Renaultsport Clio 182 Cup
When your football team gets pipped at the post in the league, the next step is to concentrate on the Cup. In our epic hot hatch shootout in Issue 801, Renaultsport's respected Clio 182 was beaten by MINI's Cooper S, but the French firm isn't giving up yet.
The Clio 182 Cup is no stripped-out rally special, but it does offer tempting value for money to hot hatch buyers. Standard fit ESP and ABS also make it safer on public roads compared to the previous 172 Cup. The feisty Renault is arguably the most entertaining sub-£15,000 new car currently on the market.
When your football team gets pipped at the post in the league, the next step is to concentrate on the Cup. In our epic hot hatch shootout in Issue 801, Renaultsport's respected Clio 182 was beaten by MINI's Cooper S, but the French firm isn't giving up yet.
Fighting back with reduced weight, added value and more performance, Renault's sporting arm has come up with the new Clio 182 Cup - and Auto Express was first behind the wheel.
As with the previous-generation Clio 172, the Cup variant is aimed at drivers who want to forego some creature comforts and make the most of the superb chassis. However, the current 182 is already available with the tuned suspension that came with the 172 Cup, taking away some of this car's kudos. What's more, Renault has also fitted both ABS and ESP as standard. That will go against the grain with hot hatch purists - so, has the Cup gone soft?
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Cash £20,470The good news is that despite being only 20kg lighter than the standard 182, Renault claims that the more extreme version is 0.3 seconds quicker from rest to 62mph, taking 6.9 seconds to complete the sprint.
Under the bonnet, the Renaultsport-tuned 180bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit from the standard 182 is fitted, and it delivers fantastic acceleration. A five-speed manual gearbox comes as standard, but the transmission still isn't as slick shifting as most rivals'.
The key to all Renaultsport Clio variants has always been the way they handle, and this model is no exception. There isn't any other new car at this price that can offer the same combination of grip, steering feel and balance when cornering. Newer superminis are far more composed on rough surfaces, but the Clio is simply great fun to drive on tight and twisty B-roads.
Given the lower ride height and stiffened suspension, the Cup is surprisingly comfortable, too. It's predictably bumpy around town, but once on the move the hot Clio is very supple - perfect for our potholed roads.
However, it's on the price lists that the Cup is likely to clinch the deal. At £13,800, the 182 Cup is £1,295 cheaper than a normal 182 fitted with the optional sports suspension kit. There are sacrifices to be made, though. Inside, the Clio's already dated cabin has been stripped of the 182's leather trim, and gets cheap-looking fabric upholstery instead, while a one-piece rear bench hinders practicality. There's no electronically managed climate control either, although manual air-conditioning is fitted as standard.
Even with a slimmed down equipment list, it still looks like a sporting bargain when compared to rivals. MINI's similarly performing Cooper S Works costs £4,950 more than the Renault, while Honda's high-revving Civic Type R is an extra £2,450. Given the winning combination of thrills and value for money, hot hatch fans are sure to lift the Cup high up the sales charts.
