I tried the Mini, DS3R, and Corsa VXR. I finally went for the DS3R. To say it isn't punchy is a outright lie. It will bang your head on the headrest through the first 4 gears, and pull away quite easy in 5th. The finish is the best out of the lot, inside and out.
Started to watch Evo after having Chris Harris mentioned a few times on Jalopnik and on FastLaneDaily. Great review, and even I can appreciate the reviews and the cars as an american.
hey Chris, solid work on that ferrari rant at jalopnik. i'm sure your words will shake the ground at maranello. as usual, great review. keep it up man.
Yes! Loved it! This is proper automotive journalism! And Chris, a Porsche Club Motosport jacket?! You are really a Porsche enthusiast! :) Cheers to EVO!
Thanks! Finally a complete review by Harris. I think Chris Harris and Tim Schrick (I think this latter chap is the best but he speaks German) are the best car journalists in the world.
Let's await for the New Clio RS with a fantastic Dual Clutch gearbox. For now I can tell you that I tested personally all this cars and my favourite is the VW Polo GTI, fast response due to the supercharger combined with the turbo (no lag) and a ultra fast shifting. The chassis maybe not so good as the clio, but we don´t always drive on the limit of the bends, to use that extra advantage, but you always need a fast throttle response. For ex: the polo in a standing start is as fast a Mini JCW.
agreed. I think the manufacturers are modest with the numbers because i tried the 0-100km/h test in my 120VTi DS3 and according to Citroen it takes 10.5sec but i get 9.1.
umm 7.3 from 0-60mph for the DS3-R? I think that is for the DS3 DSport THP 1.6 with 156ps. I'm pretty sure the 0-60mph time for the DS3-R is around the 6.5 second mark.
Had a Punto Evo Abarth - 180BHP. Felt pretty fast until I bought my DS3R. 20BHP more than the Abarth but a lot less weight. The DS3R absolutely flies!!
@scoobeydoooo. yeah i agree. i own a 200cup and i personally prefer the looks. but alot of people think it,s ugly. but it,s not till you see it in person where it,s stance and width looks menancing.
Does anyone know if the Clio RS is dependable, my experiences with Renault have left me with quite a bad taste in my mouth reliability-wise and wonder if they've sorted themselves out?
@Dunkhelzan. according to renasultsport 200cup is 6.4 to 62. but i,m happy for it to do 7sec to 62 allday long. diffrent surface, diffrent weather you,ll get diffrent times.
I have a 197, & love it... though I think that it sounds like the DS3 is just waiting for the engine to satisfy the chasis... I am sure that I have heard that somewhere before! Why does the Clio not have 250 hp?
@Joke9972 Just so you know i own a clio rs 200. have had it for 2 years and didn't have any problems with it, exept some loose bolt in the door that made some noise when i turned the volume near maximum. Renault sport models are made in France and are engineered by renault's F1 team. They aren't made to fall apart. There must be some with problems but all in all they are have an engine that works spot on
... It depreciates less than the others. The engine noise is better. It is my opinion but at the same time its fact. If you want a car just for the driving experience then take the RS200. If you want to drive to drive a car that looks quite chavved up then the VXR is the car for you. If you are in the older generation category and you dont care about driving experience then its the Polo GTI(disappointed its only available in DSG). Mini JCW has all round features.
The Renault Clio RS is very good, but with the DSG 7 speed gear box from the VW Polo would be much better! I love technology and fun of driving! And for the critics of DSG gearboxe I only say to them, I had a Clio RS and I change it for the VW Polo! I don't know if you drive both as long as I did... or if you are like me and love technology...
@RazvanRO That is true, their engines are very good, no doubt about it, Volvo has been using them for years. Most problems concern electronical devices, or things that hang around the engine. But the heart itself, the Renault engines, just go for miles and miles.
Chris Harris, the VW Polo is doll?! Ok... but it is a very funny doll! And I know, because I have one and I it replaced a Clio RS! Is like a bike with 4 wheels, what a gearbox! What an engine!
