Reanultsport Clio 200 - A real world hero blog on Evo Community by Adam Shorrock

REANULTSPORT CLIO 200 - A REAL WORLD HERO

January 27, 2012 5:51 PM | Posted By: Adam Shorrock
Rated 5.0 out of 5.0 by 1 member | 10 Comments | 6726 Views
Related Categories: Random car stuff

I’m not a road tester, but over the past three and a half years of evo employment I have been fortunate enough to drive a lot of cars, over 300. Out of these cars, there have been some extraordinary ones, Mercedes SLS AMG, Ferrari 360 Stradale, Lamborghini Murcielago LP640, Ariel Atom and even Richard Meaden’s Porsche Carrera 964RS. Now, I’m not trying to sound like a bragging spoilt arsehole, I’m trying to state that despite driving so many cars, I still remember the real good’uns.

Now, I could be accused of being a Renault fan boy since I co-own a Renault Clio Williams. But, I honestly believe that the Renaultsport Clio 200 is one of those good’uns that I’ve had the pleasure to drive. Mr. Dobie was lucky enough to run a 200 as a longtermer for a year from August 2009. I had some awesome drives in that car, a Renault trackday at Spa Francorchamps, Belgium was a particular highlight as was driving around the Isle Of Skye during eCoty 2009.

And I had the opportunity to revisit this great car and some fantastic memories this morning thanks to a Renaultsport Clio 200 Raider. The Raider is largely the same as the standard Clio 200. It has a mega matt grey or red paint option, bigger wheels, is on Bridgestone rubber and has Raider badges on it. The driving experience is largely the same from what I remember. The engine’s power delivery is brilliantly progressive, the steering is still phenomenal, by being perfectly weighted and feelsome. The ride is still cruel on rutted roads and the bigger wheels probably don’t help, but on half decent roads the ride just feels detailed and communicative.

I took the twisty way to work (B645 and B660) and enjoyed every moment of it. It was so good that, as much as I didn’t want to stop the flow of the journey, I also wanted to stop to take some pictures.

I have the same feelings toward this car as I do for my Clio Williams. It’s a real hero in my eyes, as I’d say it’s actually better than the SLSs and Murcielagos, as I can fully exploit the potential of this car on an average UK road. Plus, there is the old argument that supercars/sport cars are simply too quick for the road and are very intimidating for us mere non-road tester mortals.

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COMMENTS

razorsharp at 12:50 PM February 8, 2012

Reagardin one comment bellow about dropping the Megane Trophy 265 engine into the Clio, not turbo please, proper engines are not turbo-ed, and cars are allready too fast, even normal ones.

patsy at 2:35 PM February 1, 2012

@s222ney: The sticker is straight, how about you?

s222ney at 1:27 PM February 1, 2012

Chassis dynamics and engines may (may not?) have moved on from the early 90's but that Raider branding looks like it belongs on a Clio from the Williams era. And for £22k, I'd expect the B-pillar sticker to be on straight!

stevegunnis at 10:14 AM February 1, 2012

I still think about my Clio Trophy most days, I really miss it and may have to get another (especially as they can now be had for £5K, I paid £13K for mine as it had 2000 miles on the clock). The 200 Cup would be my nearly new hot hatch of choice if I was after one now but I wouldn't even consider the Raider, £22K is an absolute joke for a FWD Clio, totally unjustifiable, it doesn't even have remote reservoir dampers! I like the fact you don't have to wash it though, as it always looks grubby.

Wireflyer at 9:12 AM January 31, 2012

No doubt that the Clio is a cracking little car. In terms of handling it is one of the most fun cars I´ve ever driven but the engine somehow leaves me with mixed feelings. On one hand it is fun to rev it to the red line but on the other hand it is just short of grunt below 5.000rpm. In everyday driving if you are caught in the wrong gear you will fall victim to every Golf TDI. Also the engine sound is not as vocal as let´s say a Honda VTEC engine and at motorway speeds just noisy and the gears to short. Still it just got 200bhp which is not much nowadays, just lacking the straight line pace. The price tag of the Raider is a joke compared to a Megane 250RS which comes close in handling but with just more firepower. Hey Renault...what about dropping the Megane Trophy 265 engine into the Clio that would be a hoot to drive!

rigidjunkie at 4:13 PM January 30, 2012

You have hit the nail on the head. There is a place and time for power and speed, problem is that time and place are fleeting and few and far between to the average person. More often than not there is a small hole in traffic a couple times a week where a lower powered car can jsut make it if you give it all its got. Those moments are what get me driving to work most days. Going from a Cooper to a WRX has jaded me a bit. I used to have to work to pass things and plan ahead to do dam near anything. Now I simply press the gas and move around things with ease. Switch to a back road and I find myself traveling a little faster, but with much less effort. Fun for sure, but not quite as satisfying. The joy of being on a track and clinging to the back of a car costing three times as much with double the power is gone, I am the guy now who can't seem to shake that underpowered car from my rearview all the while thinking why are they still there.

Gonk at 7:13 PM January 29, 2012

Not really sure on this....Seem to leave them standing and have more boot space! Ford, please, please, make a 4wd new RS! Ps I don't own a Ford or any "RS"

razorsharp at 3:49 PM January 29, 2012

I have tried Clio 200 and it was involving at slower speeds too, it is not just outright speed. GT UP will be too nose led(as usal with VW).

Overstier at 9:58 PM January 27, 2012

I think it's actually cars of the Williams' generation (or maybe a 172 at a push) that mark the end of 'real-world', if you like a drive that isn't defined solely by speed and grip. The average driver, on an average road, on a typical day, is taking big risks to excersise a Clio 200, and when not exercised, it's probably quite uncomfortable and boring. Cars get bigger and more abundant; roads are shrinkng relatively. A 90's sports car has never seemed more appealing. Maybe the GT UP will recapturing some of their magic?

Elliot_Newman at 9:52 PM January 27, 2012

I couldn't agree more Adam. I've had a RS 200 for nearly 2 years now and on the right road (fairly narrow, twisty) it's exceptional fun. And despite totally crap service from every main Renault dealer in my area - I still love it. I had a BMW 325 M Sport before this and it was BORING. For less than £20,000 the Renault is major fun. Will the new turbo version be as good?!

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