Clio Sport 182
I have not owned many cars in my short lifetime.
A classic Mini, a deranged Smart Car and now something I never expected to see in my garage, or rather parking space outside - A Renault Clio Sport.
The hunt began after I wrote off my beloved yet much hated Smart Fortwo courtesy of a over-indulgent Porcupine the size of a toddler. The search was bitter and sweet ranging from absolutely ragged Peugeot 206 GTI's, to Smart Forfour's and even a orange Fiat Grande Punto. The Renault was a stab in the dark though, a false hope after a weekend of disappointment and it was the best stab in the dark I have ever mustered.
The car itself is silver, a 2005 model purchased with 134 000km on the clock - Today I completed my first 2000km in it and whilst still a bit jumpy I am absolutely besotted with the damn thing.
Its chunky and it throws its weight around like a proper badass but something I have noticed and possibly miss is just how conventional it is, just how normal it is, just how unnoticeable it is. Nobody stares anymore except for the occasional VR6 owner or petrol attendant uttering a simple 'Hau, its a two litre?". Its just a normal Clio with nice wheels, flared bumpers and an attitude problem. The differences are subtle like the xenon headlights, the small sports spoiler, the slightly bossier ride height and the badging.
Inside the trend differs slightly, the seats, door cards and interior is laced in alcantara and leather dished up with a thick steering wheel and some of the most supportive bucket seats I have ever experienced and it needs them - The Clio Sport handles like a Go Kart. Forget MINI, forget even go karts, the Clio is staggeringly good, it holds the road, its stable at speed, its fantastic. Sharp twisties, no problem! I am blown away by the way this car handles corners, and how tail happy it is. At first a touch of understeer followed by some 3 wheel action, let go of the accelerator and its more than happy to let its rear end slide - the transition though is of utter control, its chuckable in more ways than any front wheel drive hatch should be.
The motor is accurate, its responsive and when you hit 4000rpm its like a rocket lights up on the back, it starts screaming, stuff shakes and the speedo klaps it from left to right in a manner that is uncanny, its stupidly quick and its silly fun. The steering is heavy, the clutch which I still cant grasp is mechanical, the brakes sharp and the steering feedback is excellent - My only complaint is the lack of feel in the brakes which feel like you are never pushing them hard enough despite the car stopping on a dime quite easily.
The engine is a gem, its so unrefined and playful. It idles like a truck thanks to the rather heavy cam, rev it and it sounds like a Polo Vivo but holy hell the induction noise is crazy at best, the cats stink if you nail it and it ticks like a grandfather clock if you dont let it cool down after a late night run. I absolutely love it.
But its French which means that unless you feed it frogs legs and french toast daily its going to have some quirks - Lets call it character, personality maybe?
The sound system is pathetic, the doors are tinny and there is no sound deadening, and I mean that, nothing! So I have already upgraded the door speakers, applied deadening and its a massive improvement. Its not that great on fuel averaging 8.5L per 100km if I drive it nicely and 11.2 if I am feeling spirited. The controls are superb, cruise control is stupid aggressive, the lights are brilliant, even the use of plastic fenders which make the car look like two shades of silver is cool, the whole package is nothing short of a bargain for R65 000 - Why would you want something else?
Overall I am a happy camper, its a Renault so I wasnt expecting it to be so good but I am chuffed as hell to say that while I have driven some spectacular cars ranging from MINI's, to BMW's, GTR's, Ferrari's and more I am positively proud and thrilled to own such a great piece of kit - Highly recommended!
Edit to add, I have decided to call it René, it suits it. Allo Allo!
Mike
A classic Mini, a deranged Smart Car and now something I never expected to see in my garage, or rather parking space outside - A Renault Clio Sport.
The hunt began after I wrote off my beloved yet much hated Smart Fortwo courtesy of a over-indulgent Porcupine the size of a toddler. The search was bitter and sweet ranging from absolutely ragged Peugeot 206 GTI's, to Smart Forfour's and even a orange Fiat Grande Punto. The Renault was a stab in the dark though, a false hope after a weekend of disappointment and it was the best stab in the dark I have ever mustered.
The car itself is silver, a 2005 model purchased with 134 000km on the clock - Today I completed my first 2000km in it and whilst still a bit jumpy I am absolutely besotted with the damn thing.
Its chunky and it throws its weight around like a proper badass but something I have noticed and possibly miss is just how conventional it is, just how normal it is, just how unnoticeable it is. Nobody stares anymore except for the occasional VR6 owner or petrol attendant uttering a simple 'Hau, its a two litre?". Its just a normal Clio with nice wheels, flared bumpers and an attitude problem. The differences are subtle like the xenon headlights, the small sports spoiler, the slightly bossier ride height and the badging.
Inside the trend differs slightly, the seats, door cards and interior is laced in alcantara and leather dished up with a thick steering wheel and some of the most supportive bucket seats I have ever experienced and it needs them - The Clio Sport handles like a Go Kart. Forget MINI, forget even go karts, the Clio is staggeringly good, it holds the road, its stable at speed, its fantastic. Sharp twisties, no problem! I am blown away by the way this car handles corners, and how tail happy it is. At first a touch of understeer followed by some 3 wheel action, let go of the accelerator and its more than happy to let its rear end slide - the transition though is of utter control, its chuckable in more ways than any front wheel drive hatch should be.
The motor is accurate, its responsive and when you hit 4000rpm its like a rocket lights up on the back, it starts screaming, stuff shakes and the speedo klaps it from left to right in a manner that is uncanny, its stupidly quick and its silly fun. The steering is heavy, the clutch which I still cant grasp is mechanical, the brakes sharp and the steering feedback is excellent - My only complaint is the lack of feel in the brakes which feel like you are never pushing them hard enough despite the car stopping on a dime quite easily.
The engine is a gem, its so unrefined and playful. It idles like a truck thanks to the rather heavy cam, rev it and it sounds like a Polo Vivo but holy hell the induction noise is crazy at best, the cats stink if you nail it and it ticks like a grandfather clock if you dont let it cool down after a late night run. I absolutely love it.
But its French which means that unless you feed it frogs legs and french toast daily its going to have some quirks - Lets call it character, personality maybe?
The sound system is pathetic, the doors are tinny and there is no sound deadening, and I mean that, nothing! So I have already upgraded the door speakers, applied deadening and its a massive improvement. Its not that great on fuel averaging 8.5L per 100km if I drive it nicely and 11.2 if I am feeling spirited. The controls are superb, cruise control is stupid aggressive, the lights are brilliant, even the use of plastic fenders which make the car look like two shades of silver is cool, the whole package is nothing short of a bargain for R65 000 - Why would you want something else?
Overall I am a happy camper, its a Renault so I wasnt expecting it to be so good but I am chuffed as hell to say that while I have driven some spectacular cars ranging from MINI's, to BMW's, GTR's, Ferrari's and more I am positively proud and thrilled to own such a great piece of kit - Highly recommended!
Edit to add, I have decided to call it René, it suits it. Allo Allo!
Mike