A lot of more fun, because you don´t need to do the hard job of shifting all the gears in perfection. And so you can enjoy more the driving and shift the gears at same and keep the engine where you want. I know this dual clutch gears put a good driver at a level of a professional one, that have a lot of practice with both foot. And in competitions even Pro's use semi-auto gearboxes. Embrace the future (Lambo, Bugatti, Pagani, Ferrari).
What you're saying then, Chris, is that the DS3 and Mini have the same transmission... but not. Hmm.... Ratios make for different characteristics, of course. And a traded shifter and some exhaust tweaks could give the Citroen some Mini-ness. Personally I like the DS3 since it's never going to come here to America. It's a greener-grass situation. The stickers do need to go, though, or at least saved for the buyers as dealer-installed a la Scion. The Mini does have better visibility, though.
Don't worry with corners, Polo also has ESP and electronic differential (not the same as a mechanical LSD, but not bad). Once again technology give me the skills of a pro driver. Ok... I'm a "fake" driver, but at least I'm a fast one, with a lot of fun for less hard work driving.
yes it sure the clio is made for tracks , the other cars are much comfortable. i prefer an old good atmo engine but try to get some results on tracks you will see the clio is behind in time attack
I cant believe that none of the critics have search on why the ds3 is so expensive! the reason is cause Citroen wanted quality material, so all the carbon parts are for example made at ferrari!
Clio brilliant. However the Racing is a much nicer car to live with. And boring as that sounds, when we buy a hot hatch it is a practical car nine tenths of its life. The Racing will also give me 50 to the gallon at 65 on the motorway. But at the same time making manoeuvring around other vehicles both safe and fun. My car has the short shifter which works well. Long gearing is strange, a throwback to cars in the past where it was seen as a positive. Anyway I am very happy with my Citroen.
The Renault will give you problems all the way, the Citroën might give you problems with electronics, the Polo is not quite good value for money (but he'll keep it), the Mini's interior is still Toysaurus, I wouldn't know what to choose. I like the looks of the DS3 the most. To me it would either be the Polo, the Opel, or the DS3.
If you just listen to the specs the clio sounds like an old EK or EG civic type r , still the type r would run circles around everything in this test on a track .
Certain facts need to be addressed. Citreon DS3R and Mini Cooper JCW does 0-60 in 6.5. Renault Clio 200 in 6.9. Vauxhall Corsa VXR in 6.8 and Polo GTI in 6.9. My opinion on the issue... Mini JCW is pound for pound the best out of the range. It's the quickest/fastest car to have. The interior is much more focused than the other hatches. Ok, it's not the best to drive, that goes to the RS200, but it's better than the others.
Ok! Santa have it as you like and be happy with your great Clio RS, and keep it for ever, because the future is in the direction of the VW Polo (see the future Clio RS). By the away I had a better car than your Clio RS, which was a Honda Integra Type R, and I only wish that he had a DSG gearbox and TSI (Turbo + supercharger + Direct Injeccion) technology in that engine, to be a better weapon. But a EVO X or a Nissan GT-R are my next goal! I love to be the superman, easy above demanding driving.
i,ve had 0-60 in 6.4sec in my 200cup. but it all depends on tyres,surface,air pressure,weather,driver. but CHRIS HARRIS is the dogs bollocks so i,ll take his word that those are the specs he got that day. another day diffrent times maybe.
how come the 0-60 figures he stated are different from everything I've heard so far? over 7 seconds for the clio? official figure is 6,9 7,5 for the corsa? 6,8 official figure Anyway I'd pick the clio even if it had 20 bhp less ;)
Well a few months on and there is another consideration...there are a number of delivery mileage DS3 Racings around from £19,000 and THAT makes a big difference. If you want a pire driving machine then the Renault clearly wins because Chris Harris does know what he is talking about but..would you drive it every day..with the poor build rattling, the unforgiving ride, the base ball cap image?...er nope. The Mini is good but rides like brick the DS3 is just a far more rounded car..a friend indeed
@santclause1 I totally know what you mean. Like a girlfriend/wife, I don't choose a car so that it looks good to others as long as it satisfies my needs. However, I would have to slightly disagree with 1 thing. I don't think the Clio RS looks that bad :)
the clio struggles agaisnt the Mini.....well its french ofcourse it will lol tbh i would take the clio if it wasnt just another "car" but Mini will always be a Mini! legend!
