2014 Renault Clio RS200 EDC $29990(AUD) drive away Equivalent Toyota 86 with the same kit, automatic transmission, paint etc $43,780.00(AUD) driveaway Only problem the new Clio RS has is its past versions. The no option of the manual, which sucks for people that want one and have had previous RS Clios that were. But for 80% of people like myself who chooses an automatic on new cars its a perfect car that has everything. The Clio and 86 and now to different to compare, each reviewers opinion will be different.
The Clio is a pocket rocket hot hatcback meant to go fast on track while still being practical and "inexpensive". GT86 is aimed at drifting and fun, with skinny tyres. Wasn't made to be fast! One isn't better than the other. They are just very different cars for different people. While I could live with a Clio RS as my only car, I could not do it with a GT86. I drove the Clio RS the other day and on track you just forget about the manual gearbox and really focus on just being fast. Lovely little machine for the average Joe like myself!
Probably the only comment that deserves attention. Well said. I've chosen the Clio because of it's ability to go fast, and the gearbox I find it's also fun to use ! Especialli on mountains roads using the stick.
the GT86 is more fun to drive because it's a rear wheel drive!! But the Clio RS is more exciting and fun than other front wheel drive cars around within the category! It comes to what you are looking for in a sports car!
i have a Clio RS the same as the one in the video but with the uprated suspension and wheels, Its awesome, the grip, performance is class for a 1.6 turbo. if you use the launch control feature 0-60 is 6.5sec.
Clio is track car while gt86 is car for fun and do crazy stuff with it like donuts and power slides. But i like the engine of the cliomore. It gives more torque in lower RPM compare to Toyota
I would agree completely, however I test drove the GT86 last week and it's hard to put into words, but it is a lovely car to drive. There is a sense of occasion and involvement it gives you that you don't get in hatchbacks (regardless of superior power).
I prefer control over "fun"... Toyota GT86 is like a speech of a entertainer and the Clio is a speech of a doctor, when they try to tell the same story. Ok... I also like the Toyota very much, and in some days it would be my favorite! But for a day by day use, if you can't get both, I would buy the Clio RS.
Each to their own! my old Clio 1.2L was one of my favorite handling cars, but now I've moved on a rwd Mazda RX-8, The GT86 ticks all the right boxes for me.
I can see why they've changed the clio rs. I've just got rid of my 197. On the road the ride is too hard and the low range torque is rubbish. It really needed a turbo. New looks crap.
An automatic gear box in an hot hatch is a dealbreaker for me! if i would buy an hot hatch it would be for the pure fun of driving not for fast lap times.
For me that is the EXACT combination I am looking for. Manual gearboxes in day-to-day driving is such a chore nowadays. Road testers don't have to live with the cars they test, and occasionally pitch comparisons which are not really going after the same buyer - 5 dr hatch or 2 door sports car: would one buyer really be juggling these two as alternatives?
Jeffrey West A chore? I drive a manual transmission coupe (a Toyota Levin) and it is the best thing I've ever driven. My wife's car is Automatic (Toyota Altezza, same as the LExus IS) and that I hate driving, the only thing I love about it is the rear-wheel drive and man, it does get up but at times the traction control is too intrusive, the back does go out ever now and then but that is on the odd occasion, but the manual is fun for me to drive - traffic on not, hills or not! I just love driving it!
BKamron Here here. Previous car was an auto and after coming from a manual I thought I'd be fine. Got bored and back in a manual now for the past 4 years. Traffic is a trade off I'm willing to live with
Clio 3 RS was the reference in his category. Clio 4 RS is not as good in corners, less agility, less sportivity but it's more effective. CLIO 3 RS = SENSATION, CLIO 4 RS = EFFICIENCY. But if you want to compare GT86 with a french car, you have to do it with Peugeot RCZ. And if you want to drive a really good french car, you must try Megane RS Trophy or Cup.
I am not too sure but I think it helps with fuel economy and make the drive better because you won't notice the changes as much where in an older automatic you get a serious drop in power which upsets the ride.
The outgoing 200 3rd generation clio RS also had this beep when it was time to change up. It could be disabled though, therefore I imagine it can be turned off again.
You CAN'T put numbers on fun, and you CAN'T put numbers on how much smiles a person has when driving the LFA because of it's sound and perfect handling. ANY CAR can go fast in a straight line. Modify it, but no car can be as fun in a twisty road as the LFA and the GT 86. Even Jeremy Clarkson thinks the Lexus LFA and GT 86 are the best sportscars he's ever driven, and his famous quote on the 86 was "He who shall be last, shall be sideways and smiling." So, what were you saying about Toyota again?
Bravo nice review of this new clio RS 200 EDC equipped with sport chassis. I have to admit i was expecting a lot from both the new clio IV RS and the peugeot 208 GTi, but seeing those front brakes calippers made me change my mind, and I finally bought an abarth punto evo 180 (at least it has proper brakes with brembo calipers) as my new supermini A drag race, or hot chase between all the superminis available on market: VAG / RS / 208 / fiesta st / Corsa / DS3R / PEA / swift / mini = COOL + FUN
I'm sure sooner or later Renault will come out with a more extreme version of Clio RS, with a manual gearbox, more power, stiffer suspension, etc. Same as they did before. There was never just one Clio RS....always some extra sporty versions. This now is a perfect blend of performance and everyday usability.
It's a shame, im a first time RS owner with the 808 and quickly realised how much of a drivers focused car the RS range is. I was also quick to be disappointed when reviews of the new clio started leaking out.
Sad to see Renault go "soft" on us. The whole attraction of the previous RS Clios was that "smile factor" and the sheer bare bones raw fun you would have driving it on the roads that he was. With that gone it's just a Golf GTI, and I see 50 year old woman in those all the time. RIP RS Clio.
While I haven't driven a Clio (Renault doesn't exist in the States), I have driven a MINI JCW, which I think you'll agree is a comparable hot hatchback. There was no getting away from the fact that it felt wrong wheel drive. It fried its inside front wheel when accelerating quickly out of a driveway/business, and compared to a MX-5, it was nowhere near as eager to rotate and change direction. FWD, no matter how well sorted, will always be wrong wheel drive. Period.
Is there even any point in turning the ESP off in a FWD car?? Seems like it would just make the dreaded torque steer even worse, burn up your front tires early etc. etc.. Maybe a bit extra lift off oversteer if you're lucky??
Dude thanks for understanding man. These guys are making a fuss because I elaborated. For example the defination of a sports car is cheap and fun, supercard are on the expensive side and are even faster than the sports car, sometimes gt cars exist with high horsepower but not as great handeling prowess as supercars and hyper cars are anything from light supercars costing mostly over 500,000 dollars simple.
With a couple of my mates owning a 172 Cup and a 200 Gordini I was really looking forward to this coming out until we all got told it would having a generic 1.6 turbo engine instead of the brutal high revving 2.0 F4R lumps and an auto gearbox. The only reason people went for Renaultsport cars instead of grown up Polo GTI's with their DSG boxes was for hardcore thrills. Renault are going to see all their customers buy Fiesta ST's this time. And 19k is not cheap for a fast Clio.
You mentioned the model on Asteon martin, but you said nothing about the Zonda. If you want to get specific you should have said Huayra. There are 20 versions of the zonda with very different levels of power all the way to lighter components. I don't know why you are giving me pointers when i was merely stating that your first classification of cars was clearly wrong.
People who have not driven the 86 will not understand that more power and more grip doesn't mean more fun. I have owned and driven many very fast cars and this car is easily one of the most fun I've ever driven. It has approachable limits that allow you to play with the car without wrapping it around a tree.
it's comparing two schools of driving, RWD and FWD that are in about the same range of price. The Golf GTI is often compared with the 135M from BMW, and it's a RWD ..
you're already using two cars in completely different price brackets, so obviously this was more about on paper stats. That said, you just as well could have used an automatic gt86 and see how well its paddle shifters function.
In the present days have a big missconception about the "sports cars" Faster car doesn't means sport car. Example : The Porsche Cayenne is faster than a Lotus Elise but is not a sport car The clio is a FwD. The real sports cars are RWD or 4wd The car balance, driving position, suspension, steering, gravity center, define a sport car, no the speed and the Horse Power
+Gaston Maqueda Exacly. Using the logic of '0-60' times as what makes a better sports car then a BMW X6M, a freaking SUV is more of a sports car than a Porshce Cayman GT4. Anyone with a straight face going to tell me that a X6M is more of a sports car thana GT4?
Farhan Chowdhury Exactly my friend. That is exactly I'am trying to explain, all the time. The Porsche Cayenne Turbo S (SUV) is more sport than a Lamborghini Countach?
I like the GT86, I've driven it around a track when they had an open presentation in my country, but I would not buy it as an every day car. The engine feels like its got 100hp, not 200, until you get it to 6000 rpm, and then it sounds horrible. There's no sound proofing for wind of tires either, suspension is stiff and uncomfortable but still manages to roll and dive hard during braking. Clio on the other hand is a impressive technical achievement. Its a very very very underrated car.
The Renault is a sweet car. And a reminder...every time a European slags a Mustang, or Corvette compared to their high performance super cars remember, here they are squally equivalent to an everyday performance car like this little Clio.
It just doesn´t make a sense to me... I mean, dual-clutch Clio which was not supposed to be very lightweighted overruns the new GT-86 in the weight ... and everyone is saying that GT-86 is much more focused on weightsaving than any other ... lol does not make sense to me
Man, £5000 is a HUGE amount of money... And leather seats in the GT86 is a £3k option. Not to mention the Clio has more standard equipment. Also, I reckon, those Prius tires on the GT86 would wear out pretty darn fast...
This isn’t really a fair comparison, the Clio is never going to be as fun as a rwd sports car, but it offers some of the fun with more practicality and it sounds better and is much more pontent, if you were going to compare the two it should also be the gt86 auto vs the Clio.
The only thing i didn't like about the Clio when i test drove it was that it didn't feel special enough. There was nice noises, it was fast with really good ride but it wasn't hot. They need to inject a bit more fun in the car. Or you could just add an exhaust, remap and basic suspension changes (firmer ride and more tail action) and it would be a hoot and a weapon. But I have nothing but respect for the 86, old school fun
Also its been tested and proven that the GT86 responds very well to a simple tire swap, from the horrible low rolling resistance tires from the prius, to a set of Pzero's. That will give it better grip than your RS as well. Trust me the better engineered car is the 86, and its a toyota not a Renalt so it actually might be running in a few years.
