Renault Clio Renaultsport 197 and Honda Civic Type R
Wooohooo! There are no better explanations or demonstrations of what hot hatchery is all about than the Clio 197 and Civic Type R. Given the berries, this dynamic duo will put 0-100km/h away in under seven seconds and can reach top speeds on the high side of 220. Obviously, adequate performance is not a problem.
Nor is razor-sharp handling... Although the Renaultsport 197 is the only third-generation Clio sold in Australia, it tops a long line of mild mannered siblings in France. After the Renaultsport division finishes tweaking the steering, suspension, brakes and almost everything else, the born-again Clio has the consummately talented driving dynamics to do full justice to its ripper drivetrain.
Unlike its banzai Japanese cousin, which is based on the regular four-door Civic sedan, our UK-built Type R is a rivetingly graphic three-door hatch.
It also differs in using a moderately less spirited engine (losing 17kW and 22Nm in the translation from Japanese Type R to Euro) and torsion beam rear suspension instead of the Japanese independent system.
But make no mistake, the Type R is one seriously sporty four-seater. As is the Clio 197, except it seats five.
Although Renault asks $800 for metallic paint, where Honda charges $300, the Clio's an initial price is $36,490 against the Civic's $39,990. The 145kW Renault has a tad less maximum power than the 148kW Type R, but its 215Nm torque is more muscular than the hot Honda's 193Nm. And that effect is enhanced by the 197's 125kg weight advantage.
As expected for cars of their calibre, these two thoroughbred chassis provide wonderfully engaging handling, great steering, disciplined body control and almighty powerful stoppers. They carve through corners like electric knives through a juicy Sunday roast.
Both are slick-shifting six-speed manuals, with no optional auto. The Honda has 18-inch wheels, its rival 17s. Both are very well equipped with a raft of inviting creature features, including proper supersports front seats and the full gamut of electronic driver aids.
Both also rate highly for crash-safety, with the NCAP five-star Renault including class-exclusive kneebags to supplement the usual six front/side/curtain airbags.
The Honda is the larger of the two, not least in luggage and fuel capacities. Mind you, the Clio officially has the better fuel economy (8.4 v 9.2L/100km), and throws in a tighter turning circle (11.4m v 12.3m) as a bonus.
Then again, taking the long view, where the Clio 197 has prospects of a decent 62 per cent value retention, the Type R lifts the class record to a whopping 71 per cent.
WHICH ONE?
It's a toss-up, for sure. Even allowing that both models go like stink and drive superbly, the contest is exceedingly close from every angle.
The Clio Renaultsport 197 costs less, weighs less, makes more torque, and has proven five-star safety status. The performance is gob-smacking, the driving dynamics terrific. The attractively presented interior is emphatically sporty without resorting to exaggerations. And, for better or not, the whole package is perceptibly French, of course.
The Civic Type R's Anglo-Japanese parentage is reflected in its slightly de-tuned engine and arguably previous-generation rear suspension. You'd never know it from the performance and handling, though.
As an entity, the Type R is the real deal and can hold its own against all comers. Distinctive individuality is assured by the stand-out body, seconded by the boldly presented ultra-sports interior.
Heads or tails?
See also
» Mazda 3 SP23 and Golf Pacific FSI (more here)
» Citroen C4 2.0 VTS Coupe and Astra 1.8 SRi Coupe (more here)
» Alfa Romeo 147 Monza 2.0 and Volvo C30 2.4i (more here)
Article by Mike McCarthy. Updated 2009 by the Carsales Network