Renault Clio RS 200 EDC launches

The long-awaited Renault Clio RS 200 EDC is now available in Australia priced from $28,790 and topping out at $36,790.

The compact five-door sports hatch is offered exclusively with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox (EDC stands for efficient dual clutch) and arrives locally three months earlier than planned thanks to a large number of pre-orders, giving buyers some early Christmas joy.

And it's still one of the best hot hatches in its class -- check out our first Clio RS 200 review on local roads and race track.

All models are powered by a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine that punches out a respectable 147kW/240Nm and streaks from 0-100km/h in just 6.7 seconds, two tenths of a second quicker than both the Volkswagen Polo GTI and Ford Fiesta ST, it's primary rivals.

The fiery Renault's top speed is 230km/h, but it achieves a claimed fuel economy of just 6.3L/100km.

As well as performance bragging rights, the new Clio RS 200 EDC will appeal to drivers who want an everyday vehicle, says Renault, by offering two chassis choices – Sport (all-rounder) and Cup (high performance) – in two trim levels, regular and top-spec Trophy.

Renault says about 60 per cent of buyers will opt for the more expensive and sharper handling Cup chassis, which features larger 18-inch alloy wheels, a 3mm lower ride height, and 15 per cent stiffer suspension.

Prices are as follows:
Clio RS 200 EDC Sport $28,790
Clio RS 200 EDC Cup $31,290
Clio RS 200 EDC Sport Trophy $34,290
Clio RS 200 EDC Cup Trophy $36,790

All models come as standard with a 7-inch touch-screen display with sat nav, Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, automatic headlights and rain-sensing wipers, cruise control, USB and aux ports and a four-speaker stereo.

Standard sporty features comprise red seat belts, red interior stitching and alloy pedals, plus a launch control system, electronic LSD and the push-button RS Drive system, which adjusts throttle, steering, gearshift and stability control levels via three settings.

Step up to the Trophy models and automatic climate control, heated leather front seats, six-speaker Bass Reflex stereo, reverse parking sensors and a rear-facing camera are added. The top-spec Renault Clio RS 200 models also get upgraded R-Link infotainment systems that can record car telemetry and display G-forces.

Renault Australia already has a "strong" order intake and expects to sell around 500 Clio RS 200s per year, with typical buyers being young males, says Renault Australia managing director, Justin Hocevar.

"If our early order intake on this car is anything to go by, it already represents a quarter of the annual volume that we did in the previous Clio 3 RS. These people haven't seen the car, didn’t know its pricing or spec, and haven’t driven it. So I'm pleased with the outlook on the car," he said.

Although the previous third-generation Renault Clio RS 200 was priced closer to $40,000, the new Clio RS 200 is not the most affordable vehicle in its class. That honour goes to the $25,990 Ford Fiesta ST.

However, Hocevar says the new Clio flagship will appeal to a wider audience than the Fiesta ST and offer greater comparative value.

"I think that when you really weigh up the spec, we're very well priced against this [Ford Fiesta ST] car.

"If you look at the price difference between three- to five-door, the fact we've got an automated manual transmission rather than pure manual, plus sat nav and launch control – if you add up the sum of those, I think you'll find it's a very good proposition," stated Hocevar.

The Renault Clio RS 200 EDC goes on sale nationally on December 12, 2013, and comes with a three-year 100,000km warranty along with three years of road-side assistance and servicing capped annually at $299 for that time.

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