Renault Clio 2004 Review

The three-door hatch is part of a new range of hot hatches from Renault, which includes a Clio Sport 182 Cup (add $2000 for stiffer suspension, lower ride height and charcoal-coloured wheels) and its bigger brother, the Megane turbo-charged Sport.

Revisions to the engine give the Clio Sport 182 an extra 7kW of power – now up to 131kW – and peak torque (200Nm) is reached at 5250rpm, 150rpm earlier than before. Now, 80per cent of this is available from 2000rpm.

Torque is noticeable underfoot in all gears, with fifth gear able to carry the car from lower speeds.

The Sport has a hotter exterior than the tamer Clio models and subtle changes from the previous model include the sporty twin exhausts that protrude from the rear and the different-coloured alloy wheels.

The twin exhausts produce a noticeably sporty note.

The five-speed close-ratio box takes a bit of getting used to but third and fourth gear encourage high-revving fun.

The wheelbase has been increased by 13mm and the track widened by 12mm at the front and 16mm at the rear. The greater track sees the Clio remain stable and have lots of grip under most driving conditions.

Under harsh acceleration on rough bitumen, the Clio will tend to torque-steer, though it's nothing that can't be controlled by a slight lift of the right foot.

The Cup provides even more grip than the standard 182 Sport. The stiffer suspension and lower ride height means there's minimal body movement, even under heavy load.

Larger bearings in the wheel hubs also contribute to increased stability in the Cup.

The lower position of the steering-arm attachment points sees the Cup react quicker and more decisively than the 182 Sport, with steering quicker as well.

Despite the firmer suspension and lower ride height, the Cup is no bone-rattler – the spring rate in the Cup has been increased by 20per cent, with matching damper settings for this version of the Clio providing even more incisive behaviour.

The rear spring rates have been stiffened by 15per cent and the damper settings by 10per cent.

Brake-wise, the Clio's 280mm vented front and 238mm solid rear discs do an admirable job but tend to fade slightly when used quickly and repeatedly.

The Clio's interior is a pleasant mix of quirky and sporty, with drilled pedals, sporty Alcantra leather seats and funky gauges.

The size of the boot was a pleasant surprise, with none of the weekly load of shopping having to ride shotgun.

The standard safety features include driver and passenger front adaptive airbags, driver and passenger side airbags, front and rear anti-intrusion side bars, an electronic stability program and latest generation anti-lock brakes.

Comfort features include remote-operated central locking, power windows and mirrors, air recycling and particle filter, height and recline adjustment on the front head restraints, leather steering wheel and height adjustment on the driver's seat.

The Clio Sport 182 also features six-speaker AM/FM stereo with single CD, cruise control with speed limiter, audio controls mounted on the steering column, climate-control airconditioning, vanity mirrors and a chilled glove box.