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Renault Clio Hatchback 2.0 16v Renaultsport 182

Price: £14,700 For: The 182 is quick enough to see off a Honda Civic Type-R and the storming V6 255 will hunt down supercars.
Against: The V6 255 is ludicrously expensive and, because the engine is mounted where the rear seats should be, hopelessly impractical.



Performance Ride Handling Refinement
Range-topping Clios are seriously quick Errs towards touring comfort Engines are vocal; V6 sounds great


Performance

The 2.0-litre's output has been uprated to 182bhp and it is the most powerful front-drive supermini you can buy. It backs this up with suitably quick performance when driven hard, although if you're not in a rush it's perfectly civilised at more sedate pace. The 3.0-litre V6 255 is something else: equally docile for everyday use, but monstrously quick at the right time and in the right place.


Handling

Renault has revised the chassis of the 182 and it is now set up to deliver something closer to fast touring comfort rather than thrills. The recently revised V6 is now much more hard-edged than before, but still boasts fantastic poise and grip. Traction is still the hot Clio's Achilles heel. Full throttle openings away from a standstill, even with standard traction control engaged, produce lots of wheel spin as the front wheels scrabble for grip.


Refinement

A bit of noise is part of the hot hatch experience. The 2.0-litre gives off a throaty sound, but the V6 255 comes across more like a muted racing unit with the notes coming from behind your ears. Road and wind noise is there but not excessively so. The precision and smoothness of some controls, especially the gearshift, are disappointing.

• Body type Hatchback
• Number of doors 3
• Number of seats 5
• Engine (cc/type) 1998/4
• Fuel type Unleaded
• Max power (bhp/rpm) 182/no data
• Max torque (lb ft/rpm) 148/5250
• Max speed (mph) 139
• 0-60mph (sec)
• 30-70mph (sec) no data
• In Gears 30 to 50 (sec) no data/no data/no data
• In Gears 50 to 70 (sec) no data/no data/no data
• Braking distance (m) no data/no data
• Engine position F
• Driven wheels Front
• Length (mm) 3772
• Width (mm) 1639
• Height (mm) 1417
• Front headroom (mm) 910
• Front legroom (mm) 870
• Rear headroom (mm) 1050
• Rear kneeroom (mm) 760
• Boot space (min ltr) 255
• Boot space (max ltr) 596
• Turning circle (m) 10.3
• Turning circle lock to lock(m) not available
• Towing weight (kg) 1200
• Kerb weight (kg) 1059
  
  Buying Quality Safety and Security
  Expensive to buy and run Low-rent look to cabin trim Proven safety and fair security
  
  
  Buying
  The 182 is only marginally cheaper than the bigger (and better) Honda Civic Type-R. The costly V6 255 is for connoisseurs only. Both are much more expensive to insure and maintain than other Clios, and will get through tyres and brake pads much faster if driven hard. Residuals are reasonable for the class.
  
  
  Quality
  
  Clios are durable and easy to work on. The mid-mounted V6 inevitably introduces greater complexity, but generally there's nothing to worry about. Servicing is needed only once every two years or 18,000 miles, and there's now a three-year mechanical warranty. The fly in the ointment is cheap look of plastics and controls.
  
  
  Safety and Security
  
  As with any other Clio, the hot models have driver, passenger and side airbags and anti-lock brakes, but no traction control mechanisms. The crash structure has been proven by a four-star Euro NCAP rating. Security is not so impressive due to the absence of deadlocks. We broke in in less than 30 seconds but the immobiliser resisted drive-away.
• Urban 25.0
• Extra Urban 45.6
• Combined 34.9
• Tank Capacity 11
• CO2 Rating 194
• Insurance Group 16
• Typical Quote 552
• Retained Value no data
• Contract Hire Rate 288
• Cost per mile 35.9
• Service Cost 970
• Servicing 18 000
• Warranty 3yr/60 000 + 3 yr Paint + 12 yr Perforation + 3 yr Breakdown
  
  Behind the Wheel Space and Practicality Equipment
  Falls down on driving position Doesn't live up to 'size matters' ad campaign Kit list is generous
  Behind the Wheel
  
  The new Clio still suffers much of the old model's poor driver's seat adjustment. At least these two, having more sporty seats than their lesser brethren, offer drivers more support, and the materials and trim are of a generally higher quality. The control and switchgear layout could be better, as could visibility, especially in the mid-engined V6.
  
