SA Road Tests

 

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This is the home of automobile road tests in South Africa. We drive South African cars, SUVs and LCVs under South African conditions. It also just happens that most of the vehicles we drive are world cars as well, so what you read here probably applies to the models you can get at home.

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*Please remember too, that prices quoted were those ruling on the days I wrote the stories

We get busy with the Renault Sport Clio 3

 

Clio 3 RS is all business

Published in The Witness Motoring on Wednesday November 11, 2009

Some cars are like household appliances; bland, boring, get the job done and last forever. Others go like hell, come loaded with electronic wizardry and are so efficient they’re instantly forgettable.

And some are perhaps more down to earth, have heart and soul, a little je ne sais quoi perhaps and endear themselves to you at first acquaintance. Kind of like your favourite tee-shirts-and-sneakers girlfriend. This, the second Clio lll Renault Sport (RS), is one of these.

Differences between this RS and the one that went before include an extra 2,5 kW of power, 20 percent more torque from lower revs and shortened gearing in the first three ratios. Before you think: “uh-oh, big gap between third and fourth!” fear not mes amis - there isn’t one. All six gears are nicely spaced.

Other changes include improved ride comfort thanks to softer double-effect dampers, more refined and direct steering with improved feedback and control and specially developed 215/45 R17 Continental Sport Contact 3 tyres.  These provide quicker and more precise steering response and 5 percent less rolling resistance. Even the alloy wheels are each 1 kg lighter.

Front and rear tracks have been widened by 48 and 50 mm and the wheelbase is 10 mm longer. The front anti roll bar is 1 mm thicker, while an independent steering axis layout reduces torque steer under acceleration.  At the back, the programmed deflection torsion beam has been reinforced by 25 percent and a new 30 mm anti-roll bar keeps everything tighter. Downforce is increased by up to 40 kg at 130 km/h, thanks to the rear diffuser introduced on the previous model.

Further additions for 2009 include cruise control with speed limiter, automatic climate control, cornering lights, electric folding mirrors, tinted windows and a combined rain/light sensor for automatic operation of headlights and windscreen wipers.

Performance claims include a top speed of 225 km/h, zero to 100 km/h in 6,9 seconds and fuel economy improved by 0,7 l/100 km.

The interior is youthful yet quite tasteful, with a pleasant combination of blacks and greys, the obligatory aluminium pedals and footrest and accent stitching on the leather steering wheel with its centre point marked in yellow. The yellow theme is repeated in the face of the rev counter that flashes a green light as you approach maximum revs. There is also an audible beep, just in case you aren’t paying attention.

Music is taken care of with a single-disc, six-speaker radio/CD unit accommodating iPod, auxiliary and flash drive inputs. Front seats are supportive and comfortable, with the driver’s chair being adjustable for height. Steering is adjustable for height and reach. Rear seat legroom is a little tight for the fully-grown, but there is enough headroom.

On the road, the Clio lll RS is all business. Suspension is firm but not harsh and steering is quick and positive with less torque steer than noted on the previous edition. Not that these were particularly problematic before, you understand. It is just more civilised, without erring on the side of wussiness. It still goes like Julius Malema away from a DA convention, with top gear roll-on from 90 km/h particularly satisfying.

My only serious gripe is that, because the rear diffuser steals boot space, there is no spare wheel. I recall previous models including a can of gunk in the glove box, although this was missing from the press car. The last time I approached a Renault dealer on the subject, I was assured that Renault Confiance would save the day, rushing a new and fully inflated wheel out to wherever one might be, day or night.

Sorry, guys, this is Africa and I belong with the “O ye of little faith” group. Gimme a spare. Overcome that one little problem and I will love you forever, just like my tee-shirts-and-sneakers girlfriend.

 The numbers

Price: R249 900, including advanced driver training

Engine: 1 998 cc 4 cylinder, naturally aspirated

Power: 148 kW at 7 100 rpm

Torque: 215 Nm at 5 400 rpm

Zero to 100 km/h (claimed): 6,9 seconds

Maximum speed (claimed): 225 km/h

Fuel economy: About 10,4 l/100 km in 310 km of real world testing

Tank: 55 litres

Warranty and Confiance package: 3 years/100 000 km

Service plan: 3 years/45 000 km

To read our report on the turbocharged 2014 Clio 4 RS click here

 

What We Do

This is a one-man show, which means that road test cars entrusted to me are driven only by me. Some reviewers hand test cars over to their partners to use as day-to-day transport and barely experience them for themselves.

What this means to you is that every car reviewed is given my own personal evaluation and receives my own seat of the pants judgement - no second hand input here.

Every car goes through real world testing; on city streets littered with potholes, speed bumps and rumble strips, on freeways and if its profile demands, dirt roads as well.

I am based in Pietermaritzburg, KZN, South Africa. This is the central hub of the KZN Midlands farming community; the place farmers go to to buy their supplies and equipment, truck their goods to market, send their kids to school and go to kick back and relax. 

So occasionally a cow, a goat or a horse may add a little local colour by finding its way into the story or one of the pictures. It's all part of the ambience!

 

Comments?

Want to ask a question, comment or just tell me you thoroughly disagree with what I say? That's your privilege, because if everybody agreed on everything, the world would be a boring place. All I ask is that you remain calm, so please blow off a little steam before venting too vigorously. Contact me here

 

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