Renault Clio Sport Review

Despite being French, the new Clio RS is fluent in the language of speed.

Of all the people populating mainland Europe, the French have to be the most irksome. And I know this because on my pilgrimage to the Le Mans 24-Hour, I was frustrated to within an inch of meltdown by their arrogance, ineptitude and general complacency. None of them spoke English and even if they did, they purposefully chose not to talk it just to prove some perverse point. In fact, so loathe were they to lend any assistance, I soon learnt that if wanted to know anything about the event it was best to seek out a German down at the Audi tent. But the problem is, no matter how annoying the French may be, they’ve got this knack of building stellar hot hatchbacks.From the legendary Peugeot 205 GTI to the cheeky Citroen Saxo VTS, few nations can transform a shopping trolley with the same flair and ferocity. So it’s unsurprising then that this facelifted Clio RS, made over with a variety of mechanical and cosmetic tweaks, is still one of the best buys in its class.

In the steely flesh, the new Clio RS retains its familiar stubby profile but wears an aggressive new front grille that cuts through the air with improved efficiency. This has been matched to a set of lightweight, five-spoke alloy wheels, slightly wider front fenders and a pair of chromed exhaust tailpipes that protrude menacingly from either side of the rear diffuser. It doesn’t sound like much but it makes the RS look way more purposeful on the road; kind of like a street fighter whose gained some extra tattoos and piercings. Fortunately most of the meatiest improvements lie in the Clio’s new chassis set-up. Besides having a slightly longer wheelbase, the new RS benefits from a widened track and beefier anti-roll bars at both front and rear. All über exciting to techy car nerds like myself, what this basically boils down to is that the new Clio Sport promises to corner with more verve and enthusiasm than ever before. I had the pleasure of caning ours senseless through the curves of Long Tom Pass last weekend and the little hatch never failed to thrill. Seemingly resistant to understeer – unless you’re really on the ragged edge – and endowed with serious amounts of latent grip, the Clio RS is a car that thrives on brutal changes of direction. Just pick your line, aim for the apex and you’ll exit the corner with a smile on your face every time. And while the dampers have been set a little softer – 15% to be exact – for a cushier ride, which means there’s consequently a little more bodyroll thrown in the dynamic mix, this Clio RS hasn’t lost any of its famed throttle adjustability; the rear end is still all too keen to come around should you lift off on turn in. Adding a whole lot of spice to the driving experience, it’s this sort of visceral involvement that makes the Clio RS such a rewarding piece of metal to throw across the asphalt. But having said that, I do think the engineers could have dialed a touch weight and road feel into the steering.

Thankfully the engine remains as deliciously manic as it ever was and, feeling more tractable due to a lower torque peak, rockets the RS along at a rapid lick. You’ve got to work hard for your pleasures though, maximum power still clocks in at a stratospheric 7100rpm, but for a true petrolhead this just serves to heighten the kick of flat-out driving. Finished off with a honey of a six-speed gearbox, monstrous four-pot Brembo brakes and an interior that’s home to some of the most supportive seats in the business, this latest incarnation of the Renault Clio Sport has all the ingredients to hook you up with a lifetime of driving thrills. Now, if only it were made by the Germans.

Renault Clio Sport Fast Facts:

Engine: 1998cc, four-cylinder petrol

Power: 147.5kW at 7100rpm

Torque: 215Nm at 5400rpm

0-100km/h: 6.9 seconds (claimed)

Top Speed: 225km/h (claimed)

Fuel Consumption: 8.2l/100km (claimed combined)

Price: R249 900