2005 Renault Clio Reviews

Carsguide picks the best new and used performance cars for your money right now. As this month draws to a close, the new-car focus is on bargain buying but there are other segments with a quite healthy sales pulse, showing that Australians still like -- no, love -- cars that go.When Volvo decided to get serious about a Polestar performance push it chose Australia as the launching pad. Its Polestar S60 is already winning in V8 Supercar racing and the road-going version, after an early update and a recent price cut for Australia, is about to be rolled out around the world.The local brands are also doing great business, as Holden keeps cranking its SS Commodores, HSV does the top- end thing with the best Holden of all time, and Ford has a sellout success with its final GT 351 Falcon. Holden says its go-faster cars — the SS, SS-V and Redline — currently draw 23 per cent of buyers and a whacking 37 per cent of VF Commodore buyers want a V8 under the bonnet.But European companies such as Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and even Renault are converting this need for speed, as much as you can in 2014, into driving enjoyment and hot rod hero cars for Australian drivers.There is a waiting list at BMW dealerships for the impressive new M3 and M4 we have just tested in Europe, and Audi has never had more S and RS models, but the showroom support for Renault Sport RS and Mercedes-AMG has made them much more than just spin-off divisions.In fact, RS and AMG cars are more likely to get buyers excited than any of the regular Renault or Benz machines. "Motorsport is at the heart of Renault's DNA and the Renault Sport brand enables us to transfer this racing pedigree to our passenger vehicles." In 2013, Australia was the second highest selling country in the world for the Megane RS 265," says Renault Australia spokeswoman Emilie Fadeyev. "The Renault Sport brand was first seen in Australia with the second-generation Clio RS introduced in 2001," she says. "Today, with the expansion of the Renault Sport range and the growing popularity within the Australian market, Renault Sport represents approximately 14 per cent of our total sales." The story is similar at Mercedes-Benz, where AMG is a sales winner for Australia. "We are consistently in the top five worldwide for penetration and, 2013, Australia-New Zealand was No. 1 worldwide," says Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesman David McCarthy. "So far this year, AMG models account for about 9 per cent of sales locally, which is a new high. Total demand continues to outstrip supply." HOLDEN COMMODORE SS - From $42,490 Rating: 4/5 Engine: 6.0-litre V8, 270kW/530Nm Transmission: 6-speed man/auto; RWD Thirst: 12.3L/100km The V8-powered Holden hero is a long-term favourite in Australia and has never been better for quality, comfort or driving enjoyment. It's also a relative bargain and taps everything from links to V8 Supercar racing to Holden's history as the country's favourite brand. MERCEDES-BENZ A45 AMG - From $74,900 Rating: 4/5 Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo, 265kW/450Nm Transmission: 7-speed auto; AWDThirst: 6.9L/100km The only thing against the A45 is the price. It's a genuine pocket rocket that was developed by AMG, one of the world's most sophisticated and experience hot-shops. It runs against the grain with all-wheel drive and turbo engine but is a rorty little funster. RENAULT CLIO RS 200 - From $29,290 Rating: 4/5 Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo, 147kW/240Nm Transmission: 6-speed dual-clutch man; FWD Thirst: 6.3L/100km When people think of Renault Sport they usually think of the Megane, but it's the Clio that sets the new standard for fun. It's a car that's sharply focused, tweaked with the right sort of go-faster gear and is affordable for anyone who craves a car that's more than just an econobox.SECOND HAND: BMW M3 It's not gone yet, but the arrival of a new twin-turbo, six-cylinder M3 means the outgoing V8-powered car is going to become a classic. The new car is set to be an M3 landmark — the same goes for the M4 coupe — but there is still something special about a luxury compact with a thumping V8 in the nose.There are already people snapping up the last of the superseded M5 sedans with a V10, not the new-age turbo V8, and we're expecting the same thing for the M3 V8. It's a car that has incredible charisma and packs the one thing that every homegrown Aussie muscle car since the 1980s has been built around: a V8 with a rumbling exhaust note and a smile-making combination of power and torque.

Ewan Kennedy reviews the first, second, third and fourth generation Renault Clio as a used buy.

