Hatchback Reviews

Graham Smith road tests and reviews the used 2009-2011 Mazda 3 SP25.

Renault's Clio keeps breeding. Initially launching with either a manual-only three cylinder base model or a range of six-speed EDC 1.2-litre turbos, the range has since expanded twice. Late last year was the excellent Clio RenaultSport 200 and now, in what must be the final shot, comes the Renault Clio GT.The GT is meant to be a halfway house between the standard 1.2 Clio's ride and handling package and the harder-core RS. It also has a more generous spec level than the other four cylinder offerings and with the price to match.STYLINGThe GT is set apart from its lesser 1.2 brethren with 17-inch wheels, a lower stance and some stripes and badges. The GT badges actually look pretty cool, almost as cool as the RS badges on the 200.The GT also gets its own bumper design with wide LED strips as daytime running lights, twin chrome-tipped exhaust and satin grey "blades" along the lower half of the doors. There's also a GT-exclusive colour, Malta Blue.The GT Premium replaces the standard rear spoiler with the larger RenaultSport spoiler. It's not a shouty look.Inside is standard Clio, but with the larger screen and therefore a rearranged centre stack. There are a few GT badges scattered around and stitched into the front headrests. The Clio's interior is attractive if a bit tight – the front seats do feel squeezed in between the doors and narrow centre console.VALUEThe GT comes in two flavours – GT and GT Premium. The GT kicks off at $25,290 with the Premium weighing in at $28,790.The base car is well-equipped, similar to the Dynamique specification of non-GTs. Auto headlights, auto wipers, adjustable headlights, rear parkings sensors, keyless entry and start, paddle shifters, climate control, cruise control with speed limiter, bluetooth, USB, power windows all round along a very comfortable pair of GT front seats.The jump to Premium adds satin grey leather trim, a huge section of the roof is replaced with glass with a retractable perforated blind, and the infotainment system is upgraded to the RS-Link, from fast brother Clio RS and even faster cousin, the RenaultSport Megane.SAFETYFive star safety is provided by four airbags, pretensioned front seatbelts, three-point belts for all passengers, two IsoFix points, ABS, brake assist, brake force distribution, stability control and hill start assist.INFOTAINMENTBoth versions sport a 7-inch screen, with the Premium picking up R-Link. Both have Bluetooth, USB and sat-nav. The standard car's four speakers are increased to six in the Premium by way of a pair of tweeters. Sound quality is good and even the bass is rich.The system is quite useable but it's easy to get lost. It has an Android-style tiled interface and some swooshy animations and in the seven Clios we've driven has never once done anything unexplained.The Premium has the amusingly novel R-Sound that, like a Fiesta ST, can pipe in engine noises. Except you have a choice of, say, a 1970s motorbike, a Nissan GT-R (!), an old Alpine or a Jetson's like spacecraft. It's amusing twice, but kids love it.ENGINE / TRANSMISSIONAs with the bulk of the Clio range, the GT comes with the 1.2-litre 120 TCE engine. With direct injection and a single turbo it develops 88 kW (or 120 hp, as the name suggests) and 190 Nm of torque. The figures don't seem particularly promising for a warm hatch, but more of that later.This tiny engine is mated to Renault's EDC dual-clutch transmission. It's a six-speed but, sadly, has no stop/start. Renault claims a 0-100 km/h time of 9.4 seconds and a combined cycle fuel consumption figure of 5.2 L/100km.DRIVINGThere are two things that set every Clio apart from the hordes – they have great steering and a sweet, lively chassis. RenaultSport was drafted in to specify a sportier suspension tune for those of us who like better-than-average-handling (something the standard Clio already dishes up) but can't afford the insurance, fuel and tyre bills of the 141 kW RS.They've done a splendid job. The car retains its incredibly light, agile feel but also its excellent ride quality. While the GT is certainly a bit stiffer, the ride remains very composed and suspension noise is well damped.When you start to push the GT, you can see where the RenaultSport badge is deserved – you can carry a lot more speed into the corners and the rear end is more interested in coming along with you. It has a terrific change of direction, partly down to the well-chosen rack ratio but also that tauter setup.The 1.2-litre engine isn't a disappointment once you're moving, either. The excellent EDC, which just shades the VW DSG, particularly around town, is good at keeping the engine in the torque band. Its 0-100 km/h time really is immaterial – you can dart around the city, squirting in and out of gaps without getting yourself into trouble, riding the torque.It's just fine on the highway (even if lets through a little too much road noise) and is enormous fun down a twisty road. Just like every other Clio. This chassis can handle way more power than even the RS has, so there's plenty in reserve.The clever bit is that some people will buy the GT for the fact that it's got a higher spec-level and they won't be bothered with the better chassis, but nor will it scare them off. It's a great balance.