What?! It's a nice car, but the price is out of this world - where I live (central Europe) u have 2 pay about 30 k euros for it because it's a limited run production or sth, whereas u can have a similarly performing Polo GTI or a Clio RS for less than 20 grand. And I doubt the car of it's class will appreciate anytime soon. What I'd do is have the 1.6 THP 156 PS do a bit of chiptuning, add a larger intercooler and have a nice DS3 for way less money than the Racing.
I wish we got cool cars in the US. Why don't we get Citroen , or Renault, or any of the other euro cars? We don't even get all the VW line up. Even our Honda civics are watered down.
Clio Is The best hothatch since the wiliams and still....with all the rs and the next RS williams 237 hp....wait and see Clio RS is a reall driving machine
200 cup offical 0-60 is 6.4. the normal 200FF is 6.9. the 200 with cup chassis is 6.9 confused yet? the real 200cup is 50kg lighter, 27% stiffer. got shorter/quicker steering rack. this clio in this vid is a 200 with cup chassis. they also don,t have headrests in the back. options on mine was stereo and ac.
Ok. You like it difficult. I don't mind to have a excellent help of a amazing gearbox, fast than a professional driver, and with that I can appreciate more the driving and speed. By the away, the RS has a better tuned chassis, but it doesn't means that the Polo chassis is rubbish. And in some tracks the Polo is faster. So it's a matter of choice. I don´t see any Clio RS passing me one the track days... maybe the clio RS drivers can match the DSG fast shifting...
Clio RS is too perfect, too well sorted, too damn smug for it's own good. That's why I hate it...I'm still waiting on Mazda to make a hot hatch of their 2 for this section of the class.
Yeah great that a DSG makes you shift faster than a PRO. but when your car hasn,t been developed to have a great chassis. it don,t matter if you can shift faster than a pro. because at some point you will come across a corner. and your car will yelp like and old spaniel. and more likely end up in an edge.
The renault clio is simply in another league, awesome machine.
7.3'' is the time of ds3 1.6 turbo 156hp not the ds3r. the ds3r time is 6.5''.
there's also a video on youtube of the DS3R where it did 6.0 seconds 0-100
that's what I thought. very poor for such a quality review person like haris
And here we are DS3 is the one that aged the best
I tried the Mini, DS3R, and Corsa VXR. I finally went for the DS3R. To say it isn't punchy is a outright lie. It will bang your head on the headrest through the first 4 gears, and pull away quite easy in 5th. The finish is the best out of the lot, inside and out.
The DS3 is the nicest looking out the lot and it also has excellent performance.
Recently bought a white DS3 Racing. Brilliant car!
James Snelling would you still recommend after a year? Looking at one myself
DS3 Racing is best looking outside and inside and for good price
Can agree more, always fantastic job by EVOTV and Chris. Continue like this couse is perfect! Cheers.
Tiago from Portugal,
Evo is the best car magazine in the world. I am a subscriber for life!
Started to watch Evo after having Chris Harris mentioned a few times on Jalopnik and on FastLaneDaily. Great review, and even I can appreciate the reviews and the cars as an american.
hey Chris, solid work on that ferrari rant at jalopnik. i'm sure your words will shake the ground at maranello. as usual, great review. keep it up man.
Yes! Loved it! This is proper automotive journalism! And Chris, a Porsche Club Motosport jacket?! You are really a Porsche enthusiast! :) Cheers to EVO!
Thanks! Finally a complete review by Harris.
I think Chris Harris and Tim Schrick (I think this latter chap is the best but he speaks German) are the best car journalists in the world.
I love this car!! Just bought one! Sooo much fun to drive!!
Great great review of five nice cars, good job CH
@QaisRAK Saxo VTS, 306-6, 206 rc, 205 gti, not to mention rally versions of many cars :)
Let's await for the New Clio RS with a fantastic Dual Clutch gearbox. For now I can tell you that I tested personally all this cars and my favourite is the VW Polo GTI, fast response due to the supercharger combined with the turbo (no lag) and a ultra fast shifting. The chassis maybe not so good as the clio, but we don´t always drive on the limit of the bends, to use that extra advantage, but you always need a fast throttle response. For ex: the polo in a standing start is as fast a Mini JCW.
agreed. I think the manufacturers are modest with the numbers because i tried the 0-100km/h test in my 120VTi DS3 and according to Citroen it takes 10.5sec but i get 9.1.
umm 7.3 from 0-60mph for the DS3-R? I think that is for the DS3 DSport THP 1.6 with 156ps. I'm pretty sure the 0-60mph time for the DS3-R is around the 6.5 second mark.
fun fact: the Porsche 911 Carrera of the time had a 0-60 time of 5 seconds. Today's fastest Mini Cooper needs 5.2 seconds.
2011 porsche carrera has a 0-60 time of 3.8sec.
@@oleksandrshulha7451 Not sure which model you're referring to but the base 997/2 was specified at 4.9s (4.7 with pdk)
Clio,Ds3,Mini,VXR and Polo
I swear the clio can do the 0-100 (0-62) sprint in 6.9 ???
Nicest looking cooper S that I have ever seen!
not many test drives with the DS3 ... good video
Had a Punto Evo Abarth - 180BHP.
Felt pretty fast until I bought my DS3R. 20BHP more than the Abarth but a lot less weight. The DS3R absolutely flies!!
@scoobeydoooo. yeah i agree. i own a 200cup and i personally prefer the looks. but alot of people think it,s ugly. but it,s not till you see it in person where it,s stance and width looks menancing.
Does anyone know if the Clio RS is dependable, my experiences with Renault have left me with quite a bad taste in my mouth reliability-wise and wonder if they've sorted themselves out?
@Dunkhelzan. according to renasultsport 200cup is 6.4 to 62. but i,m happy for it to do 7sec to 62 allday long. diffrent surface, diffrent weather you,ll get diffrent times.
EVO is back :)
I have a 197, & love it... though I think that it sounds like the DS3 is just waiting for the engine to satisfy the chasis... I am sure that I have heard that somewhere before! Why does the Clio not have 250 hp?
How would you compare it to the equivalent fiat punto/abarth punto?
whats YT on this video's title?
@Joke9972
Just so you know i own a clio rs 200. have had it for 2 years and didn't have any problems with it, exept some loose bolt in the door that made some noise when i turned the volume near maximum. Renault sport models are made in France and are engineered by renault's F1 team. They aren't made to fall apart. There must be some with problems but all in all they are have an engine that works spot on
thumbs up for "effervescent" at 2:14. kids, you've learned a new word today. As usual, Chris Harris rocks.
24 grand for a small Citroen is a good price?
... It depreciates less than the others. The engine noise is better. It is my opinion but at the same time its fact. If you want a car just for the driving experience then take the RS200. If you want to drive to drive a car that looks quite chavved up then the VXR is the car for you. If you are in the older generation category and you dont care about driving experience then its the Polo GTI(disappointed its only available in DSG). Mini JCW has all round features.
The Renault Clio RS is very good, but with the DSG 7 speed gear box from the VW Polo would be much better!
I love technology and fun of driving!
And for the critics of DSG gearboxe I only say to them, I had a Clio RS and I change it for the VW Polo!
I don't know if you drive both as long as I did... or if you are like me and love technology...
@RazvanRO That is true, their engines are very good, no doubt about it, Volvo has been using them for years. Most problems concern electronical devices, or things that hang around the engine. But the heart itself, the Renault engines, just go for miles and miles.
Please do a new 2014 Hatch Back vid as many cars as in this Vid, Thanks ;D
Thanks Clio for kicking every arse possible out there! ;-)~
Chris Harris, the VW Polo is doll?!
Ok... but it is a very funny doll! And I know, because I have one and I it replaced a Clio RS!
Is like a bike with 4 wheels, what a gearbox! What an engine!
A lot of more fun, because you don´t need to do the hard job of shifting all the gears in perfection. And so you can enjoy more the driving and shift the gears at same and keep the engine where you want. I know this dual clutch gears put a good driver at a level of a professional one, that have a lot of practice with both foot. And in competitions even Pro's use semi-auto gearboxes. Embrace the future (Lambo, Bugatti, Pagani, Ferrari).
How much is the Clio?
@PX54. you can,t spec up a cup. it,s a cup for a reason. track work.
What you're saying then, Chris, is that the DS3 and Mini have the same transmission... but not. Hmm....
Ratios make for different characteristics, of course. And a traded shifter and some exhaust tweaks could give the Citroen some Mini-ness. Personally I like the DS3 since it's never going to come here to America. It's a greener-grass situation. The stickers do need to go, though, or at least saved for the buyers as dealer-installed a la Scion. The Mini does have better visibility, though.
No one can beat Chris Harris as a car journalist, it's just so interesting to listen to him that you say, he must be true.
Amazing car review thanks.
great review keep it up
You drive at 60mph in 2nd gear????
Why?
the clio 200 does 60 in 6.6,timed by evo mag so it faster than the rest
Interesting reviews. I like him.
Chris Harris is brilliant!
great review!!!
i like this guy, knows his stuff :)
yes apart from his 0 to 60 times pmsl!
White Balance is way off here. Nevertheless good Video.
Don't worry with corners, Polo also has ESP and electronic differential (not the same as a mechanical LSD, but not bad). Once again technology give me the skills of a pro driver. Ok... I'm a "fake" driver, but at least I'm a fast one, with a lot of fun for less hard work driving.
You remind me of Joey from Friends with that Porsche nerd jacket.
yes it sure the clio is made for tracks , the other cars are much comfortable.
i prefer an old good atmo engine but try to get some results on tracks you will see the clio is behind in time attack
You mesure your 0-60 where and how ? ^^
I cant believe that none of the critics have search on why the ds3 is so expensive! the reason is cause Citroen wanted quality material, so all the carbon parts are for example made at ferrari!
are you driving in Wales?
Clio brilliant. However the Racing is a much nicer car to live with. And boring as that sounds, when we buy a hot hatch it is a practical car nine tenths of its life. The Racing will also give me 50 to the gallon at 65 on the motorway. But at the same time making manoeuvring around other vehicles both safe and fun. My car has the short shifter which works well. Long gearing is strange, a throwback to cars in the past where it was seen as a positive. Anyway I am very happy with my Citroen.
The Renault will give you problems all the way, the Citroën might give you problems with electronics, the Polo is not quite good value for money (but he'll keep it), the Mini's interior is still Toysaurus, I wouldn't know what to choose. I like the looks of the DS3 the most. To me it would either be the Polo, the Opel, or the DS3.
If you just listen to the specs the clio sounds like an old EK or EG civic type r , still the type r would run circles around everything in this test on a track .
Certain facts need to be addressed. Citreon DS3R and Mini Cooper JCW does 0-60 in 6.5. Renault Clio 200 in 6.9. Vauxhall Corsa VXR in 6.8 and Polo GTI in 6.9.
My opinion on the issue... Mini JCW is pound for pound the best out of the range. It's the quickest/fastest car to have. The interior is much more focused than the other hatches. Ok, it's not the best to drive, that goes to the RS200, but it's better than the others.
The DS3 Racing is 207bhp and 0-60 of 6.5sec not "7.3sec just behind the mini"!
he is totaly AGREE! Renault Clio RS rocks!
Ok! Santa have it as you like and be happy with your great Clio RS, and keep it for ever, because the future is in the direction of the VW Polo (see the future Clio RS). By the away I had a better car than your Clio RS, which was a Honda Integra Type R, and I only wish that he had a DSG gearbox and TSI (Turbo + supercharger + Direct Injeccion) technology in that engine, to be a better weapon. But a EVO X or a Nissan GT-R are my next goal! I love to be the superman, easy above demanding driving.
i,ve had 0-60 in 6.4sec in my 200cup. but it all depends on tyres,surface,air pressure,weather,driver. but CHRIS HARRIS is the dogs bollocks so i,ll take his word that those are the specs he got that day. another day diffrent times maybe.
Who is driving the car at 5:37 ?
Weird ...
The Clio would absolutely crush the other cars on the track, its a fact.
@edmaluf HAHA I was thinking the same. Chris is an outstanding journalist
Black and orange one looks better IMO
@CorsaArctic312 and on jcw too..
how come the 0-60 figures he stated are different from everything I've heard so far?
over 7 seconds for the clio? official figure is 6,9
7,5 for the corsa? 6,8 official figure
Anyway I'd pick the clio even if it had 20 bhp less ;)
This Guy looks worried when he talks to us, makes me worried too...
Well a few months on and there is another consideration...there are a number of delivery mileage DS3 Racings around from £19,000 and THAT makes a big difference. If you want a pire driving machine then the Renault clearly wins because Chris Harris does know what he is talking about but..would you drive it every day..with the poor build rattling, the unforgiving ride, the base ball cap image?...er nope. The Mini is good but rides like brick the DS3 is just a far more rounded car..a friend indeed
@santclause1
I totally know what you mean. Like a girlfriend/wife, I don't choose a car so that it looks good to others as long as it satisfies my needs. However, I would have to slightly disagree with 1 thing. I don't think the Clio RS looks that bad :)
Yeah I thought the clio 197 to be so good.....I bought one :)
were is the MiTo
Curious... Chris says that he is a BIG DSG fan but this time he ended up saying that ''it takes you away from the action''
the clio struggles agaisnt the Mini.....well its french ofcourse it will lol tbh i would take the clio if it wasnt just another "car" but Mini will always be a Mini! legend!
One sweet Porsche jacket. I bet he didn't pay a single pent for it either.
because on track the clio 200 cup would murder them all.
What?! It's a nice car, but the price is out of this world - where I live (central Europe) u have 2 pay about 30 k euros for it because it's a limited run production or sth, whereas u can have a similarly performing Polo GTI or a Clio RS for less than 20 grand. And I doubt the car of it's class will appreciate anytime soon. What I'd do is have the 1.6 THP 156 PS do a bit of chiptuning, add a larger intercooler and have a nice DS3 for way less money than the Racing.
CLIO RS 4 life!
Chris Harris is such a great car reviewer.
@yoshidis4 well it still has the pedigree so its not pos or whatever ur calling it lol
Mini and every other car manufacturer should never go from supercharger to turbo.Turbo kills the pleasure of driving
I wish we got cool cars in the US. Why don't we get Citroen , or Renault, or any of the other euro cars? We don't even get all the VW line up. Even our Honda civics are watered down.
Clio Is The best hothatch since the wiliams and still....with all the rs and the next RS williams 237 hp....wait and see
Clio RS is a reall driving machine
Its like he said in the video, the clio is best drivers car. nothing more.p.s take it to k-tec racing for a remap.
Fastest car isn't always the best , proven many times berfore , Proves it with the RS200 Clio
200 cup offical 0-60 is 6.4. the normal 200FF is 6.9. the 200 with cup chassis is 6.9 confused yet? the real 200cup is 50kg lighter, 27% stiffer. got shorter/quicker steering rack. this clio in this vid is a 200 with cup chassis. they also don,t have headrests in the back. options on mine was stereo and ac.
I think I'll just run off and get myself an original Mini...
Why is chris harris such a great car reviewer?
A Factory JCW MINI has a 0-60 of 6.5 doesn't?!
Ok. You like it difficult. I don't mind to have a excellent help of a amazing gearbox, fast than a professional driver, and with that I can appreciate more the driving and speed. By the away, the RS has a better tuned chassis, but it doesn't means that the Polo chassis is rubbish. And in some tracks the Polo is faster. So it's a matter of choice. I don´t see any Clio RS passing me one the track days... maybe the clio RS drivers can match the DSG fast shifting...
@thanatas Its big !!!
Clio RS is too perfect, too well sorted, too damn smug for it's own good. That's why I hate it...I'm still waiting on Mazda to make a hot hatch of their 2 for this section of the class.
Yeah great that a DSG makes you shift faster than a PRO. but when your car hasn,t been developed to have a great chassis. it don,t matter if you can shift faster than a pro. because at some point you will come across a corner. and your car will yelp like and old spaniel. and more likely end up in an edge.