I think I'm missing somethinghere,the Toyota is a sharp instrument while it's heavier,slower and less refined than the Clio,so how on earth it could be more precise? Seems like a little FWD hatch completely blew away that RWD plastic-mobile,oh,and for much less $.
Traction control??? In the scene 06:33 the car skipped out of its lane and the Clio didn't, and that what I meant by being on rails! The Clio made it though the corner with less drama and I like that better! Mr. TheTakumi222.
No tire swap will ever make the GT86 grip as hard as Clio. Grip is not all about tires. Are you aware that the levels of grip Clio RS produces in corner rivals SUPERCARS? It can pull almost 1,4G in a corner, while GT86 cant even reach 0.9. Not to mention on limit Clio will still stay neutral with hint of understeer, while Toyota will be all over the place. Sliding around on a track might be fun, but on the road it gets old fast, not to mention its not very safe.
Btw last time a zonda had only 390 hp was 12 years ago man, what the hell how old are you did you just look at wikipedia and saw the 1st version of the car and copy and paste?
Well, for high performance cars, dual clutch semi auto gearbox is just way faster than a manual car, so it means, faster in track, even though the manual is more fun, in terms of efficiency, it just isn't as good. Plus, you can concentrate more on the driving, and less on the gear changing, as there is no clutch to use, so i think, you're faster with it, and you're better at being fast. That being said, I'd rather have a GT86 than a faster car with semi auto gearbox, because it's way more fun.
Omg man, are you serious, I was trying to mention sports cars are anything from a toyota gt86 to an aston martin(aston is a gran touring car hence not a supercar and is not considered a great handeling car), supercar can be anything from a nissan gtr to a lamborghini aventador, hyper cars are pretty much a mixed bag from zonda to koenigsegg agera to bugatti veyron even the veyron is an engineering marvel instead of a light weight mid engined beast.
Clio RS might only be a small hatchback, but its capability of being fast and being comfortable at the same time is unmatched anywhere near its price point. Its the best small hot hatch, that is true. There's no need to even compare it to stuff like Polo GTI or Corsa OPC, its pointless, thats why nobody compares it to other hatches, but to more expensive RWD cars. EVO magazine chose the Clio RS as one of 10 best drivers cars in the world for years in a row, in company with Ferraris, Porsches...
YES! Why is more grip better?! All more grip does is make you go faster. Is faster more fun? Not necessarily, and certainly not on the road, where these cars are actually used. If you think a faster, automatic gearboxed hot hatch is a better hot hatch, you don't understand the point of them.
Good Review. I Like both cars, think the Clio looks quite good and it will make a nice competitor to VW Polo GTI. Spec up the GT86 and it looks quite good too and will have no real competitor due to it´s RWD and Manual (MX5 perhaps). If one want to go a bit of track day stuff the GT86 no doubt, if you just want an everyday fast and practical car - the Clio seems to be a very good offering. C. Harris mentioned that it could easy be tuned to 250 HP - just not how - guess we will see this sometime
Clio is by far the better engineered car. Why you ask? Well, because, its outright faster in any situation in any weather. Its much more comfortable and refined as well, has better fuel economy, a better engine, more usable because of max. torque from 1500-5500 rpm, faster gearbox, it scores better safety ratings, its got room for 5 people and their luggage, the interior is made from higher quality materials than in Toyota, etc. Its just a better car regardless of your preference of RWD.
The interior on the GT86 is appealing for 17 year olds who think a Corsa C is luxurious! The Clio is a much much much better buy for the money. The interior, stats, running cost, practicality, purchase price prove that
Maybe in stock form the Clio will eat the GT86 but I don't think so especially on a technical track. This all changes when start modifying the car. The Clio will get eaten up. I don't understand why you would say it's embarrassing because its not an everyday car. That's boring. Actually the car was made to have fun. You wouldn't understand unless you understand what makes a drivers car.
i like the gt86 but if you want rear wheel drive fun at a very low price pick up an 08/09 mazda rx8 231bhp for around £6k. i know itl be more in fuel and maintenance but not £19k more
The 86, though imperfect, is pretty much the cheap sportscar of the decade so its only natural for any cheap car with sporting aspirations to be compared to it. It's not about RWD vs FWD, manual vs dual clutch, NA vs forced induction. It's about cheap thrills and having bags fun. Isn't that what these cars are all about? How the car delivers the fun is not the point made here, rather which is more fun.
My father owns a Mégane III, it runs for 4 years without problems and it is 5 years warranty. Of course Toyota is in the best in terms of reliability, but Renault is not bad, the "Generation III" are more reliable than Ford or VW.
Toyota not being a sports car company? Ever heard of Toyota Supra GT, Toyota MR-2 GT-S...? Not to mention their success in the racing world with the GT-One...the fact that they can do fuel-saving cars like the Yaris does not mean they can't do sports cars as well...
