2006 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.