Quote: Originally posted by ESCOBAR on 27 June 2005
It seems to me that lots of new cars in the clios class are coming out with turbos etc. Why is it Renault is slow to respond? I take it having a turbo in a production clio is a no go on stock models. Dont know much about engines etc but was wondering if anyone could tell me why Renault havent developed one for the clio. It just seems that the clio is so limited in what can be achieved post production that the few bhp gain to be had is outweighed by the significant cost.
Anyone to enlighten me to why we are missing out ?
What exactly are we missing out on? The 172/182 blows away every single car in its class for pure speed and acceleration, and not only that but the all important handling is generally regarded as the best by some distance as well.
Why do we need a heavy turbo lump added to the mix? As far as I am concerned Renault is ahead, not failing to respond, we have the stupendously good 172/182 (which many people take for granted, a 2.0l car weighing just over 1000kg outputting 170/180bhp for £7-13k, still nothing touches it), the V6 (which nobody else would dare release as a production car) and now the Megane 225 is really coming good with some fantastic models (Trophy and Cup). I dont see how the Clio is lagging behind at all, especially as Im sure most people enjoy the handling qualities over the outright pace of the car on a more regular basis, its certainly why I have my Cup.
I dont know of any other supermini that is out or is coming out that is truely a threat, unless that Corsa VXR ever surfaces, its bound to be quick as hell but I would put my balls on the line and say a Clio would still take a corner quicker. More likely is that you are trying to compare it to what we are used to the Clio being compared to, the Focus ST170s, the Honda Civic Type Rs etc. The Clio isnt lagging behind, its so far ahead that we and the press actually feel confident to put the little bloody thing up against cars that should be laughing at a Clio. Those other manufacturers need to raise their game, hence the Astra VXR, the new Focus ST etc which finally appear to be getting performance on a par with what a car that size (and price) should be acheiving.