Something half the size and weight is going to be a much more entertaining proposition especially when it's blessed with a potent 2.0-litre engine generating 131kW/200Nm output.It also consumes considerably less juice.Renault's Clio Sport Cup is such a car, and it's an absolute hoot to drive – much more fun than something like a Holden Commodore SS which has twice the power but is almost twice the weight.The Clio Cup is a supplementary model to the Clio Sport – with stiffer suspension, a lower ride height and different alloy wheels. Cup is a more engaging drive as a result, gripping the road like the proverbial slot car and conveying plenty of information about the road back to the driver.The Cup model costs about $35,000 which is a fair old ask for such a small car but it has a big heart. Acceleration in a straight line is extremely rapid giving the Cup a David and Goliath status when stacked up against a big, high-powered, heavy hitter.Come to some tight corners and it's "bye for now."The Cup is a three door hatchback with a rigid chassis, a wheel at each corner, wide stance and massive brakes – the ideal cornering combo.The idea is to point it at a set of switchbacks, snick it into gear and fire it up for a most satisfactory driving experience. A car like this is inherently safer than a mere hatchback econobox due to its dexterity, reponsiveness and high quality components such as the Michelin tyres and sophisticated electronic controls that include ABS and electronic stability program (ESP).It also looks, feels and sounds the business.Those twin, wide spaced exhaust tips growl a stirring note, the low ride height looks like a hunkered down athlete and the dark wheels give a slightly sinister appearance to the little Cup.Inside is compact but funky with a splash of metallic fascia and trims, sports seats climate control and multi textured upholstery. The audio is average but the pedals are proper drilled items and the stering wheel has a number of controls arranged around it per- imeter.It uses a negligible amount of fuel when used sparingly, appreciably more when the wick is turned up. The engine is a non-turbo, 2.0-litre twin cam with variable intake cam timing. It has impressive performance across a broad engine speed range.Safety eqyuipment includes four air bags and auto on xenon headlights. The wipers also have an auto function. 

The Cup is a car that boasts impressive stability, response and feel. Its firm and low suspension gives it handling capabilities like a go-kart but is still comfortable on the road.That go-kart feel is enhanced by the Clio's design of positioning the wheels as close to the corners as possible.Comfort is a feature highlighted by the firm suspension, which is something usually punishing on the driver.While every bump is felt (because of the hard suspension and low-profile tyres), the impact on the body is minimal. That is not to say there is anything soft about this car.The spring rate in the Cup has been increased by 20 per cent, with matching damper settings providing for even more incisive behaviour.The leather-trimmed, front-bucket seats have plenty of side support to stop you moving around when cornering hard. These are seats you sit in, not on.Finding a good driving position is also easier than anticipated. When first driven, the Cup's slightly odd-angled steering wheel felt a little uncomfortable. Yet, when the best driving position was found, everything seemed to fall into place.The clutch is light and does not require a lot of force like some high-powered hatches, and the five-speed box, was a throw into gear. This little Cup is one of the most comfortable sporty hatches encountered.The Cup has the same engine as its lesser-priced sibling, the Clio Sport, but gets firmer suspension, charcoal-coloured wheels and lower-ride height for the extra $2000.The Cup's engine is a cracker pumping out an impressive 131kW/200Nm from the naturally aspirated 2.0-litre.Get the right foot down and the Clio responds with the twin exhausts barking out a noticeably sporty note. The 2.0-litre twin cam loves to spin and howls near the 7000rpm redline. The Cup's impressive power to weight ratio sees the 0-100kmh sprint covered in just seven seconds.The five-speed is short geared to the point where you might be looking for another cog, such as on the freeway where for fuel conservation and a little less noise the extra cog would be handy. However despite running on premium unleaded the Cup still gets about 500km-550km out of a tank.Standard equipment includes climate control, automatic xenon head-lights, rain sensitive wipers, leather upholstery, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, height and recline adjustment on the front head restraints and leather steering wheel.There's a six-speaker AM/FM stereo with single CD, cruise control, audio controls mounted on the steering column and a chilled glove box.The Cup is near the top of the tree for crash safety. Four airbags, an electronic stability program and ABS are all part of Renault's commitment to keeping its owners alive and coming back for more. It also has an anti-hijack mechanism where the doors lock automatically at a preset speed.The front drink holders are a little awkward because they are positioned below the centre dash and a bottle of water is not easy to fit, but the rear holders are big enough.The size of the boot is good with none of the weekly shopping having to ride shotgun.The Clio does not have a spare tyre for weight and space reasons, instead using filler to limp the car on the existing tyre to the nearest service station or dealer. That's great in theory but not so good if you happen to have destroyed the rubber on the rim.

