FINALLY, a latest generation hot hatch that allows the driver to sit low enough to feel involved in the dynamics of the car. And what dynamics they are.
Although we missed out on the generation one Renault Clio and, in turn, its sport versions, it hasn’t taken the South African public, and this magazine, long to appreciate that, when this French car maker places a Sport badge on the back of one of its cars, it means it in every sense of the word. Clio 2 Sport was La Bombe. And now Clio 3 takes things measurably further…
Being gently hugged by a well-bolstered driver’s seat, it is impossible not to have a sense of getting down to business, even before the ignition key is turned in the latest Renault Clio Sport. The first thing to observe is the red stitching around the top of the upholstered steering wheel rim, indicating “this way up”.
Next, another splash of red in the driver’s eye-line indicates the revised 7 500 r/min redline on the rev counter, and the sparkle of the aluminium racing pedals positioned in the footwell hints at some serious intention.
Then there is the tall gearlever, numbered to six, positioned within easy reach of the left hand. Obvious family links to the more modest Clio models are retained in the new flagship too, including the convenient and easy to use audio stalk positioned to the right of the steering column, and the simple and neat climate control functions, with the whole cabin feeling well put together and of high quality. It seems a pity that the thick steering wheel is only adjustable for height but, despite this, it didn’t take long for any of our testers to find a comfortable driving position in preparation for turning the key.
That key brings to life a naturally aspirated, twin-cam, 16- valve 2,0-litre engine that offers 145 kW at 7 250 r/min. This, together with a maximum 215 N.m of torque available at 5 500 r/min, endows the lighter three-door Clio with an impressive power-to-weight ratio of 117 W/kg, and allows this new hatch to play with the big boys. We were able to record a fastest 0-100 km/h time of 7,8 seconds with our test unit, and went on to complete the kilometre in 28,53 seconds. A top speed of 215 km/h was also achieved on the day. But all of this is straight-line stuff and, even though the figures are impressive, it is on the not so straight bits where the latest Renault Clio Sport really comes into its own. It’s in the twisties that you really see the sheer honesty behind those subtle interior “performance pointers”, as well as the not-so-subtle ones on the outside …
Besides the bright blue paintwork on our test car, which had the slightly older members of our test crew recalling fond memories of R8 Gordinis of the early ’60s, the Clio Sport poses low and squat on its wider (48 mm at the front and 50 mm at the rear) haunches.
This is, in part, thanks to flared wheelarches, filled with good-looking, 12-spoke alloy rims hosting specially developed 215/45 R17 Continental tyres, and also a 10 mm longer wheelbase, but also due to some under-the-skin changes that make this Clio handle like no other.
The Mégane Sport-sourced suspension has been lowered by 12 mm, and the rear of the car is sucked to the earth by an impressive looking, Formula One developed, diffuser. This moulded section also acts as an amplifier for the two integrated exhaust tailpipes. More F1 technology was used in the design Red stitching around the top of the steering wheel, indicating “this way up” of the extractor vents positioned behind the front wheelarches, which reduce turbulence and add to the car’s improved aerodynamics – although, even if they didn’t do anything, they would still look great.
But they do work, and so does the whole package. This is a seriously quick little motorcar whose limits seemed elusive during our test. That tall gearlever shifts effortlessly through its gate, and thanks to plenty of available power, especially towards the high end of the rev band, the driver is able to stay in each gear for extended periods of time. Even fifth gear impressed with its pulling potential, while sixth gear restored some sanity.
Traction control is fitted, which can be switched out, but it was so rarely called upon to intervene that we simply left it engaged as a safety net. Although electric power steering is not to everyone’s liking, this Clio boasts one of the best examples that we have come across to date. Steering is light and extremely precise, while communication from the front wheels is not lost in translation.
With the front wheels pointed at the apex of the corner, the car balances near-perfectly on all fours, and awaits a smooth surge of power to exit. On the edge, slight understeer can be sensed early through the bottom of the driver’s seat, and easily corrected.
ABS, with EBD, keeps a watchful eye over 312 mm ventilated disc brakes up front and 300 mm solid discs at the rear. The calipers display the word “Brembo”, and they do not let their manufacturer’s world famous reputation down. There is lots of feel through the brake pedal, and our average 100 km/h to standstill time of 2,9 seconds borders on the “excellent” classification.
