French polish
The Age
Friday April 2, 2010
Corners become high theatre in this little flyer that puts the fun back in functional, writes JEZ SPINKS. IT'S designed to build image, not volume. If Renault's struggles for big sales continue in Australia, its Sport Clio hot-hatch has, at least for the past decade, helped to keep the French brand a feature on the shopping lists of this country's motoring enthusiasts.The latest version in the renowned lineage is called the 200, with the number again representing the car's metric horsepower. Convert this into kilowatts and the new RS Clio has increased its power output marginally, up from the 197's 145kW to 147.5kW.Nothing to get too excited about then, though it should be pointed out Renault is still extracting this amount of power from a 2.0-litre four-cylinder that relies only on the air sucked through its grille rather than forced induction. And yet it's only 7.5kW shy of the turbocharged Golf GTI.Other incremental improvements include better fuel use (from 8.4 litres per 100 kilometres to 8.2L/100km), improved driveability (still 215Nm, though low-rev torque has improved by 20 per cent), slightly quicker steering and fractionally improved aerodynamics.Pricing improves from $37,990 to $36,490 plus on-road and dealer costs. Although the latter was the original cost for the 197 when it arrived only 18 months ago, the entry-level RS Clio 200 is a higher-specified Cup version that brings more equipment, lower ride height and stiffer springs and dampers.The 200 also looks better than its predecessor, courtesy of a front end that gains a formula one-inspired "aero blade", new-look alloy wheels and a rear end that introduces a more conspicuous rear diffuser complete with enlarged dual exhaust pipes.Renault says the 200 accelerates no quicker than the 197 (0-100 in 6.9 seconds) despite changes that also included shortening the first three gears of the six-speed manual. But it's fair to ask whether anyone should care when a car handles as brilliantly as the RS Clio.Sandown Raceway, the venue for the 200's local launch, features two long straights that are merely intermissions to the theatre that's guaranteed by the series of corners that join them at each end.The 200's sharp turn-in and balletic talent make cornering thoroughly addictive and almost hilarious, given the 1200-kilogram Clio's ability to balance on three, even two, wheels as it bounces off Sandown's high kerbing.Renault's baby front-drive hot-hatch will want to push wide (understeer) if you carry too much speed into a corner but the nose responds immediately to throttle pedal movements. Lift off slightly and the Clio tightens its line.Perfectly weighted controls - from the drilled aluminium pedals to the leather-bound steering wheel - carry over from the 197 to ensure the driver feels in synch with the car.The brakes are worth highlighting for their consistency and progressiveness, though the lack of a road loop during the launch means we'll have to wait to see whether the firmer Cup suspension would be harder to live with daily than the generally comfortable 197 underpinnings.Little time was needed inside the RS Clio to notice that the cabin is rather austere.The equipment list is far from sparse, though, with one-touch electric windows, climate control, Bluetooth, auto headlights, cruise control, fog lights, heated side mirrors, leather steering wheel, aluminium pedals, 17-inch alloys, trip computer, eight airbags and switchable stability control.Renault Australia says it expects most of the anticipated 150-200 RS Clio 200 buyers will upgrade to the $38,490 Trophee model, which adds key standard features including Recaro sports seats, different alloys, faux carbon-fibre trim and keyless engine start.There should also be plenty of anticipation for Renault Sport's Golf GTI rival, the Megane RS 250, due in August. Because if Renault is still waiting to become a serious player in the local market, there's no doubt it knows how to bring fun to the hot-hatch segment.For more on the Renault Sport Clio200 Cup, go to drive.com.au/renault
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