Renault: Clio 182 - 18th Oct 2004 12:00pm
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.
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