Renault Clio RenaultSport 200 Turbo EDC Lux review
We love the turbocharged engine and EDC transmission, but it would benefit from even stiffer suspension and firmer seats
Renault often refers to the R-Link system as a tablet, and to that end even provides a number of apps you can use. The most notable one plays the exhaust note from a specific car, such as the previous Renaultsport Clios, with the sound rising and falling in volume in response to your driving. It’s a neat app, but one that can quickly become tiresome.
An option that sadly wasn’t enabled on our car is Renaultsport Monitor 2.0, a telemetry system that presents drivers with information such as engine speed, power and torque in real time. Apparently, it also shows G-force, and lets you save screenshots of the G-force diagram to a USB drive. It sounds fun, and we can see it being a popular option.
PRICING
Prices for the Clio Renaultsport 200 Turbo EDC Lux start at £19,995 on the road and rise as you add various options, such as the £695 Cup chassis on our review car. Other options include a £350 rear parking camera and £1250 leather seats; for a full list of options consult your local Renault dealer or use the Renault car configurator.
Its insurance band is 29E, and according to the DVLA website road tax will cost just £140 per year at the standard rate.
CONCLUSION
If you want a blisteringly powerful, hardcore hot hatch, the Clio Renaultsport 200 Turbo EDC Lux is not for you. However, if circumstances are forcing you to buy a practical car but your heart is demanding fun, you should give Renault’s latest some careful consideration. It’s economical, as long as you aren’t tearing up tarmac in race mode, and it looks prettier than a regular Clio, but one press of the RS button and this quiet supermini provides dramatic acceleration.
The Alfa Romeo MiTo QV is a prettier alternative. It’s not as powerful as the Clio RS 200 Turbo EDC, and it’s a little smaller, but its turbocharged engine can still provide excitement and we think the MiTO’s a bit more fun in corners. Should you want a practical rear-wheel drive sports car, you could pay a bit more for the Toyota GT86, although you would miss out on a turbocharger, and we prefer the Clio’s boot.
We like the Clio RS 200 Turbo EDC Lux. The exterior looks great, there’s plenty of room for passengers and luggage and we love the EDC transmission and different performance modes. However, we would prefer firmer seats, firmer suspension and nippier response at lower revs.
To test drive the Clio RS 200 Turbo EDC Lux, contact your local Renault dealer.