ge5659555546731205742
ge5034580239750108885
ge4939948186207969671
ge4931071682669911641
ge5057413035228350531
Adam Davis28 Jul 2014
REVIEW

Renault Clio GT 2014 Review

Built to bridge the gap between standard and RS, the Clio GT is a contradiction

Renault Clio GT Premium
Road Test

On the face of it, the inclusion of the Clio GT in the Australian Renault Clio range makes sense, given the positive reviews the Megane GT received in 2013. But the Clio GT is a different kettle of fish, missing out on the power upgrade of its larger cousin. Instead, the Clio GT focuses on a sporty look, high equipment levels (especially in Premium form) and some suspension tweaks from the RS engineers. And you do pay a premium – at $28,790 (plus on-road costs) the Clio GT Premium is only $500 than the Clio RS 200 EDC entry point.

After acquainting myself with the Renault Clio GT, I’m a little perplexed. What is it trying to be?

Firstly, there’s the updated, sporty look. The front bumper incorporates wide-set LEDs and is complemented by a diffuser-style rear section, housing twin exhaust pipes, and a RS-style rear spoiler. Satin grey highlights, along the door bottoms and for the exterior mirrors mesh nicely with specific 17-inch anthracite alloy wheels.

It’s stylish without going overboard… but then you notice the drum rear brakes and economy-specification Michelin Primacy 3 rubber and it becomes less GT and more shopping trolley.

The contradiction continues with the hardware. Renault went to the extent of having their gun RS engineers fiddle with the suspension tuning, increasing both front and rear spring rates by five per cent, and the damping by some 50 per cent up front and 40 per cent in the rear, over the standard machine.

They have also installed a version of RS Drive for the Getrag-sourced, six-speed dual-clutch transmission, incorporating a Sport mode to reduce gearshift times to only 170ms, with improved steering and throttle response thrown in.

With that kind of attention to detail, you’d expect that – like its big brother, the Megane GT – the Clio GT would receive a power boost. Instead, it makes do with the standard 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol four-pot and its 88kW/190Nm output. The numbers may be fine in the entry-level Clio, and it works well enough in city driving here, but the chassis is crying out for more power. But we are getting a little ahead of ourselves…

Inside the Clio GT Premium is quite lavishly appointed; it’s clear that the focus was more on higher-end equipment levels than performance here. The GT logo adorns the sculpted, heated front leather seats and there’s a pleasing dark metal finish to the steering-wheel mounted gearshift paddles.

R-LINK satellite navigation with a 7.0-inch touchscreen (which also functions as a reversing camera) comes standard in GT Premium, as does a fixed glass sunroof. Arkamys provides the audio system with its Bluetooth streaming capability, and of course there’s climate control air-conditioning and keyless entry and start.

The Clio GT also has cruise control with a speed limiting function. Curiously, when cruise is engaged, sport mode cannot be selected. Overall, the interior ambience lifts the Clio GT over the similarly-engined Dynamique and goes some way to justifying its $5000 price increase over a vehicle which does city so well.

Out on the road, the immediate impression is of the diminutive engine’s relatively strong low- and mid-speed response. It’s when you venture beyond about 30 per cent throttle, however, that lethargy becomes apparent. Renault claims 0-100km/h in 9.4sec, which frankly doesn’t cut it in a car with supposed GT aspirations. And it feels every bit as slow as that sounds.

As ever, the dual-clutch gearbox works well enough once you are up and going, though a lack of full manual over-ride can grate when exploring some of the curvier roads that should see the hunkered-down GT suspension tune come into its own.

Over bumps, the ride is definitely stiffer than the standard car; in fact, it’s almost RS levels of harsh over larger deflections. The chassis nevertheless feels taut and responsive with solid grip levels available, particularly in dry conditions.

On slipperier surfaces, the lack of feedback through the variable electric steering rack means you are never quite sure if the front-end is going to bite, and there appears to be less traction on offer than the standard car, likely due to that big increase in front end stiffness; it will even spin up an inside front wheel on wet tarmac, which is quite a feat given the lack of accelerative force.

Braking, a pre-drive cause for concern with those drums so obvious on the rear axle, is in practice quite strong, with nice progressive pedal feel and good retardation. In this day and age, however, and given the market segment, drums really should be left in the past.

Of course, Renault isn’t the first car-builder to plump for a warmed-over image builder in this class. Ford’s quiet introduction of the engaging three-pot Fiesta S and the Citroen DS3 are after a similar market space, and offer their own stylistic and dynamic enticements.

But the Clio GT’s biggest competition comes from within. Unless you are a real fan of leather trim, glass sunroofs and looking at your car’s stance reflected in shop windows, it is difficult to recommend the GT over the better-riding and sweeter Dynamique. If you favour real performance, spend another $500 and grab yourself an entry-spec Clio RS.


2014 Renault Clio GT Premium pricing and specifications

Price: $28,790 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol

Output:
88kW/190Nm
Transmission: Six-speed dual-clutch
Fuel: 5.2L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 120g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star EuroNCAP

What we liked: Not so much:
>> High equipment levels >> Priced too close to Clio RS
>> Exterior blend of sportiness and style >> Lethargic engine performance
>> Capable chassis >> Drum rear brakes
Share this article
Written byAdam Davis
See all articles
Our team of independent expert car reviewers and journalistsMeet the team
Expert rating
67/100
Engine, Drivetrain & Chassis
13/20
Price, Packaging & Practicality
12/20
Safety & Technology
16/20
Behind the Wheel
13/20
X-Factor
13/20
Stay up to dateBecome a carsales member and get the latest news, reviews and advice straight to your inbox.
Download the carsales app
    AppStoreDownloadGooglePlayDownload
    App Store and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.
    © CAR Group Ltd 1999-2024
    In the spirit of reconciliation we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.