Ford Fiesta ST vs Renault Clio RS200
It's been the hot hatch grudge match of 2013; here's the PH verdict on Clio vs Fiesta
Ideally we would have had a 208 GTI in this test to cover all the bases, but reading some other reviews suggested it may have taken the bronze medal. But we hope to get hold of one in the UK imminently, just to be sure.
As for our two hot hatch protagonists, they were actually ideally specced. In all honesty, a bad Fiesta ST can't be ordered, as none of the available options fundamentally alters its vivacious character. Given Mountune's MP215 kit can be fitted and keep the Fiesta under the Clio's list price, it seemed appropriate to line-up the Mountuned car against the Clio. We'll come to the price issue in more depth later.
The Clio came to us Luxed and Cupped, the latter perhaps more relevant to this test than the £1,000 of climate control, folding mirrors and auto lights. The Cup pack brings 18-inch wheels on Dunlop Sport Maxx rubber, a 3mm drop in ride height and a 15 per cent increase in chassis stiffness.
Though we'll come to the commonalities and distinguishing features in more detail, it's interesting to note how fundamentally different the two approaches to building a hot hatch; the Ford is relatively simple, the Renault far more complex in its attempt to provide driving thrills. Read on to find out which is best.
Introduction and comments
Ford Fiesta ST
Renaultsport Clio 200 Turbo
Verdict
Engine: 1,596cc 4-cyl turbo
Power (hp): 215@6,000rpm*
Torque (lb ft): 236@3,000rpm*
Transmission: 6-speed manual, FWD
Top speed: 137mph
0-62mph: 6.4 secs (claimed)**
MPG: 47.9 (NEDC combined)
CO2: 139g/km
Price: £17,594
*Power and torque figures on overboost
**Claimed 0-62mph from Mountune. All other stats as the standard car
Engine: 1,618cc 4-cyl turbo
Transmission: 6-speed dual-clutch auto, FWD
Power (hp): 200@6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 177@1,750rpm
0-62mph: 6.7sec
Top speed: 143mph
Weight: 1,204kg
MPG: 44.8mpg (NEDC combined)
CO2: 144g/km
Price: £18,995
All prices before options
Photos: PrimeExposures
I know that the relentless quest for impressions means a single long page is probably too much to ask for, but surely you could make it just a little easier for us? Anyone who wants new tabs can easily trigger this themselves.
I know that the relentless quest for impressions means a single long page is probably too much to ask for, but surely you could make it just a little easier for us? Anyone who wants new tabs can easily trigger this themselves.
It's a production-based instinct from where we link to other articles that you might want to refer to but wouldn't necessarily want to leave the page you're on. And consistent too - any regular user of the site will know that clicking a link will, as a rule, open a new window/tab. And if you're referring to and fro personally I find it easier to have multiple tabs open.
I guess it's a case of personal browsing preferences and habits but the motivation for doing it this way is to get away from an off-putting wall of text and allow folk to navigate to the bits they want to read as and when they want.
As I say though, feedback always welcome.
Cheers,
Dan
It's a production-based instinct from where we link to other articles that you might want to refer to but wouldn't necessarily want to leave the page you're on. And consistent too - any regular user of the site will know that clicking a link will, as a rule, open a new window/tab. And if you're referring to and fro personally I find it easier to have multiple tabs open.
I guess it's a case of personal browsing preferences and habits but the motivation for doing it this way is to get away from an off-putting wall of text and allow folk to navigate to the bits they want to read as and when they want.
As I say though, feedback always welcome.
Cheers,
Dan
If you want to open in a new tab its ctrl + click which allows you to keep the original page open.
personal preference obviously.
It's a production-based instinct from where we link to other articles that you might want to refer to but wouldn't necessarily want to leave the page you're on. And consistent too - any regular user of the site will know that clicking a link will, as a rule, open a new window/tab. And if you're referring to and fro personally I find it easier to have multiple tabs open.
I guess it's a case of personal browsing preferences and habits but the motivation for doing it this way is to get away from an off-putting wall of text and allow folk to navigate to the bits they want to read as and when they want.
As I say though, feedback always welcome.
Cheers,
Dan
Good idea on the opening follwing page in the same tab, but not opening seperate windows such as classified links in the same tab.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff