EVO magazine slates Clio 200T in comparison test
Discussion
EVO magazine, the great supporters of Renaulsport have now given their verdict on the new Clio 200 Turbo in a comparison test and it’s a bummer of a result. Just like all the other scribes group tests.
Compared to the Mini JCW, Fiesta ST, 208 GTI and even a Juke Nismo it came an embarrassing 4th,
It couldn’t even get around Bedford circuit the fastest. 4th again and that was with the Cup pack. Well beaten all round by the Ford. Even the 208 GTI was quicker to 60 mph with no launch control and the Pug impressed the EVO team much more than they expected.
The Fiesta hit the spot and came first overall.
Gearbox and weight was a big Clio issue. Renault claim 1204 kg, but it tipped the real life scales at 1294 Kg...... The Fiesta was just 1193 Kg.
Renault needs to listen to this sort of feedback. Many have been saying for a long time they have seriously screwed it with this new Clio RS.
If the next Megane is just a new Clio RS type clone, then Renaultsport has seriously lost it. Sad times for enthusiasts.
Compared to the Mini JCW, Fiesta ST, 208 GTI and even a Juke Nismo it came an embarrassing 4th,
It couldn’t even get around Bedford circuit the fastest. 4th again and that was with the Cup pack. Well beaten all round by the Ford. Even the 208 GTI was quicker to 60 mph with no launch control and the Pug impressed the EVO team much more than they expected.
The Fiesta hit the spot and came first overall.
Gearbox and weight was a big Clio issue. Renault claim 1204 kg, but it tipped the real life scales at 1294 Kg...... The Fiesta was just 1193 Kg.
Renault needs to listen to this sort of feedback. Many have been saying for a long time they have seriously screwed it with this new Clio RS.
If the next Megane is just a new Clio RS type clone, then Renaultsport has seriously lost it. Sad times for enthusiasts.
Similar laptime as a Golf GTI,serves the same purposes as a Golf GTI,comes last in all group tests like a Golf GTI,there is already a Golf GTI for sale no one needed another one.
Well again there's the Clio 200,wining every group test it participated,no one forces anyone who wants a great hot hatch to look at the new ones only when this still exists,similar for the Megane 250/65.
Well again there's the Clio 200,wining every group test it participated,no one forces anyone who wants a great hot hatch to look at the new ones only when this still exists,similar for the Megane 250/65.
porscheegt3 said:
Surprising it is behind 208 which got 3,5 stars at introduction drive vs clio´s 4,5. I suppose both have 4 stars now(haven´t read the mag yet). pity 208 gti rear is not more playful otherwise they would be onto a winner.
The EVO team found hidden depths to 208 GTI the longer they spent with it.Correspondingly, they became more disappointed with the Clio. The gearbox, size, lack of fun factor and most importantly, the weight killed its appeal. It really is a porker and not what Renault have advertised.
I always thought the Clio 5 door package, looks and gearbox might not appeal, but it might be compensated for with the usual class winning driver involvement and on track performance. Sadly not it seems and I can’t see where the upside is for Renaultsport with this latest offering.
I would recommend a 208 GTi to anyone. It's the first car that I've had where I've felt that it could be my only car, I've driven most things French and although it's nothing like my 205 it does put an equally big grin on face. I've spent about 750 miles behind the wheel so far and can't complain at all.
ajh38 said:
I would recommend a 208 GTi to anyone. It's the first car that I've had where I've felt that it could be my only car, I've driven most things French and although it's nothing like my 205 it does put an equally big grin on face. I've spent about 750 miles behind the wheel so far and can't complain at all.
Thanks but I will read the mag first. And for sure it cannot put grin on somebodies face as 205, are you maybe peugeots salesmen?Ha, more than that, we are a Peugeot Main Dealer! I still stand by what I said, it is one car which would do everything for me. Above all else I would say that I am a Peugeot enthusiast, someone that has had to endure about a decade of Peugeot being in the wilderness so I am genuinely excited by this car.
I wouldn't ever go out and buy a car based on a magazine review either though, if you're interested in any of the cars featured you're best off driving them all yourself and making your own mind up. Even though the reviewer(s) will be experienced in driving different cars and cars of its ilk it's still just their opinion that you're taking on board and that can never match your own for car suitability.
I wouldn't ever go out and buy a car based on a magazine review either though, if you're interested in any of the cars featured you're best off driving them all yourself and making your own mind up. Even though the reviewer(s) will be experienced in driving different cars and cars of its ilk it's still just their opinion that you're taking on board and that can never match your own for car suitability.
ajh38 said:
Ha, more than that, we are a Peugeot Main Dealer! I still stand by what I said, it is one car which would do everything for me. Above all else I would say that I am a Peugeot enthusiast, someone that has had to endure about a decade of Peugeot being in the wilderness so I am genuinely excited by this car.
I wouldn't ever go out and buy a car based on a magazine review either though, if you're interested in any of the cars featured you're best off driving them all yourself and making your own mind up. Even though the reviewer(s) will be experienced in driving different cars and cars of its ilk it's still just their opinion that you're taking on board and that can never match your own for car suitability.
Taking account we will never get back to those 205 GTI type days in a newly released hot hatch, Peugeot is back on form with the 208 GTI, while Renault has lost it with the Clio RS 200T.I wouldn't ever go out and buy a car based on a magazine review either though, if you're interested in any of the cars featured you're best off driving them all yourself and making your own mind up. Even though the reviewer(s) will be experienced in driving different cars and cars of its ilk it's still just their opinion that you're taking on board and that can never match your own for car suitability.
As one EVO reporter commented on the new Clio RS: ‘from Hero to Zero’
I haven't driven the Clio but I would welcome the option of a semi auto in the 208 but only as an option.
I only mentioned the 205 as there has been so much content comparing the two cars (mainly from Peugeot themselves). They're impossible to compare for reasons that have been well covered on PistonHeads. I think that the 208 is a much better car when you forget about the 205 altogether and appreciate it for what it is. Sorry, have got slightly off topic!
I only mentioned the 205 as there has been so much content comparing the two cars (mainly from Peugeot themselves). They're impossible to compare for reasons that have been well covered on PistonHeads. I think that the 208 is a much better car when you forget about the 205 altogether and appreciate it for what it is. Sorry, have got slightly off topic!
Technomatt said:
EVO magazine, the great supporters of Renaulsport have now given their verdict on the new Clio 200 Turbo in a comparison test and it’s a bummer of a result. Just like all the other scribes group tests.
Compared to the Mini JCW, Fiesta ST, 208 GTI and even a Juke Nismo it came an embarrassing 4th,
It couldn’t even get around Bedford circuit the fastest. 4th again and that was with the Cup pack. Well beaten all round by the Ford. Even the 208 GTI was quicker to 60 mph with no launch control and the Pug impressed the EVO team much more than they expected.
The Fiesta hit the spot and came first overall.
Gearbox and weight was a big Clio issue. Renault claim 1204 kg, but it tipped the real life scales at 1294 Kg...... The Fiesta was just 1193 Kg.
Renault needs to listen to this sort of feedback. Many have been saying for a long time they have seriously screwed it with this new Clio RS.
If the next Megane is just a new Clio RS type clone, then Renaultsport has seriously lost it. Sad times for enthusiasts.
well said!!!Compared to the Mini JCW, Fiesta ST, 208 GTI and even a Juke Nismo it came an embarrassing 4th,
It couldn’t even get around Bedford circuit the fastest. 4th again and that was with the Cup pack. Well beaten all round by the Ford. Even the 208 GTI was quicker to 60 mph with no launch control and the Pug impressed the EVO team much more than they expected.
The Fiesta hit the spot and came first overall.
Gearbox and weight was a big Clio issue. Renault claim 1204 kg, but it tipped the real life scales at 1294 Kg...... The Fiesta was just 1193 Kg.
Renault needs to listen to this sort of feedback. Many have been saying for a long time they have seriously screwed it with this new Clio RS.
If the next Megane is just a new Clio RS type clone, then Renaultsport has seriously lost it. Sad times for enthusiasts.
ajh38 said:
I would recommend a 208 GTi to anyone. It's the first car that I've had where I've felt that it could be my only car, I've driven most things French and although it's nothing like my 205 it does put an equally big grin on face. I've spent about 750 miles behind the wheel so far and can't complain at all.