I am a huge fan of Renault Sport (even though I might be biased because I'm French), but if I had to pick between the two, I would go for the GT 86 without a splitsecond of hesitation. Not that the Clio is bad or anything (the Megane RS 265 still is Renault Sport's masterpiece though), but I HAVE to admit that Toyobaru's GT 86/BRZ is probably the best affordable sportscar nowadays. It's just so attractive and original, I shall own one sooner or later.
FWD drive cars are far cheaper to build and maintain and far safer on the road. Most people aren't racing drivers so rear wheel drive would be ridiculous for most road cars. Double clutch automatics are the way forward, they are faster than you, they are more economical than you and they don't wear out as quickly. AWD is better for putting power onto the road and for fast driving in low grip conditions.
I would pick the Toyota GT86 hands down no prob's. You can keep your little Clio RS 200 The GT86 will be much more fun to drive and looks much better as well.
The Clio seems more like a case of straighten up the software. A very minor quibble. The Toyobaru triplets need some help on basic handling and overall speed, and that needs to happen real fast before competitors arrive thinking GM, Nissan, and recently KIA. Sorry, I'm not buying the drift car angle of this car.
Simple: GT86: looks, durability, handeling, driver's car, instant classic, collectors value Clio: cheap hothatch, not so appealing looks, deff not a collectors car, 1.6 turbo will wear out fast and sensitive for gearbox/turbo/engine failure.
To recall 3 million of their cars proved that Toyota is actually very reliable company. Normally, no one will notice an airbag problem until it's too late. Any dishonest company would've just look away and pretend that the problem didn't exist.
The renault is all about how fast can go attack the corner while GT86 is how much fun u can get from a corner ....... Renault measure by lap time GT86 measure by smile per gallon
Razvann> You can't rank cars with bhp. Otherwise any diesel car remapped @ 1000+ hp would become hypercar. That's non-sense. BrunoG> One can't say this new C4RS is the best of the category. It depends on what one's searching for. I love hot hatches, but 3 doors only, with brembos, racing styling design bucket seats and manual gear. My 3 contenders were corsa opc/punto abarth/ibiza cupra. ibiza gearbox and opc interio plastic failed. 4 me C4RS is not top of the line: nothing matches my criterias.
Did you read what I wrote? I agree with you, a manual is more fun, and you dont need a semi auto for that type of cars, I just said that for real track car or racing car, a good semi auto is just faster...
The Clio might be a decent car to drive, and perhaps more practical, but if I had to make a decision, I'm rolling with the GT86....I wouldn't even give the Clio a second thought, but that's just me.
Renault has got the best chassis for FWD. These cars are the best supermini in europe. No questions asked. Look who hold the FWD Record on the nurburgring, and behind what cars.
Manual gearbox, prettier, will be more reliable, rear wheel drive, near 50/50 weight distribution, doesn't bleep when u bounce off the red...no contest at all
How many owners of cars u know keep theirs for more than 5 years? We all know the low resistance tires are not for fuel saving. Its to get back the low back traction for u could drift. With sports cars, once u got this, u wanna try that. The cycle goes on. Sure the GT86 if great now. Whats down the road? There will be a lot of wrong category cars that will be better than it. The Clio is a good example. It doesn't even take 2 years.
well...the truth is that a 991 as nearly same power to weight ratio of a dbs and the zonda nowadays has at least 600bhp. so id put the 911 in the sports car market. the dbs is in the middle between sportscar and gran tourer. every zondas is an hypercar.
Well,... its Steve Sutcliffe opinion... I have to have mine and drive both! But usually I focus in the engine and on the gearbox, so I think the Clio RS will get my attention, until the GT86 hasn´t a better engine and a better gearbox.
I'll take the GT86 thanks, it looks better (in my humble opinion) and drives better. The Clio will be fast, torquey and fun as a result I'm sure. The shift beeps on the Clio are annoying a hell, does it even happen when it's in 'race' mode?
2014 Renault Clio RS200 EDC $29990(AUD) drive away
Equivalent Toyota 86 with the same kit, automatic transmission, paint etc $43,780.00(AUD) driveaway
Only problem the new Clio RS has is its past versions. The no option of the manual, which sucks for people that want one and have had previous RS Clios that were. But for 80% of people like myself who chooses an automatic on new cars its a perfect car that has everything.
The Clio and 86 and now to different to compare, each reviewers opinion will be different.
I wish more cars like the Clio would come to America!
The Clio is a pocket rocket hot hatcback meant to go fast on track while still being practical and "inexpensive". GT86 is aimed at drifting and fun, with skinny tyres. Wasn't made to be fast!
One isn't better than the other. They are just very different cars for different people. While I could live with a Clio RS as my only car, I could not do it with a GT86.
I drove the Clio RS the other day and on track you just forget about the manual gearbox and really focus on just being fast. Lovely little machine for the average Joe like myself!
Probably the only comment that deserves attention. Well said. I've chosen the Clio because of it's ability to go fast, and the gearbox I find it's also fun to use ! Especialli on mountains roads using the stick.
A GT86 will be a classic car like the GTI mk1, nsx, AE86 for sure.
This comment didn't age well
the GT86 is more fun to drive because it's a rear wheel drive!! But the Clio RS is more exciting and fun than other front wheel drive cars around within the category! It comes to what you are looking for in a sports car!
i have a Clio RS the same as the one in the video but with the uprated suspension and wheels, Its awesome, the grip, performance is class for a 1.6 turbo. if you use the launch control feature 0-60 is 6.5sec.
