Renault Clio RenaultSport V6 (2003-2005) Review

On the road

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Depends how you look at this one, really. Ostensibly, the V6 is...well...Clio-like. It has the same dash, pedals, seats and visibility as a standard Clio, so it's all pretty easy to use. Despite the lump of an engine behind the front seats and the faux-racer ethos, the pedals are all pleasantly weighted and easily modulated. This isn't a grumpy car to drive around town. There are less easygoing elements, though, which result in the three-star rating. The gearshift can grate a little when rushed, it has quite a lot of power for a short, rear-drive car. Though it's quite stable, this and its rear-biased weight distribution means that drivers should exercise some care when pressing-on, especially in the wet. The Clio rocks. The engine's just bloody marvellous, strong throughout the rev-range and serving up a great noise, and the throttle response is very positive, too. The six-speed 'box has quite a slick shift, but can grate a little when rushed. The brakes are strong and you can really lean on them with confidence on the approach to corners. Ah, yes, corners - the Clio takes them better than Thierry Henry, 'va-va-voom' or not. The steering gives adequate feel and isn't kicked all over the shop by potholes and cambers. With its wide track and relatively short wheelbase, the Clio turns-in with enthusiasm. There's plenty of mid-corner grip, too. There's a little roll, but that isn't surprising given the V6's highish centre of gravity - a product of that big V6 nestling behind the seats instead of tucked under the bonnet. But it's not excessive; in fact it makes the Clio feel quite mature, competent and - importantly - settled compared to some uncompromising roller-skate rivals which are thrown off-line by bumps. At corner exit, traction is excellent because of the location of the engine. Stability is good too, considering the car's low polar moment of inertia (see rear view captions).

First: It's Clio sized, and weighs 1400kg. Second: it has a (un-Clio sized) 2946cc V6 engine where the back seats would usually be, producing 255bhp and 221lb ft of pulling power (torque). Result: it's fast. Nought to sixty takes just 5.8 seconds and, despite less-than-ideal aerodynamics, the V6 will go on to 153mph. And what a noise - at low revs, the Clio growls throatily, building through a nicely smooth and willing mid range, before bellowing a howling crescendo around the 7000rpm-plus rev-limiter. The noise alone makes it worth wringing out the last few hundred revs.