Car Magazine aren't quite so polite about the 208 GTI:"There's something missing, quite a few things in fact - fun, involvement, enjoyment, interaction"
"The Pug's engine is flat and dull, it burbles briefly when started but doesn't deliver anything below 2000rpm and just drones towards the redline - it has all the character of Ed Miliband"
"We'd take the Clio Turbo over the 208 GTI, it's a better daily tool and more fun to thrash about"
They, like EVO, summed up that the Fiesta ST is brilliant and a Cooper S would be a better choice.
cheddar said:
ajh38 said:
I would recommend a 208 GTi to anyone. It's the first car that I've had where I've felt that it could be my only car, I've driven most things French and although it's nothing like my 205 it does put an equally big grin on face. I've spent about 750 miles behind the wheel so far and can't complain at all.
Car Magazine aren't quite so polite about the 208 GTI:"There's something missing, quite a few things in fact - fun, involvement, enjoyment, interaction"
"The Pug's engine is flat and dull, it burbles briefly when started but doesn't deliver anything below 2000rpm and just drones towards the redline - it has all the character of Ed Miliband"
"We'd take the Clio Turbo over the 208 GTI, it's a better daily tool and more fun to thrash about"
They, like EVO, summed up that the Fiesta ST is brilliant and a Cooper S would be a better choice.
However, it seems on a par with the new Clio RS. Bear in mind you need to spec the Clio RS with the Cup pack, wheels etc to make it half decent and competitive. That pushes the Clio price right up and much higher than the standard 208 GTI.
It seems all three miss the target for anyone wanting something remotely focused.
The Clio should have remained a manual and then it might not weigh as much and should have kept the decent braking package it had or something similar. That and the loss of the hubs from the old car and a move back to Macpherson struts all to result in a more expensive car?
I blame the gearbox for its downfall (too heavy and means they've had to cost save elsewhere), which I'm sure is ironic for some who claim the same about the old car...
Peugeot looks nice though and the ST will undoubtedly sell even better once they get Mountune putting bits out for it (even though it appears to have sold like the proverbial hot cake as it is).
The Clio should have remained a manual and then it might not weigh as much and should have kept the decent braking package it had or something similar. That and the loss of the hubs from the old car and a move back to Macpherson struts all to result in a more expensive car?
I blame the gearbox for its downfall (too heavy and means they've had to cost save elsewhere), which I'm sure is ironic for some who claim the same about the old car...
Peugeot looks nice though and the ST will undoubtedly sell even better once they get Mountune putting bits out for it (even though it appears to have sold like the proverbial hot cake as it is).
cheddar said:
Car Magazine aren't quite so polite about the 208 GTI:
"There's something missing, quite a few things in fact - fun, involvement, enjoyment, interaction"
"The Pug's engine is flat and dull, it burbles briefly when started but doesn't deliver anything below 2000rpm and just drones towards the redline - it has all the character of Ed Miliband"
"We'd take the Clio Turbo over the 208 GTI, it's a better daily tool and more fun to thrash about"
They, like EVO, summed up that the Fiesta ST is brilliant and a Cooper S would be a better choice.
After reading Evo`s review this is now the car to consider very seriously in this class, as they say its suspension proves exceptionally capable and it is great to have a Peugeot that we can champion again. Although it could involve more off course.
"There's something missing, quite a few things in fact - fun, involvement, enjoyment, interaction"
"The Pug's engine is flat and dull, it burbles briefly when started but doesn't deliver anything below 2000rpm and just drones towards the redline - it has all the character of Ed Miliband"
"We'd take the Clio Turbo over the 208 GTI, it's a better daily tool and more fun to thrash about"
They, like EVO, summed up that the Fiesta ST is brilliant and a Cooper S would be a better choice.
After reading Evo`s review this is now the car to consider very seriously in this class, as they say its suspension proves exceptionally capable and it is great to have a Peugeot that we can champion again. Although it could involve more off course.
Terminator X said:
Almost all cars are going the same way though - must be heavier due to crash testing and must sport auto gearbox to help CO2 levels. It's the Govt that are f
king it up for us petrolheads!
TX.
What about the new Range Rover? In terms of the weight issue that is. king it up for us petrolheads!TX.
JLR have managed to reduce it's weight quite significantly.
Hopefully some will follow it's lead.
Doodles19 said:
Terminator X said:
Almost all cars are going the same way though - must be heavier due to crash testing and must sport auto gearbox to help CO2 levels. It's the Govt that are fking it up for us petrolheads!
TX.
What about the new Range Rover? In terms of the weight issue that is. king it up for us petrolheads!TX.
JLR have managed to reduce it's weight quite significantly.
Hopefully some will follow it's lead.
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