Renault Clio RS 200 2013 review

One of the perks of this job is getting to drive cars before anyone else. One of those is the blistering Renault Clio RS 200 EDC, the hot version of Renault's small hatch that's due here early next year.

VALUE

It's tempting to call the Clio a little firebrand. But it's a larger, more refined car than before and almost the size of a Golf. Australia is one of the largest markets for Renault Sport products. We love our sports models and with this in mind the local outfit has opted for the harder edged Cup edition.

Explore the 2013 Renault Clio range

• Renault Clio 2013 review: road test
• Renault Clio RS 200 2013 review
• Renault Clio Expression 2013 review
• Renault Clio 2013 review
• Renault Clio RS 200 2013 review: video

There's no word yet on how much the car will cost, apart from a pledge that it will be less than the current RS 200 that retails for $36,490.

TECHNOLOGY

The engine has been downsized. Power in the new RS comes from a 1.6-litre turbocharged four that develops 147kW of power and 240Nm of torque. A version of the same engine will power the new Nissan Pulsar SSS and it is hooked up to a six-speed twin clutch transmission that Renault calls EDC (Efficient Double Clutch). There is no manual.

The dash from 0-100km/h takes a rapid 6.7 seconds and the car has a top speed of 230km/h. The RS's most direct competitor is the Peugeot 208 GTi that delivers the same amount of power but considerably more torque at 275Nm. That's on paper.

Don't dismiss the RS because it's a cracker, with some lovely snack, crackle and pop from the exhaust and a transmission that blips the throttle on the downchange. Who needs a Ferrari? But in this segment it's all about the figures. In this context you might also like to look at the Polo GTI, Citroen DS3 and Opel Corsa OPC all of them cheaper.

DESIGN

The new RS combines benchmark dynamics with carefully optimised fuel consumption. You can say what you like about Renault, but one thing it sure knows how to do is build performance vehicles. The Megane RS 265 is a case in point, one of the finest handling fronties we've ever driven.

The design has been refined through racing, so you get a chassis that is a match for the increased performance of the drivetrain. Hell, this thing could take a lot more power without blinking and we look forward to special editions.

SAFETY

It gets 5 stars from Euro NCAP, even though it comes with only four airbags, how does that work?

DRIVING

You can't help but love this car. The purists will deplore the lack of a manual, but the EDC transmission is a thing of wonder. We had a short crack behind the wheel over some winding roads outside Paris earlier this year.

It was the first time anyone from Australia had driven the harder-edged Cup version on the road. There's two things you need to know. The change paddles are a lift from the Nissan GT-R and fixed to the steering column, so there's no chasing them around the wheel.

The second thing is the Renault Sport button that delivers various drive modes including a full track mode with everything off. Having driven the RS on the road we're looking forward to having a second crack on the track.

VERDICT

A worthy successor to the previous RS. It's larger, sleeker and easier to drive and is sure to hit the sweet spot with discerning drivers.