Renault Clio Renaultsport (2009 – 2013) Review
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Renault Clio Renaultsport (2009 – 2013) At A Glance
One of the best hot hatches around, great handling and poise.
Very hard ride is uncomfortable, not enjoyable to drive in traffic.
Test of 2008 Clio 197 Cup at RenaultSport Clio 197 Cup 2008 Road Test
Reviews for Renault Clio Renaultsport (2009 – 2013)'s top 3 rivals
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Renault Clio Renaultsport (2009 – 2013) handling and engines
- Engines range from Renaultsport 200 to Renaultsport 200 Cup
- Readers report Real MPG to be between 24–33 mpg
Is the RenaultSport Clio Cup hard core, or soft? On the one hand it makes you suffer. It has no aircon, just an ordinary CD/radio and no fancy bits at all. You even have to reach over and wiggle little stalks to adjust the door mirrors.
The exhaust note assaults your eardrums. Maximum power and torque both come very high in the rev range, at 7,250rpm and 5,550rpm. The gearing is very low at just 20mph per 1,000rpm in top, so it drones trying to cruise at 70mph. And if you’ve been feeding your bottom a bit too much you might find it won’t fit into the narrow Recaro seats.
Instead of little luxuries it gives you 0-60 in 6.6 seconds, third gear acceleration that won’t feel too slow on a track day, sharp steering and excellent Brembo four pot calliper 315mm cross drilled front disc brakes.
Yet, tootling round town, variable ratio power steering makes it a doddle to park, the variable valve timing chain cam engine pretends to be a pussycat, and even the ride quality is acceptable.
What I like about it is that everything is there for a reason rather then for show. The vents in the front wings really do help the brakes to cool. The bib and optional spoiler help keep it tucked down onto the road. As the car speeds up, the steering sharpens up, and lets you know which wheels are gripping. You can fling it around like an expert, even if you aren’t.
And that’s the whole point. It’s a track day fun car you can sensibly use on the road without suffering the privations of, say, an Elise or a Caterham driver.
It doesn’t compete with the MINI Cooper S because that’s an altogether more refined and luxurious type of machine. It’s more focused than a Focus ST. Less gitty than a Golf GTI. Harder edged than a Honda Civic Type R (though the ride quality is actually better). The Clio 197 Cup is aimed at the same kind of bloke who bought a Mini Cooper S forty years ago, even though his haircut will be different. I’d guess its closest real competitors are the Fiesta ST185 Mountune. And perhaps the much more expensive MINI Cooper S John Cooper Works.
| Engine | MPG | 0-62 | CO2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Renaultsport 200 | 35 mpg | 6.9 s | 190 g/km |
| Renaultsport 200 Cup | 35 mpg | 6.9 s | 190 g/km |
Real MPG average for the Renault Clio Renaultsport (2009 – 2013)
Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.
Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.
Average performance
86%
Real MPG
24–33 mpg
MPGs submitted
18
Renault Clio Renaultsport (2009 – 2013) interior
- Boot space is 288–1038 litres
- Euro NCAP rating of five stars
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4017 mm |
| Width | 1768 mm |
| Height | 1484 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2585 mm |
It came to pass that rather than a couple of drives to the auctions and a quick blast through the lanes, I got stuck with a RenaultSport Clio for more than 500 miles of motorway. And, with the police alert spoiler on the back, that meant an unconvicting 70mph at 3,500rpm.
It wasn’t purgatory. The ride quality and damping didn’t reacquaint me with my breakfasts and I could turn the radio up to drown out the drone. One peculiarity of my car was it insisted I was only averaging 25 – 26mpg when, in fact, checking 354 miles of brim to brim, I managed 32.9, very close to its official combined figure of 33.9mpg.
So it’s livable with. I forgave the wobbling passenger door mirror and the hatchback’s occasional reluctance to unlatch. (Actually it was wobbling because it had become unstuck and a firm push fixed that little problem.) The optional Recaro seats were very comfortable. The sharp steering enabled quick lane changes to assist HGVs wanting to overtake other HGVs.
