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 Australia’s fiercely competitive hot-hatch segment is about to heat up following the introduction today of the new Renault Sport Megane dCi
175 and Clio 197 models. The two cars are suited to very different
buying tastes but both end up at a nexus of high-performance,
practicality and affordable pricing that has come to define the Renault
Sport range.
Renault’s Renault Sport (RS) line of hatchbacks has a long history of setting a high standard for affordable performance and practicality, but increased competition from Ford, HSV, Volkswagen, Mazda and more will mean the new French cars will need to pull out all stops if they hope to succeed.
Clio Renault Sport 197 - a pint-sized powerhouse
The engine in the petrol-fuelled Clio Renault Sport 197 is based on the unit that powered the widely applauded Clio II RS 182. Its 2.0-litre, four-cylinder and 16 valve design generates 145kW at 7,250rpm and 215Nm of torque at 5,550rpm.
Special tuning of the intake and exhaust port lengths, which Renault credits to its Formula One program, are the primary source of the increased power output over previous generations of the engine. Highly aerodynamic valve seats, special cam profiles and redesigned combustion chambers and piston heads improve flow as well. The combination of high-flow intake and exhaust scavenging results in a volumetric efficiency above 100%, meaning the car effectively displaces more air than its 1,998cc volume would allow under normal conditions.
A new six-speed manual gearbox also makes its debut, sending power to the front wheels.
The high-output powertrain lets the Clio RS 197 accelerate to 100km/h in just 6.9 seconds, the engine note building as the revs climb. Tuned for comfortable but aggressive sound at lower rpms, the volume and urgency increase toward the 7,250rpm redline, where the engine’s trademark ‘bark’ becomes pronounced.
Handling and safety both top-notch
For improved handling, the 197 sports both a longer wheelbase and a wider track front and rear than the standard Clio III. The 10mm longer wheelbase yields more high-speed stability while the 48mm wider track allows greater cornering force to be generated. Being 15mm lower means the car resists roll better as well, offering even more performance when cornering. A unique front suspension system nearly eliminates torque steer while firming ride and reducing roll. The front torsion beam also gains stiffness, up 25% over the standard Clio III’s unit.
Aerodynamics benefit from the immense Formula One budget of the Renault motorsport program, generating 40kg of downforce at track speeds without the use of a rear spoiler. Instead, the Clio relies on a very efficient rear diffuser under the car. Inside, the sporty interior focuses on utility and style. Charcoal cloth seats are accented by a leather sport steering wheel, aluminium pedals and red centrepoint stitching.
Five-star EuroNCAP ratings are complemented by an array of eight airbags throughout the cabin. Seatbelt pretensioners, anti-lock brakes and a sport-tuned ESP system that can be completely turned off for track use add to the safety of the car’s structure.
Megane Renault Sport dCi 175
Unlike the Clio, the Megane uses the torque-rich power of diesel to offer bruising performance in a compact package. The more luxurious equipment standards also step the Megane beyond the sport-focused Clio.
Though the car outputs just 127kW from its 2.0-litre turbocharged common-rail diesel engine, torque peaks at 360Nm and is available from 2,000rpm for strong mid-range pulling power. Maximum power arrives at just 3,750rpm, though the variable geometry turbocharger ensures the power band is as broad as a typical turbocharged petrol engine.
One of the benefits of using diesel to power the Megane RS is the excellent fuel economy. At just 6.3L/100km and 165g/km of carbon dioxide, the oil-burning hot-hatch offers fair environmental performance as well as outright pace.
The chassis is the same basic package already offered in the Megane RS 2.0 Turbo, with the ‘cup chassis’ suspension striking what Renault believes to be a fair balance between daily drivability and high-grip handling. Exterior styling is also identical to its petrol cousin, though the RS dCi 175 is available only in five-door format and without a rear spoiler.
Safety and equipment suitably high-spec
Like the Clio, the Megane scores five starts in EuroNCAP testing, and also features sport-tuned ESP, anti-lock brakes. Dual front, curtain and side front and rear airbags are also standard equipment.
The more luxury-oriented cabin of the Megane RS features a driver interface with leather trimmed interior, leather trimmed steering wheel and gear knob and aluminium pedals. Comfort is enhanced with climate control air conditioning while automatic xenon headlights, rain sensing wipers and cruise control take some of the burden off the driver in highway cruising. A six-stack in-dash CD player with satellite controls provides the soundtrack, and other common features such as electric windows and door mirrors and front and rear fog lights complete the package.
Pricing and availability
Both cars are priced within the market’s tight demands, with the Clio RS 197 starting at $36,490 and the Megane RS dCi 175 starting at $39,990. Available options for the Clio include metallic paint ($800), xenon lights ($1750), 6-CD stacker ($800), and a panoramic electric glass sunroof ($1890). The Megane’s only option is metallic paint, priced at $800. Both come standard with a three-year/100,000km warranty.
Renault Clio RS 197 gallery
Renault Megane RS dCi 175 gallery
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