos: Ben Lowden]
A manual gearbox as a cost option would be an interesting idea but I doubt many people would specify it. It seems to me that the market for this class of hot hatch is rapidly following the bigger cars down the "fast is more important than fun" route. Traditionally Renault have been very good at avoiding that temptation but it seems those days are gone.
Here's hoping for an RS Twingo which is targeted more at having fun at lowish speeds.
However, the Fiesta ST is everywhere, even my girlfriend has one, she loves it. Renault have dropped the ball with this one IMO.
king horrid inside and out.
You have to feel for Renault here. They are seemingly losing market share to more refined, more “technology driven” brands, so they have moved the product to try and compete and in doing so, have lost the one thing they were good at.
You also have to question the pricing. I’m not sure Renault have built up their reliability reputation in the UK enough to be able to charge more than Ford.
The next generation megane rs will be the same ! They won't listen and that won't have a manual box either
It won't even be on my radar if that's the case but hey ho you keep up the good work and undo all that reputation
You have built up ! you no the only morsel people liked about Renault rs products is the the way they drive that special feeling that no one else offerd, lose that and you lose the rs customers IMO, then your back to just selling to young girls and mums, the rest will run for the Honda and ford hills for there slice of hot hatch thrills
I do like it, I think the reasons for it not selling are price and lack of decent deals. I think a lot of the Fiesta ST's you see about are on one of the silly cheap leases.
If I was buying a new one I'd quite like the gearbox, it'd only come a concern to me buying used and out of warranty.
Need to put skinny bucket seats on it and Jap 16 inch forged wheels and remove the air con and put the battery in the boot
The main thing it seems they sorted out the gearbox. Which is not as easy to fix as the things I suggested above.
I think this is a proper hot hatch again ready for owners to take it to the next level.
I think this is a proper hot hatch again ready for owners to take it to the next level.
I can accept maybe the bigger 'hyper-hatches' having DSG/auto gearboxes. But a little hot hatch needs sharp steering, great handling and a manual gearbox IMO.
"It will never be remembered as one of the great hot hatch engines in a way the old 2.0-litre will but certainly it's a step in the right direction."
Then it just got worse from that point on.
Oh well, I'll hang on to the 182 for a while yet then
I think this is a proper hot hatch again ready for owners to take it to the next level.
I can accept maybe the bigger 'hyper-hatches' having DSG/auto gearboxes. But a little hot hatch needs sharp steering, great handling and a manual gearbox IMO.
This is 2015.
I think this is a proper hot hatch again ready for owners to take it to the next level.
I can accept maybe the bigger 'hyper-hatches' having DSG/auto gearboxes. But a little hot hatch needs sharp steering, great handling and a manual gearbox IMO.
This is 2015.
I genuinely believe this platform is the last Clio Renaultsport we will see in the UK.
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