Or you can buy a 197 all naturally aspirated and bury the 1.6 turbo’s 🤣
@@milesmitchell4326 yeah I had a blue one of them before that one. Loved it.
i dont know who are faster...but i choose the 86 every time.
Clio is track car while gt86 is car for fun and do crazy stuff with it like donuts and power slides. But i like the engine of the cliomore. It gives more torque in lower RPM compare to Toyota
I would agree completely, however I test drove the GT86 last week and it's hard to put into words, but it is a lovely car to drive. There is a sense of occasion and involvement it gives you that you don't get in hatchbacks (regardless of superior power).
I prefer control over "fun"... Toyota GT86 is like a speech of a entertainer and the Clio is a speech of a doctor, when they try to tell the same story.
Ok... I also like the Toyota very much, and in some days it would be my favorite! But for a day by day use, if you can't get both, I would buy the Clio RS.
Each to their own! my old Clio 1.2L was one of my favorite handling cars, but now I've moved on a rwd Mazda RX-8, The GT86 ticks all the right boxes for me.
I can see why they've changed the clio rs. I've just got rid of my 197. On the road the ride is too hard and the low range torque is rubbish. It really needed a turbo. New looks crap.
An automatic gear box in an hot hatch is a dealbreaker for me!
if i would buy an hot hatch it would be for the pure fun of driving not for fast lap times.
For me that is the EXACT combination I am looking for. Manual gearboxes in day-to-day driving is such a chore nowadays. Road testers don't have to live with the cars they test, and occasionally pitch comparisons which are not really going after the same buyer - 5 dr hatch or 2 door sports car: would one buyer really be juggling these two as alternatives?
Jeffrey West A chore? I drive a manual transmission coupe (a Toyota Levin) and it is the best thing I've ever driven. My wife's car is Automatic (Toyota Altezza, same as the LExus IS) and that I hate driving, the only thing I love about it is the rear-wheel drive and man, it does get up but at times the traction control is too intrusive, the back does go out ever now and then but that is on the odd occasion, but the manual is fun for me to drive - traffic on not, hills or not! I just love driving it!
BKamron Here here. Previous car was an auto and after coming from a manual I thought I'd be fine. Got bored and back in a manual now for the past 4 years. Traffic is a trade off I'm willing to live with
Clio 3 RS was the reference in his category. Clio 4 RS is not as good in corners, less agility, less sportivity but it's more effective.
CLIO 3 RS = SENSATION, CLIO 4 RS = EFFICIENCY.
But if you want to compare GT86 with a french car, you have to do it with Peugeot RCZ. And if you want to drive a really good french car, you must try Megane RS Trophy or Cup.
4:02 he actually explains in the video why he's comparing them, i swear people just read the title and imediately comment without even watching it.
Clio RS for me .
Ok, for you the van.
Give me 86
Drove the GT86 today finally. It is an absolute hoot to drive. Easy choice in this comparison. Toyota have got this one so, so right.
I would chose the clio over the GT86 any day
you would LOVE renaults there, they call it the affordable mercs... and to me they're a step up from VWs
Some refreshing honesty from Auto Car, well done Sutcliffe.
I am not too sure but I think it helps with fuel economy and make the drive better because you won't notice the changes as much where in an older automatic you get a serious drop in power which upsets the ride.
chris harris drove the clio in a much more spectacular fashion when he reviewed it.
The outgoing 200 3rd generation clio RS also had this beep when it was time to change up. It could be disabled though, therefore I imagine it can be turned off again.
You CAN'T put numbers on fun, and you CAN'T put numbers on how much smiles a person has when driving the LFA because of it's sound and perfect handling. ANY CAR can go fast in a straight line. Modify it, but no car can be as fun in a twisty road as the LFA and the GT 86. Even Jeremy Clarkson thinks the Lexus LFA and GT 86 are the best sportscars he's ever driven, and his famous quote on the 86 was "He who shall be last, shall be sideways and smiling." So, what were you saying about Toyota again?
Bravo nice review of this new clio RS 200 EDC equipped with sport chassis.
I have to admit i was expecting a lot from both the new clio IV RS and the peugeot 208 GTi, but seeing those front brakes calippers made me change my mind, and I finally bought an abarth punto evo 180 (at least it has proper brakes with brembo calipers) as my new supermini
A drag race, or hot chase between all the superminis available on market: VAG / RS / 208 / fiesta st / Corsa / DS3R / PEA / swift / mini = COOL + FUN
renault clio is very beatiful
a very clear & precise comparo, great review Steve...
I'm sure sooner or later Renault will come out with a more extreme version of Clio RS, with a manual gearbox, more power, stiffer suspension, etc. Same as they did before. There was never just one Clio RS....always some extra sporty versions. This now is a perfect blend of performance and everyday usability.
It's a shame, im a first time RS owner with the 808 and quickly realised how much of a drivers focused car the RS range is. I was also quick to be disappointed when reviews of the new clio started leaking out.
GT86...going back in time, when car's top priority was fun and not comfort
Even if the Clio seems faster, i prefer the gt86
Sad to see Renault go "soft" on us. The whole attraction of the previous RS Clios was that "smile factor" and the sheer bare bones raw fun you would have driving it on the roads that he was. With that gone it's just a Golf GTI, and I see 50 year old woman in those all the time. RIP RS Clio.