We have always held the top dog VW Golf in high regard, way back into the R32 days. We were a tad worried when they dropped the six pot engine for a turbo four but that was unwarranted because the four is a better device.Now, the latest Golf R takes matters to a new high offering wholesale improvements over the previous (impressive) model. It goes harder, handles better, is safer, has more kit, uses less fuel and looks better.Not merely an all-wheel drive Golf GTI, the R gains a bigger turbo and fuel injectors, remapped ECU suspension and gearbox changes and a totally different drive system. Numerous other differences make the R a more purposeful sporty hatch than the already accomplished GTI.Built in Germany, the R shares its underpinnings with Audi’s superb S3 Sportback which costs quite a lot more.LINEUPIt’s available in six speed manual and six speed DSG manumatic starting at $51,990 for the three pedal model. DSG adds $2500 and a number of option packs are also available including the driver assist package we think should be standard.ENGINEProdigious power comes from the high-tech 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine that achieves some 206Kw/380Nm output. Peak torque is available from a low 1800rpm.For efficiency and driveability gains, the engine boasts dual fuel injection directly into the combustion chambers and also into the inlet ports. It also has variable valve timing and lift and an integrated turbo that bolts straight onto the exhaust manifold cast into the cylinder head.Bluemotion technology to cut emissions and fuel consumption dictates on-demand operation of the oil pump and external ancillaries such as the aircon’ compressor and other power sapping appliances.That’s how the R achieves 7.1-litres/100km fuel economy while offering HSV ClubSport-beating acceleration rated at 5.0-seconds for the 0-100kmh sprint.Better still is the R’s 4motion all-wheel drive system that features a torque splitting Haldex differential at the rear. Drive can be funnelled to any of the four wheels -- grip dependent.The R exhausts through quad tailpipes that emit an unusual note similar to a sporty V6 complete with a pop on full throttle up changes and a blip on down changes.FEATURESVW equips the R to a luxury level with the latest in digital connectivity and some driver assistance features adding to the car’s appeal.The exterior look is classy but understated punctuated by a set of 19-inch alloys, mild body aero add-ons and a lower ride height compared with the GTI. It gets dynamic bi-xenon headlights and LEDs front and rear.Other handy stuff includes launch control, two stage ESP control – Sport and Off, progressive steering, adaptive chassis control with Normal and Race settings, five mode driving profile selection and sports suspension. Safety rates five stars and the kit includes a driver fatigue detection system.DRIVINGIt mightn’t look a slick as the Audi but the Golf R delivers the goods when you get behind the (square bottom) wheel.Not many cars at this price come near the Golf R in performance and handling terms. It is a truly engaging and rewarding drive with superb ride, incredible grip and stirring acceleration across a wide rev range.  The double piston brakes don’t fade even after continued abuse and the gearbox allows you to flick through the ratios in a blink with no drop off in forward motion.It’s delivers both comfort and control smoothing rough roads while giving race level cornering characteristics. And it’s all selectable through the various drive systems.The sound is awesome, not too loud and unlike the normal wail you get from a performance four. Add to this the low fuel consumption, generous amount of luxury features and the practical five door body and you have a recipe for an extremely desirable and useful car.

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