#Blogpost: 182 vs 172 vs 200 EDC

The Renaultsport Clio, the car that has been used as a benchmark in the hot hatch industry for almost 20 years. It all started in 1993 when the Renault Clio Williams was introduced. It put every face of hot hatch manufacturers sad, confused, and ashamed. As time flies by, other manufacturers have put their heads and started to bring the French some competition. In the mid-90s, cars such as the Civic Si and the MG ZR gave some heat to Renault. And that’s why after the Clio 2 was introduced, Renault made a sportier 16-valve version and that, once again, made Renault untouchable to its opponents.

But, starting in 1998, the competition started to heat up. Honda launched the Type R, MG with the sportier ZR, and others gave the Clio a threat. And that’s why at the same year, Renault introduced the Renaultsport Clio 172 and that , again, made the Clio almost unbeatable.

Its 172bhp (hence the name 172) was phenomenal for such a small car, and coupled to its entertaining handling and snappy short-ratio transmission, it was a driver’s delight. For a while, the Clio was untouchable, but with models such as the MINI Cooper S Works and Peugeot 205 GTi 180 upping the ante and offering more than 180bhp. With over 180bhp threats, even the Cup version of the 172 can’t touch its opponents.

So, in order to keep up, in 2003 Renault strapped the 172 with wider tracks, better suspension, and 10 extra horses to make the Renaultsport Clio 182. The 182 version looks very similar to its older brother with 10bhp less. It’s not a facelift, it’s more of a tidy-up version. Aaaaaand….once again, the Clio is back in business.

After the 182, Renault made the 197. I’m not going to jump deep into the 197 because the 197 is not a part of this review.

Yada, yada, yada 197, blah blah, a few years after the Renault 3 197, comes the Renaultsport Clio 200. The old 200 came in production until 2011. Year 2012 was the year when we saw the new Clio 200 but this time under the Clio 4 generation. The 4th generation Clio 200 is known as the Renaultsport Clio 200 EDC because of its new DCT. 2012 was also the year when we saw the death of the legendary Renault 2.0 liter 16v engine that has been powering the Renaultsport models before. It was replaced by a Nissan 1.6 liter turbocharged engine.

Okay, enough with the history lessons, let’s get on to the review.

Exterior

Renault Clio 172

The exterior of the Clio 172 is just like the regular Renault Clio 2 except for a few things: wider arches, different bumpers, side skirts and 15 inch OZ alloy wheels. It’s all the same.

Renault Clio 182

182’s exterior changed quite a lot compared to the 172. The black headlights were now grey, new 8 spoke wheels and more colour options were added (as well as some deleted), but the basic design stayed the same. Also the addition of a twin exit exhaust tail pipes. That made me slightly jealous. I know, a lot of you will shout “performance is better than looks, why do you care?”. Well, the thing is, Clio 182 costs a bit of extra money compared to the 172 but it has the same exterior and interior quality. I’m not entirely okay with that.

Renault Clio 200 EDC

The 172 and 182 didn’t have major changes to its looks compared to the normal Clio but the EDC 200 has a good amount. The whole front fascia is pretty distinguish.

Interior

I’m not going to point out the interior because all models have a very identical interior to the regular Clios except for some minor detail (badges, stickers, emblems, etc.)

Driving

Clio 172

Fire the engine and it’s clear this Clio is a hard-edged machine. The exhaust sounds louder and the throttle feels much more responsive thanks to a series of modifications made to the engine management system.

Slot into first gear, and the clutch feels a little more aggressive, too, mainly because of the faster revving engine. Acceleration is strong low in the range, and builds rapidly as revs rise.

Capable of sprinting from 0-60mph in only 7 seconds. The Clio offers 168bhp per ton. By comparison, Honda’s acclaimed Civic Type R offers a ‘mere’ 166bhp. As the road gets more testing, it’s clear the Renault is not simply about straight-line speed, either, and some subtle but significant changes have been made to the suspension to enhance the handling. Firstly, the car’s ‘footprint’ on the road has been increased, with wider axles front and rear. The chassis has also been modified to improve turn-in and mid-corner stability.

The suspension has not just been firmed-up, however - the spring and damper combination is now more subtle than before, and the Clio absorbs bumps with ease. Steering feel is improved, too, and offers a near-constant stream of information to the driver.

You’ll need to hold on tight at speed. The lowered suspension has increased the 172’s tendency to follow imperfections on the road, as have the new tires, which are built to take greater loads. This constant movement is no bad thing, however, and actually adds to the sense of drama behind the wheel. The competition feel is further enhanced by the lack of ABS, which has been removed to keep weight and costs down. The brakes are powerful, but require careful use if you are to avoid locking up when using them hard.

Clio 172 owner: Jeffrey Malik, one of my closest friend

Clio 182
Not hugely quicker than the car it replaces, the 182 has a smoother and more linear power delivery, and it’s much easier to maintain traction while pulling away quickly. Meanwhile, the suspension has been altered to give better comfort, without affecting the Clio’s legendary handling. The ride is less fidgety over bumpy surfaces, too, largely due to a longer wheelbase and wider track. Increased spring and damper rates give firmer suspension, and the set-up is further enhanced by stiffer anti-roll bars. The car also sits 20mm lower than the current machine. The result is awe-inspiring grip, and a chassis which can be exploited by even the most average of drivers.
Push the Clio 182 hard, and you will soon see it’s a force to be reckoned with. It still offers a heady mix of performance and balance that can shame many a ‘proper’ sports car - yet at the same time it’s as useful as any standard Clio hatchback when it comes to getting the shopping in.

Clio 182 owner: Allen “AJ” Thompson Jr., I don’t know who that guy is :>

Clio 200

The Renault shares its 1.6-litre turbo engine with the Nissan Juke Nismo RS, although it produces a slightly less powerful 197bhp in the Clio. It feels willing and urgent low-down, but the Clio’s power delivery feels strangled higher up the rev range. It’s not helped by the whooshing exhaust note or the sluggish gearbox.

Pull the ‘up’ paddle and the Clio pauses before engaging the next gear – it’s faster in Race mode, but the shift times still aren’t that quick. A long throw to the paddle’s action means you’re never quite sure if your request for another ratio has registered, either.

Despite this, the RS will sprint from 0-60mph in 7.1 seconds thanks to Renault’s launch control system, which manages engine revs for you to make the best getaway possible. It’s explosive off the line, but the anodyne engine loses out when it comes to in-gear acceleration.

Things I hate

172

Underpowered, no spare wheel, road noises, clunky shifter, headroom, legroom

182

suspension is too stiff, no spare wheel, headroom, legroom

200 EDC

Y U NO MANUAL??, sluggish DCT, a bit overpriced, not as fun as the previous Clio, uneven powerband

Now, which one is the best? I will vote for the 172, actually. Despite being slightly underpowered, the combination of its lighter weight and the suspension makes for a fun car.