While I haven't driven a Clio (Renault doesn't exist in the States), I have driven a MINI JCW, which I think you'll agree is a comparable hot hatchback. There was no getting away from the fact that it felt wrong wheel drive. It fried its inside front wheel when accelerating quickly out of a driveway/business, and compared to a MX-5, it was nowhere near as eager to rotate and change direction. FWD, no matter how well sorted, will always be wrong wheel drive. Period.
Is there even any point in turning the ESP off in a FWD car?? Seems like it would just make the dreaded torque steer even worse, burn up your front tires early etc. etc.. Maybe a bit extra lift off oversteer if you're lucky??
Dude thanks for understanding man. These guys are making a fuss because I elaborated. For example the defination of a sports car is cheap and fun, supercard are on the expensive side and are even faster than the sports car, sometimes gt cars exist with high horsepower but not as great handeling prowess as supercars and hyper cars are anything from light supercars costing mostly over 500,000 dollars simple.
Most likely. The more grip you have the more composed it is, assuming you don't touch the engine.
With a couple of my mates owning a 172 Cup and a 200 Gordini I was really looking forward to this coming out until we all got told it would having a generic 1.6 turbo engine instead of the brutal high revving 2.0 F4R lumps and an auto gearbox. The only reason people went for Renaultsport cars instead of grown up Polo GTI's with their DSG boxes was for hardcore thrills. Renault are going to see all their customers buy Fiesta ST's this time. And 19k is not cheap for a fast Clio.
You mentioned the model on Asteon martin, but you said nothing about the Zonda. If you want to get specific you should have said Huayra. There are 20 versions of the zonda with very different levels of power all the way to lighter components. I don't know why you are giving me pointers when i was merely stating that your first classification of cars was clearly wrong.
People who have not driven the 86 will not understand that more power and more grip doesn't mean more fun. I have owned and driven many very fast cars and this car is easily one of the most fun I've ever driven. It has approachable limits that allow you to play with the car without wrapping it around a tree.
it's comparing two schools of driving, RWD and FWD that are in about the same range of price.
The Golf GTI is often compared with the 135M from BMW, and it's a RWD ..
mr2 (mid engine rwd sportcar),
celica (rally legend)
supra (a beast even if its stock)
and dont forget the legendary AE86. want more?
there is something called traction control n im pretty sure you wont turn it off when u r driving normally
About the grip, if you put some decent tires on the toyota(it comes with the same tyres as a pryus...) will it be composed as the clio?
you're already using two cars in completely different price brackets, so obviously this was more about on paper stats. That said, you just as well could have used an automatic gt86 and see how well its paddle shifters function.
The Clio is a Hot Hatch
The 86 is a real sport car
+Gaston Maqueda
r u sure?
swift vin
Absolutely
In the present days have a big missconception about the "sports cars"
Faster car doesn't means sport car.
Example : The Porsche Cayenne is faster than a Lotus Elise but is not a sport car
The clio is a FwD. The real sports cars are RWD or 4wd
The car balance, driving position, suspension, steering, gravity center, define a sport car, no the speed and the Horse Power
+Gaston Maqueda Exacly. Using the logic of '0-60' times as what makes a better sports car then a BMW X6M, a freaking SUV is more of a sports car than a Porshce Cayman GT4.
Anyone with a straight face going to tell me that a X6M is more of a sports car thana GT4?
Farhan Chowdhury
Exactly my friend. That is exactly I'am trying to explain, all the time.
The Porsche Cayenne Turbo S (SUV) is more sport than a Lamborghini Countach?
Clio RS please
I like the GT86, I've driven it around a track when they had an open presentation in my country, but I would not buy it as an every day car. The engine feels like its got 100hp, not 200, until you get it to 6000 rpm, and then it sounds horrible. There's no sound proofing for wind of tires either, suspension is stiff and uncomfortable but still manages to roll and dive hard during braking. Clio on the other hand is a impressive technical achievement. Its a very very very underrated car.
The Renault is a sweet car. And a reminder...every time a European slags a Mustang, or Corvette compared to their high performance super cars remember, here they are squally equivalent to an everyday performance car like this little Clio.
It just doesn´t make a sense to me... I mean, dual-clutch Clio which was not supposed to be very lightweighted overruns the new GT-86 in the weight ... and everyone is saying that GT-86 is much more focused on weightsaving than any other ... lol does not make sense to me
the gt86 was designed from the ground up as a drift car which is why is so twitchy . personally I'd rather have a fiesta st mountune
+Alex Harrod fiesta st is nice chasis.
Oh my god no it wasn't ahahaha
Renault clio rs 4
Man, £5000 is a HUGE amount of money... And leather seats in the GT86 is a £3k option. Not to mention the Clio has more standard equipment. Also, I reckon, those Prius tires on the GT86 would wear out pretty darn fast...
I love honest reviews. Good job to this presenter.
This isn’t really a fair comparison, the Clio is never going to be as fun as a rwd sports car, but it offers some of the fun with more practicality and it sounds better and is much more pontent, if you were going to compare the two it should also be the gt86 auto vs the Clio.
yeah i m a grandpa because i prefer the involvement of shifting my own gears over playing a video game.
