Renault Clio RS 200 EDC 2015 Long-Term Test

Long-Term Tests
motoring.com.au aims to make your choice of vehicle easier. Our Editorial section does this via our mix of news, international and local launch reviews as well as our seven-day tests.

From time to time we also take the opportunity to spend more time in a vehicle. These longer-term tests can be as short as a couple of weeks, but more recently we've settled on a six-month period as indicative of 'normal' ownership.

Long-term tests give our staff writers and contributors a chance to get to know a car as an owner would. While the car is with us, we pay for fuel, pay for the servicing and generally use and live with the car as a new owner would.

We believe long-term tests give car buyers an added insight into the vehicle on test, but also the qualities behind the brand and nameplate. The extended period also allows us to touch base with the dealer networks in question.

It comes as no surprise that manufacturers tend to have a love-hate relationship with long-term tests. Six months is plenty long enough to fall out of love with the latest and greatest, and start to nitpick -- just like real owners do.

Renault Clio RS 200 EDC Cup

Our enjoyment of Renault's baby hot hatch, the Clio RS 200 EDC, has been well documented. But what's it like to live with?

When the EDC – for Efficient Dual Clutch – first came on-stream, it was clear that Renault was targeting a slightly different market than with its predecessor, also confusingly called RS 200. But while their names were similar, the driving experience is quite different.

While the previous generation was a high-priced slow-seller, there was a pervading feeling that, given its prodigiously focused and fun driving experience, you were getting enthusiast value for money.

It was available in Australia only with the Cup chassis, was two-door only and its 7750rpm 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated four-pot begged you to snatch the next gear via its short-ratio, short-throw six-speed manual gearbox. Brembo brakes slowed you, Recaros hugged you. It was perhaps the epitome of the hot hatch genre.

Its replacement, the car you see here, followed the base Clio into a more practical realm. Downsized and turbocharged in the engine compartment, the new Clio RS also eschewed its manual gearbox for a dual-clutch with column-mounted paddle shifters.

Now five-door, with a usable boot and the promise of substantially improved torque and fuel economy (though it delivers 0.5kW less than the previous model), the latest Clio RS nevertheless loses a lot of premium performance equipment. Goodbye Brembo, goodbye Recaro… hello $4700 cost saving.

For reference, the Cup here retails for $31,790 (plus ORCs), whereas the previous retailed at $36,490 in 2013.

The new car has also been criticised for flimsy build quality, so we will be keeping a sharp eye on any issues throughout the test's duration.

Upon the Clio's delivery at motoring HQ, its first task was to accompany me on the varied driving requirements of a Christmas break as part of the Davis family. That meant three days straight, loaded to the hilt with gifts and lap-held baked creations as well as an over-active three-year-old in a booster seat.

Beyond that, there would be trips to the Mornington Peninsula for some house hunting and a new year's eve trip to Mount Buller's summit, with some light-duty gravel roads thrown in for good measure (to secret trout fishing spots). There was also a bout as photography vehicle for our XR8 versus SS megatest, which included some on-track action with Luke Youlden behind the wheel.

Watching Luke squeal around our test facility, it was apparent that the diminutive Clio fell into turn-in and power understeer when pushed over its limits. But for the lairy types among us, a mid-corner lift would unveil some of the previous car's tail-happy attitude. Not great for lap-times or longevity, but nice to know there's still some adjustment there.

Back on the highway, the level of road noise was a touch disconcerting, as well as the climate control's inability to quickly deal with Australian summer heat; thankfully, 'our' Clio isn't trimmed in the leather of the up-spec Trophy, instead using fabric that stayed cool in comparison.

As a Christmas load-lugger, the Clio RS did the job with unexpected aplomb, the easily accessible boot storage a particular highlight.

Through traffic, the EDC-equipped Clio RS was less highly-strung than its predecessor, which required constant clutch dipping and revs. Now, the little Renault can glide along on a wave of torque as the gearbox slurs shifts comfortably.

Throughout my time with the car, it did have a couple of slow-speed manoeuvring hissy fits, but otherwise was nicely functional. Up the ante, as you are encouraged to do by the car's taut chassis and feelsome brakes, and the column-mounted paddles and snap-shifts of race mode come to the fore.

With an audible beep dictating shift points, the Clio RS proved quick at the top-end, but it's the mid-range where it shines. It did lose points for sounding like a Hoover, however, with little in the way of an exhaust note. It's also less efficient than the 6.3L/100km ADR Combined claim, returning 8.2 during my time with it.

Find a relatively smooth road, however, and the Clio's keen steering response and well-developed chassis come to the fore.

In terms of ride, there was no doubting the Clio was stiff… almost too much on the roads around Mount Buller, where a car that can breathe with the surface is preferred to maintain grip and traction over bumps. The stiff ride was of course exacerbated on rutted gravel, where the constant jarring proved painful for passengers, though my daughter enjoyed the bounce.

It was also apparent that a lot of dust was permeating through the climate system into the cabin, and the door jams were also filled to the brim with the stuff.

Another small niggle was the lack of consistency with the smart key, which would rarely allow touch access. I've heard of some Megane RS owners having similar problems, so it is something we will keep an eye on.

When I handed back the keys, I was impressed overall, but perhaps for different reasons than I expected. The new Clio RS is no longer raw and incisive; it is by comparison a slow burner.

Regardless, its vastly improved practicality, keener price and edgy styling have proven to be more popular. It's all down to what matters to you personally, but the market, it seems, has spoken.