  
  Space and Practicality
  
  Renault's ads give the impression the long-in-the-wheelbase Clio is a particularly spacious supermini. In fact, rear legroom is mediocre against the best in class, and in the V6, it is reasonable. However, the new rear suspension does not interfere with a large, well shaped boot.
  
  
  Equipment
• Standard items on both the 182 and V6 255
• include drilled aluminium pedals
• leather or suede trim
• metallic paint
• CD autochangers
• the 182 car has climate control while the V6 has air-conditioning.
• Central Locking standard
• Remote Locking standard
• Adjustable Steering Reach not available
• Adjustable Steering Rake standard
• Electric Steering Adjustable not available
• Seat Height Adjustable standard
• Power Seats Adjustable not available
• Air Conditioning standard
• Climate Control standard
• Seat Belt Tensioners standard
• Driver Airbag standard
• Passenger Airbag standard
• Side Airbag standard
• Side Impactbars standard
• Centre 3 Pointbelt standard
• Traction Control standard
• Antilock Brakes standard
• Auto Gearbox not available
• Alloywheels standard
• Deadlocks not available
• Immobiliser standard
• Alarm standard
• Visible Vin standard
• Secure Spare Wheel standard
• Marked Parts standard
• Etched Windows standard
• Satellite Navigation 1500
• Handsfree Phone not available
• Leather Seats standard
• Locking Wheelnuts standard
• Metallic Paint 325
• Split Fold Rear Seats standard
• Electric Front Windows standard
• Electric Mirrors standard
• Heated Mirrors standard
• Manual Sunroof not available
• Electric Sunroof not available
• Cruise Control standard
• Multi CD 300
• Radio not available
• RDS Radio not available
• Unique Fit Radio standard

sweet mate i'd have one

Very nice cars.

Not sure on the white stripes but i certainly wouldnt moan if someone bought me one.

they are **** - get a cup instead - a proper gti.

isn't that right greer182.

Looking nice,

Looking much better in the flesh

Greer's is sweet...

What ever ade

Cups are old and getting on (like your self)

move over Cup 172 the 182 is the new hothatch of 2004.

No i love it, better than my 206GTI.

LOve It

Originals are always the best - nuff said!

LOL

Hey greer, i got one of them, but with Stickers down the doors, Think its a ex motorshow car...i love driving it..

alright, what do u mean u got the stickers down the door.

what colour is your 182, racing blue. i got mine with the stripes from the factory, its meant to celebrate the renault gordini racing car.

Check out my post in the Members Car section, you can see the stickers down the door...

Come like that, got it for £10,600 on the forecourt with 12k on the clock, its 8 months old. Has cup suspension, spoilers etc, cup wheels but is missing the front splitter..

Antin size o clio wid 182 bhp gets my vote. proper drivers car. all i need now is sum1 to offer me the keys to 1 so i can see if it drives as gud as i think it wud!

Any o u no when k-tec r gonna play wid it and m8ke it even quicker?

i really like the 182 clio, my mates nxt door neighbour has got one and its sweet bog standard! i'd definatly have one!

I drove a Clio Sport 2.0 16V when I was in South Africa a few months back. It was a great car till you turned on the Aircon and lost a bit of power but its the same in any car I suppose.

I didnt like how easy it was to throw arround. I prefer a bit of drive in my cars.

Nice and nippy litte things that are easy to handle and park and not too girlie..

I prefer Saloon style cars tho.

Its cool for throwing it into corners, and i think the tyres work better in the wet. Currently running the Michelin Pilot Exalto PE02's (205/45/16)which were standard on the car, i had too buy 2 in feb at a retail price of £135 each.....eek..

I found a little garage in Johnstown that would do them for £85 each as they messed the price up.