The only thing i didn't like about the Clio when i test drove it was that it didn't feel special enough. There was nice noises, it was fast with really good ride but it wasn't hot. They need to inject a bit more fun in the car. Or you could just add an exhaust, remap and basic suspension changes (firmer ride and more tail action) and it would be a hoot and a weapon. But I have nothing but respect for the 86, old school fun
I remember back in the day when Renault put a V6 in the back of a Clio and I thought it was the most insane thing ever.
Is the engine in that clio rs the same one used in the nissan juke?
Its too bad manual gearbox seems to be dying out. Can you imagine just how much fun a 458 Italia or the new 911 GT3 would be if they had manuals?
Also its been tested and proven that the GT86 responds very well to a simple tire swap, from the horrible low rolling resistance tires from the prius, to a set of Pzero's. That will give it better grip than your RS as well. Trust me the better engineered car is the 86, and its a toyota not a Renalt so it actually might be running in a few years.
I think I'm missing somethinghere,the Toyota is a sharp instrument while it's heavier,slower and less refined than the Clio,so how on earth it could be more precise?
Seems like a little FWD hatch completely blew away that RWD plastic-mobile,oh,and for much less $.
Traction control??? In the scene 06:33 the car skipped out of its lane and the Clio didn't, and that what I meant by being on rails! The Clio made it though the corner with less drama and I like that better! Mr. TheTakumi222.
No tire swap will ever make the GT86 grip as hard as Clio. Grip is not all about tires. Are you aware that the levels of grip Clio RS produces in corner rivals SUPERCARS? It can pull almost 1,4G in a corner, while GT86 cant even reach 0.9. Not to mention on limit Clio will still stay neutral with hint of understeer, while Toyota will be all over the place. Sliding around on a track might be fun, but on the road it gets old fast, not to mention its not very safe.
I want to see a Renaultsport Clio V6!
Btw last time a zonda had only 390 hp was 12 years ago man, what the hell how old are you did you just look at wikipedia and saw the 1st version of the car and copy and paste?
A footballer who knows about cars? A rare find!
Well, for high performance cars, dual clutch semi auto gearbox is just way faster than a manual car, so it means, faster in track, even though the manual is more fun, in terms of efficiency, it just isn't as good.
Plus, you can concentrate more on the driving, and less on the gear changing, as there is no clutch to use, so i think, you're faster with it, and you're better at being fast.
That being said, I'd rather have a GT86 than a faster car with semi auto gearbox, because it's way more fun.
Omg man, are you serious, I was trying to mention sports cars are anything from a toyota gt86 to an aston martin(aston is a gran touring car hence not a supercar and is not considered a great handeling car), supercar can be anything from a nissan gtr to a lamborghini aventador, hyper cars are pretty much a mixed bag from zonda to koenigsegg agera to bugatti veyron even the veyron is an engineering marvel instead of a light weight mid engined beast.
Clio RS might only be a small hatchback, but its capability of being fast and being comfortable at the same time is unmatched anywhere near its price point. Its the best small hot hatch, that is true. There's no need to even compare it to stuff like Polo GTI or Corsa OPC, its pointless, thats why nobody compares it to other hatches, but to more expensive RWD cars. EVO magazine chose the Clio RS as one of 10 best drivers cars in the world for years in a row, in company with Ferraris, Porsches...
YES! Why is more grip better?! All more grip does is make you go faster. Is faster more fun? Not necessarily, and certainly not on the road, where these cars are actually used.
If you think a faster, automatic gearboxed hot hatch is a better hot hatch, you don't understand the point of them.
Good Review. I Like both cars, think the Clio looks quite good and it will make a nice competitor to VW Polo GTI. Spec up the GT86 and it looks quite good too and will have no real competitor due to it´s RWD and Manual (MX5 perhaps). If one want to go a bit of track day stuff the GT86 no doubt, if you just want an everyday fast and practical car - the Clio seems to be a very good offering. C. Harris mentioned that it could easy be tuned to 250 HP - just not how - guess we will see this sometime
Clio is by far the better engineered car. Why you ask? Well, because, its outright faster in any situation in any weather. Its much more comfortable and refined as well, has better fuel economy, a better engine, more usable because of max. torque from 1500-5500 rpm, faster gearbox, it scores better safety ratings, its got room for 5 people and their luggage, the interior is made from higher quality materials than in Toyota, etc. Its just a better car regardless of your preference of RWD.
The interior on the GT86 is appealing for 17 year olds who think a Corsa C is luxurious!
The Clio is a much much much better buy for the money. The interior, stats, running cost, practicality, purchase price prove that
Maybe in stock form the Clio will eat the GT86 but I don't think so especially on a technical track. This all changes when start modifying the car. The Clio will get eaten up.
I don't understand why you would say it's embarrassing because its not an everyday car. That's boring. Actually the car was made to have fun. You wouldn't understand unless you understand what makes a drivers car.
