Renault Clio RS 200 EDC 2015 Long-term review - 2

There’s no logical way of disputing the contention the latest RenaultSport Clio is a better car than what has come before it. Trouble is that pesky beast emotion can often get in the way of logic, especially when it comes to cars.

So what if the latest Clio hot hatch is faster, more efficient, cheaper and more practical than its predecessor? If the old car holds a special place in your heart then good luck to anyone trying to chisel it out of there using a rational argument or three.

And that’s the problem I have with the Renault Clio RS 200 EDC Cup – phew – that has recently arrived for an extended stay at motoring.com.au.

I have great memories of previous RenaultSport Clios, dating back to the first drive of the relaunched range in Australia way back in 2001. Snapping through the gears on an Adelaide Hills back-road, revving the frenetic 2.0-litre out to 7000rpm and loving the super-quick steering and nimble handling.

Fast forward a few years and an evening run through the Strathbogie Ranges in central Victoria in a Clio RS 200 Cup Trophee – they love a long name don’t they – renewed acquaintances and my affection for the breed. Still frenetic, just faster.

Along with the RS Meganes, the hot Clios have long been the band of gold that has shone out in the darkness that was the mainstream Renault range.

Now, the Clio RS has become more mainstream just when the mainstream Renault range is starting to come good.

Instead of tight little three-door with a manual gearbox and a rev-happy naturally-aspirated engine, the Clio has gone five-door, downsized with a turbocharged 1.6 and swapped the manual for an EDC – Efficient Dual Clutch – six-speeder.

So now there is a torquey flexibility down low and a smooth auto shift that is only hesitant at tip-in throttle. The combination delivers strong performance including frugality, with our week-long trundle returning 8.3L/100km. The primary downside is a soundtrack that’s replaced snap, crackle, pop with more of a whoosh, blurt, sigh.

And now there is no need to flip the front seats forward to squash people in the back – and there’s more room now so it isn’t so bad.

And there is 300 litres of boot space too. Fold the rear seats down and you will fit a full-size mountain bike, with the front wheel removed.

The taut ride provided by the combination of stiffer Cup chassis and 18-inch rubber is probably the dynamic aspect of the new car that is most familiar.

The electric steering lacks true feel but is sharp as a razor and doesn’t kick back on rutted corners. You can commute in this car every day, not something that I’d fancy in previous generations. The main issue from a practical point of view is poor visibility from the driver’s seat. Parking sensors and a reversing camera would help.

The interior is another reminder of how much change has gone into this latest generation Clio. The tablet at the top of the centre stack helps reduce the button epidemic, but the signature Renault radio plinth remains on the steering column (it works well) and the manual – not electric – parking brake is a reminder that some things stay the same.

Seats are supportive, there is a left footrest, a reach and rake adjustable steering wheel with a flat bottom and the distinctive RS red trim throughout the cabin, including seatbelts.

Of course, the performance level can be screwed up from Normal through Sport to Race. It’s in the latter where the drivetrain is at its keenest and the manual shift – made via rather plastic-feeling paddles – allowed to bang away on the rev limiter that this car comes closest to emulating its predecessors.

Then the Clio really feels at home on a winding valley highway or mountain back road. Even so, there’s a level of connection and rawness that’s departed. If you’ve never driven them you won’t miss it. If you have driven them, then you’ll notice the difference. Whether it puts you off is another issue entirely.

Logic says it shouldn’t…

2015 Renault Clio RS 200 EDC Cup pricing and specifications:
Price: $31,790 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 147kW/240Nm
Transmission: Six-speed dual-clutch
Fuel: 6.3L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 144g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

Related reading:
>> Renault Clio RS 200 EDC Cup Long-Term Introduction