Renault Clio Renaultsport (2009 – 2013) models and specs
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4017 mm |
| Width | 1768 mm |
| Height | 1484 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2585 mm |
| Miscellaneous | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight | 1240 kg |
| Boot Space | 288–1038 L |
| Warranty | 4 years / 100000 miles |
| Servicing | 12000 miles |
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| List Price | £17,135–£21,835 |
| Insurance Groups | 30–31 |
| Road Tax Bands | J |
| Official MPG | 34.5 mpg |
| Euro NCAP Safety Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Adult | 5 |
| Child | 4 |
| Pedestrian | 1 |
| Overall | 5 |
On sale until January 2013
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 200 3dr | £18,135 | 34.5 mpg | 6.9 s |
| 200 Cup 3dr | £17,135 | 34.5 mpg | 6.9 s |
On sale until April 2012
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 200 Raider 3dr | £21,835 | 34.5 mpg | 6.9 s |
Model History
April 2009
Clio Renaultsport launched in two versions: Clio Renaultsport 200 Cup and Clio Renaultsport 200. New, more aggressive design with F1-style frontal aerodynamics, new alloy wheels and rear diffuser. Independent steering axis front suspension with revised suspension and steering settings for the standard and Cup chassis. More powerful engine with improved low-down torque, economy and emissions. Best power-to-weight ratio in its class (166hp per tonne). Extensive personalisation choices with interior and exterior colour options available through the Renault i.d. programme. UK launch 15th May 2009 with first deliveries from end of June 2009. Priced from £15,750 on the road.
As with the Clio Renaultsport 197, compared to the standard Clio, the wings are 30.5mm wider to accommodate the wider front and rear tracks which have been extended by 48mm and 50mm respectively. The more aggressive frontal styling incorporates a new, generously-sized, low-positioned air intake, designed to feed cooling air to the normally-aspirated 200hp 2.0 16V engine.
The sills, extractors and wider front and rear wings all highlight the performance credentials of Clio Renaultsport 200 which features Renaultsport's new styling cues in the form of the Renault i.d. Design Pack: a two-tone colour scheme based on a choice of Gloss Black or Anthracite finish for the front bumper centre section and blade, door mirror housings and rear diffuser. The diffuser now incorporates more visible twin exhaust tailpipes. A new design of alloy wheel completes the revised appearance.
Clio Renaultsport 200 sees the introduction of a brand new, exclusive Alien Green pearlescent paint finish. The pearlescent Liquid Yellow returns to Clio Renaultsport 200 after only being available previously on the limited-edition Clio Renaultsport 197 F1 Team R27. Mercury also becomes available for the first time joining the Glacier White, Ultra Red, Racing Blue and the metallic Albi Blue, Nimbus and Deep Black.
June 2010
Clio Gordini 200 announced, based on the Renaultsport Clio 200, priced £19,650 on the road, first deliveries July 2010. The Renault Clio Gordini 200 will appeal to the ever-growing number of drivers who are looking for a luxurious and sporting small car with an unmistakable French flair:
Clio Gordini 200 features a Renault i.d. Malta Blue metallic finish with twin white racing stripes on the bonnet, roof and tailgate, in keeping with its famous predecessors. The front bumper is enhanced with a gloss black centre section and white F1-style ‘blade’. The door mirrors are also highlighted in white. This exclusive exterior styling package is completed by 17-inch Gordini alloy wheels with a polished face and black inner rim. ‘Gordini Series’ badging finishes the exclusive exterior design.
The same Gordini spirit continues inside thanks to Renaultsport seats in dark grey leather with blue details and Gordini-embossed logo. Blue detailing continues on the gearlever gaiter and Gordini-badged gearknob. The steering wheel is finished in blue and dark grey leather with two white stripes to indicate the centre point. The fascia features a white rev counter and the effect is completed with black gloss finish to the centre console, fascia inserts and air vent surrounds.
A plate shows the build number of the 500 exclusive examples that will come to the UK.
- a choice of two bespoke chassis – Clio Gordini 200 has a standard ‘sport’ chassis, but the Cup suspension is available as an option,
- ‘Perfohub’ front suspension featuring an independent steering axis front arrangement that guarantees traction and steering accuracy in all circumstances
- Powerful, fade-free braking with Brembo callipers
- a high-performance, naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre engine generating 200hp
In addition, Clio Gordini 200 features climate control, curtain airbags, anti-submarining airbags, automatic headlight and wiper activation, cruise control, speed limiter, ESC, 4x20W radio-CD with Bluetooth hands free system with fingertip remote control and multifunctional TunePoint with USB connection, heated and electrically folding door mirrors, double optic headlamps with additional cornering lights, Renault hands free card for automatic unlocking and engine start, height and reach adjustable steering column and extra-tinted rear windows.