The Sport Cup model can only be distinguished from the Sport by the charcoal-coloured alloy wheels, which betray the Cup car's intent as well as proficiently hiding the brake pad dust.The Sport is no shopping trolley, so when spring rates are stiffened by 20 per cent up front and 15 per cent at the rear, and the steering is tweaked even further, something special awaits in the Cup version.Settled behind the leather-wrapped wheel and testing my broad feet on the close-set alloy pedals, the specs ran through my mind – Renault says 131kW of power, 200Nm of torque, 1009kg and 0-100km/h in 7.1 seconds.Big brakes are nestled beneath the 16in alloys – 160km/h to standstill in just over three seconds is another claim by the manufacturer. The brattish stance, a wheel at each corner and the twin exhausts ready to poke double-barrelled fun at those you've just overtaken ... this car could be fun.It's firm on the road, with every misaligned manhole cover causing a sharp bump in the cabin, although bigger bumps tend to be better dealt with by the dampers.The seats will take some of the sting from the sharper jolts, as well as holding the occupants firmly in place.An ill-timed sneeze requires maximum steering concentration, as the rack is quick and sharp – 2.8 turns lock-to-lock, a trait that had obvious benefits once the country-road corners came into view. The two-litre engine is happy to potter through the suburbs, proving flexible and well-behaved, with just a hint of what was to come beyond 3800rpm.As the revs rise to the top half of the tachometer, the engine's character changes dramatically and the corners arrive much quicker.As the upshift light burns green at 8000rpm, the aural delights of the engine are well apparent, as is the potency of its outputs.The first corners are taken easily, as the initial efforts on the brake pedal wipe off far more speed than originally intended or required.The suspension has been significantly upgraded – not that previous Clios were sloppy handlers – with stiffened spring rates, a 24mm rear anti-roll bar (up from 22mm), all reducing roll and planting the special Michelin rubber on the road to great effect.The Renault Sport Clio 182 is the first car to be equipped with the Michelin Exalto tyre, no doubt because it was developed by Michelin in conjunction with Renault Sport.The result? It's like driving a go-kart with a roof.Minimal bodyshift, a distinct lack of fuss from the tyres and an attitude that thumbs its nose at the driver, who is taunted to try a little harder.Hard late braking, savage use of the wheel and the accelerator can start the Clio moving around, but the speeds at which this happens are best left to a racetrack.Winding back the pace a little does nothing to diminish the enjoyment, as the Clio darts from corner to corner, dismissing them with an arrogance that flies in the face of its sub-$40,000 price tag. There's no all-wheel-drive, no turbos and the driven wheels are at the opposite end of the car to which I would normally prefer, but handing the keys back is a tough experience.Commuting can be a tiresome experience on the hard suspension, but this little French flyer is anything but a bare-bones track-day special – a cruise control with a speed limiter function is now standard, as is a six-speaker CD-equipped sound system (with stalk-mounted remote controls behind the wheel), climate-controlled airconditioning, automatic xenon headlights and rain-sensing front wipers. Anti-lock brakes, electronic brake distribution control, switchable electronic stability control, driver and front passenger front and side airbags, and front and outboard rear seatbelt pretensioners with load limiters are all standard.The standard Renault Sport Clio 182 carries a $32,990 starting price, with the Cup adding $1500 to the bottom line.Opting for either Clio Sport model will provide an immensely entertaining package. Cup buyers might not want to engage in the daily mundane commute, but they will jump at any chance to go for a drive.