Might just be me but ive noticed the new clio rs and upcoming gt line model have no fog lights?
can you advise on the sport version you tested vs the cup version re suspensión and chassis.?
i like the gt86 but if you want rear wheel drive fun at a very low price pick up an 08/09 mazda rx8 231bhp for around £6k. i know itl be more in fuel and maintenance but not £19k more
The 86, though imperfect, is pretty much the cheap sportscar of the decade so its only natural for any cheap car with sporting aspirations to be compared to it.
It's not about RWD vs FWD, manual vs dual clutch, NA vs forced induction. It's about cheap thrills and having bags fun. Isn't that what these cars are all about?
How the car delivers the fun is not the point made here, rather which is more fun.
My father owns a Mégane III, it runs for 4 years without problems and it is 5 years warranty. Of course Toyota is in the best in terms of reliability, but Renault is not bad, the "Generation III" are more reliable than Ford or VW.
Toyota not being a sports car company? Ever heard of Toyota Supra GT, Toyota MR-2 GT-S...? Not to mention their success in the racing world with the GT-One...the fact that they can do fuel-saving cars like the Yaris does not mean they can't do sports cars as well...
I am a huge fan of Renault Sport (even though I might be biased because I'm French), but if I had to pick between the two, I would go for the GT 86 without a splitsecond of hesitation. Not that the Clio is bad or anything (the Megane RS 265 still is Renault Sport's masterpiece though), but I HAVE to admit that Toyobaru's GT 86/BRZ is probably the best affordable sportscar nowadays. It's just so attractive and original, I shall own one sooner or later.
Ah ah...je pense comme toi ;-)
FWD drive cars are far cheaper to build and maintain and far safer on the road. Most people aren't racing drivers so rear wheel drive would be ridiculous for most road cars. Double clutch automatics are the way forward, they are faster than you, they are more economical than you and they don't wear out as quickly. AWD is better for putting power onto the road and for fast driving in low grip conditions.
I would pick the Toyota GT86 hands down no prob's. You can keep your little Clio RS 200 The GT86 will be much more fun to drive and looks much better as well.
The Clio seems more like a case of straighten up the software. A very minor quibble. The Toyobaru triplets need some help on basic handling and overall speed, and that needs to happen real fast before competitors arrive thinking GM, Nissan, and recently KIA. Sorry, I'm not buying the drift car angle of this car.
Is the Versa is based of the Clio?
Simple:
GT86: looks, durability, handeling, driver's car, instant classic, collectors value
Clio: cheap hothatch, not so appealing looks, deff not a collectors car, 1.6 turbo will wear out fast and sensitive for gearbox/turbo/engine failure.
To recall 3 million of their cars proved that Toyota is actually very reliable company. Normally, no one will notice an airbag problem until it's too late. Any dishonest company would've just look away and pretend that the problem didn't exist.
The renault is all about how fast can go attack the corner while GT86 is how much fun u can get from a corner .......
Renault measure by lap time
GT86 measure by smile per gallon
Razvann> You can't rank cars with bhp. Otherwise any diesel car remapped @ 1000+ hp would become hypercar. That's non-sense.
BrunoG> One can't say this new C4RS is the best of the category. It depends on what one's searching for.
I love hot hatches, but 3 doors only, with brembos, racing styling design bucket seats and manual gear. My 3 contenders were corsa opc/punto abarth/ibiza cupra. ibiza gearbox and opc interio plastic failed. 4 me C4RS is not top of the line: nothing matches my criterias.
the old manual clio RS also had the beep when you had to change up!!
So actually you don't give an order to change gear, it's just a suggestion and the software change gear or not... hummm, that's silly...
Did you read what I wrote?
I agree with you, a manual is more fun, and you dont need a semi auto for that type of cars, I just said that for real track car or racing car, a good semi auto is just faster...
The Clio might be a decent car to drive, and perhaps more practical, but if I had to make a decision, I'm rolling with the GT86....I wouldn't even give the Clio a second thought, but that's just me.
Renault has got the best chassis for FWD. These cars are the best supermini in europe. No questions asked.
Look who hold the FWD Record on the nurburgring, and behind what cars.
what are you talking about? The beep is the best thing...
Manual gearbox, prettier, will be more reliable, rear wheel drive, near 50/50 weight distribution, doesn't bleep when u bounce off the red...no contest at all
How many owners of cars u know keep theirs for more than 5 years? We all know the low resistance tires are not for fuel saving. Its to get back the low back traction for u could drift. With sports cars, once u got this, u wanna try that. The cycle goes on. Sure the GT86 if great now. Whats down the road? There will be a lot of wrong category cars that will be better than it. The Clio is a good example. It doesn't even take 2 years.
Peoples want to see a head 2 head against the previous Clio 3 RS!
well...the truth is that a 991 as nearly same power to weight ratio of a dbs and the zonda nowadays has at least 600bhp. so id put the 911 in the sports car market. the dbs is in the middle between sportscar and gran tourer. every zondas is an hypercar.
Well,... its Steve Sutcliffe opinion... I have to have mine and drive both!
But usually I focus in the engine and on the gearbox, so I think the Clio RS will get my attention, until the GT86 hasn´t a better engine and a better gearbox.
I'll take the GT86 thanks, it looks better (in my humble opinion) and drives better. The Clio will be fast, torquey and fun as a result I'm sure. The shift beeps on the Clio are annoying a hell, does it even happen when it's in 'race' mode?