Customers can personalise their Gordini 200 with a choice of two other exterior colours. Pearl Black is available with white Gordini stripes or Glacier white with anthracite Gordini stripes and anthracite for the door mirrors and front blade. Should a customer wish, the Gordini stripes can be deleted. Customers can also choose from Gordini wheels with a blue inner rim (£100), Cup chassis (lower ride height, stiffer springs and dampers, red finish to the Brembo brake callipers, quicker steering rack - £410), Carminat TomTom satellite navigation (£460), rear parking sensors (£310) or electric panoramic glass sunroof (£615).
July 2011
‘Silverstone GP’ limited edition on sale. Renault UK has an existing relationship with Silverstone, the country’s most famous motor racing circuit and home of the British Grand Prix, through a fleet of Renaultsport trackday experience cars and the venue for several of the performance division’s trackdays, so it was only natural that the French marque took it as its latest inspiration.
The RenaultSport Clio Silverstone have been specifically created for the UK market, still the largest home of Renault’s hot hatches worldwide, with only 50 available. The top-of-the-range Clio Renaultsport 200 comes in at £19,995. With a wealth of extra equipment over the standard Renaultsport versions on which it is based, this limited edition offers exceptional value-for-money, combined with added exclusivity.
It has a purposeful stance sitting on lowered Cup Chassis with a striking combination of silver metallic paint and contrasting ‘Deep Black’ details, including 17” ‘Speedline’ alloy wheels, roof and door mirrors. Completing the exclusive look it also features extra-tinted rear windows and Silverstone GP B-pillar badges inscribed with the new grand prix circuit map.
On the inside, the RenaultSport Clio Silverstone boast a unique numbered interior plaque (1-50), Renaultsport Monitor onboard performance tracking system and grey and black Renaultsport carpet mats. The Clio also features Renaultsport Recaro front seats, Bluetooth and multi-functional TunePoint for portable music players.
The RenaultSport Clio 200 Silverstone GP limited edition is available to order at £19,995 on-the-road.
September 2011
Renaultsport announced Clio Renaultsport 200 Raider, an exclusive limited edition. With a wealth of extra equipment over the standard Renaultsport version on which it is based, this is a limited run of just 50 cars for UK customers.
Raider is finished in matt Renault i.d. paintwork. The choice of matt Stealth Grey or Diavolo Red is contrasted by a gloss black finish to the roof, rear spoiler, F1-style front blade, rear diffuser and door mirrors. This gloss black finish is also applied to the 18” ‘Interlagos’ alloy wheels, one inch larger diameter than the standard 200 wheels. These are fitted with Bridgestone RE 050A tyres, as used on the Megane Renaultsport 265 Trophy. Cup chassis is standard featuring a lower ride height, stiffer springs and dampers, quicker steering ratio and red finish to the Brembo brake callipers. The exterior finish is rounded off by extra-tinted rear side and tailgate windows and a Raider badge.
Inside, leather upholstered Recaro seats are complimented by the zinc grey finish to the centre console and fascia inserts. Contrasting with this is a white rev counter. Bluetooth, USB connectivity, automatic climate control and Renaultsport carpet mats are also fitted. A numbered plate identifies the number in the 50 production run. Customers can order their Raider with a no cost choice of either Renaultsport Monitor – Renaultsport’s on-board telemetry system – or Carminat TomTom Live satellite navigation.
What to watch out for
Report of timing belt of limited edition 2010 Clio RenaultSport Gordini failing at 24k miles causing catastrophic damage to the engine. The garage has indicated it requires a new engine at a cost of £7,500. So advice is to ignore the 6 year/60k mile change interval and change timing belt and waterpump at 4 years.
08-11-2017:Report of erratic operation of drivers and passenger's electric windows in 2010 Renault Clio Sport Tourer. Do not open/close smoothly and sometimes get stuck open. Owner beleives can be fixed by replacing the control module (eg www.renaultwindow.co.uk). Might be solves by loweting the windows and appluoing silicone grease to the insides of the window channels.