The Renault Sport Clio is one of the surprisingly capable entrants in the performance market that is set to rejuvenate the hot-hatch title.It, together with its turbocharged Megane 225 sister, will mount a strong challenge against traditional sports-oriented rivals from Japan.Despite the Clio's benign appearance, the injection of a bigger 124kW 2-litre engine – up from 72kW 1.4-litres – is sufficient to make it quick off the mark.But that's only half the story.All that power driving through the front wheels theoretically makes this a handful through the bends and on wet roads. Not so Thanks to excellent suspension design, a rigid body, grippy tyres and a light weight of 1035kg, the Clio is an extremely quick machine through the corners.It also boasts strong brakes and pin-sharp steering – all the hallmarks of a hot hatch – and is a delight to drive in the city.But it's not what I'd call cheap. At $32,990 it's getting up there in price, even though it comes with electric windows, airconditioning, alloys, ABS and other good gear.I guess you'd also have to be something of a fan of European cars because they tend to require a dedicated owner who can put up with the odd foible. The same applies to big sister Megane 225.This is also a product of Renault's performance arm, Renault Sport, and is aimed at the serious driver who wants something a bit different.Based on the standard Megane sedan, the 225 – which indicates its horsepower and equates to 165kW – comes with a host of go-faster mods and superb handling in the same vein as the Clio.Unlike the standard Megane range, the 225 is made at Renault Sport Technologies' factory in Dieppe, which gives an indication to how serious Renault is about producing a capable machine.Above the normal Megane five-door, the hot version gets as standard fare a bigger front air-intake, a wider stance, lower suspension, twin exhausts, Brembo brakes and 17-inch alloys.Inside are leather seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, alloy pedals and orange seatbelts. The Clio comes with silver belts.The car also gets climate-control airconditioning, electric everything, six airbags, stability control and cruise control – in fact, it's dressed up as an executive express.It's also not inexpensive at $42,990, though its pretty much on par with the Subaru WRX – except for the all-wheel-drive – in price and power.It will run hard to 100km/h in a 6.5 second time – and that's pretty quick for a big family hatch.The 225 is also a very flexible machine thanks to strong low-speed torque, which also makes it a doddle in the city.Both these Renaults are definitely worth a closer look.

It's just the ticket ... or not ... after all, that's the whole point.So much oomph in Renault's Clio Sport 182 Cup but so few places to use it. Legally, anyway.There's a whole lot of engine (two-litre, 16-valve) packed into a tiny terrier and it's soooo easy to speed. But set the cruise control to the right mode and all your worries are gone.The car just won't go over what ever speed you punch in – except in the case of an emergency.(Can they adapt this gizmo to children?)The features don't stop there, though ... a "five-speed gear box, ventilated discs up front with ABS, electronic brake distribution and traction control with ESP" (everyone needs a bit of that) top the list.Translation: Road grip is great, corners are not scary or hairy and if you're travelling up Willunga Hill in fifth gear, you'll still be accelerating.Now here's one to really grab you (pardon the pun) ... an anti-hijacking precaution. The doors lock automatically when you accelerate away from the kerb.The Clio Sport may be small but it's big on image and impact. Start with the lowered suspension, twin exhausts, leather seats, drilled alloy pedals and unique "charcoal" finish alloy wheels. Some think they look dirty. I say "gritty" and they add to that "bad boy" image ... even if it's just a little bad boy.The Clio is perfect for young yuppies with no puppies. Two-door cars, like this one, are not child (or friend) friendly and the lack of windows in the back gives the young guys a perfect opportunity to complain.Things are pretty squeezy in the back seat and the stiffer sports suspension makes for a harder ride; 14-year-olds don't like bumping their heads on the roof. But with just two people, you're in hot-hatch heaven.All the effort seems to have been put into the front compartment. It looks great for starters – all black and chrome with leather, and Alcantara trim, a groovy dash and idiot-proof stereo and climate controls.And these are seats you sit in, not on. And the all-important question? Drink holders?Those in the front are a bit awkward, tucked in below the centre dash, but the rear side-panel mounted holders, big enough for bottles of water, make up for them.LOVE IT LEAVE ITRenault Clio Sport 182 Cup LOVE ITGreat size. Easy to park. Wheel-mounted radio controls save searching for small dash buttons. The oh-so-cool wipers with an action mimicking a dance step Michael Jackson would envy.LEAVE ITIndicator and wiper controls are hard to see. No windows in the back.