TEST DRIVE: Renault Clio GT Line - A baby Clio RS?

The Renault Clio GT Line is the third car in the current Renault Clio line-up. The first that was launched was the Clio RS and the second was the Renault Captur, which to some extant is a Clio crossover vehicle with a different name. The Clio GT Line is the smallest sized conventional powered Renault you can buy in Malaysia (but not the cheapest), bar the electric Twizy and Zoe models of course.

It costs RM118,000 (without insurance) and it is a five door hatchback with hidden rear door handles. I quite like how it looks. I like how the car sits on the road esepcially those fat bulbous rear arches. When viewed from the rear three quarter angle it looks all purposeful and solid looking. As it is a GT Line car, it gets some RenaultSport parts in it. It gets tasty 17inch alloy wheels with 205/45/17 tyres, a nice body kit and an actual 'sports' based suspension.

The GT Line comes with a 1.2liter turbocharged petrol engine that makes 120ps and 190Nm torque. The gearbox is a 6 speed Efficient Dual Clutch which does not come with pedal shifters or an RS Mode button. It gives you an ECO mode button that makes the throttle response a little more hollow in terms of feel and the gears shift up quicker to save petrol. Personally I prefer driving the car in the normal mode as it feels nicer to have a weightier feel to the throttle pedal. I suppose if you drove it you could save a little bit more but I felt I didn't need to save so much.

The Clio's interior is like the Captur I drove earlier except it sits much lower. The dashboard and the controls are like the Captur or like a Clio RS. There is the same plastics and feel in this cabin compared to the Captur but I have to say that because I dropped into the cabin instead of sliding inside it, the radio control stalk behind the steering wheel did not bother me one bit. It works for this height. The same idiosyncracies like the gear knob design which I didn't really take to and the steering wheel with its plastic bits on where my thumbs are supposed to sit are still there. My thumbs prefer leather by the way. The dashboard and the instrument cluster is the same and overall I like how it looks.

DRIVING THE CLIO GT Line

The engine may be only a tiny 1.2liter but it is turbocharged and it therefore feels more like a tuned up normally aspirated 1.8liter in terms of performance. This car does 0-100kmh in about 10.0seconds flat when tested and it is adequate for driving briskly but not something Gti fast. It needs to be a bit more vocal though. I think the engine's note isn't sporty enough even for something that isn't a full GT. Note that Renault calls it a GT Line instead of just being a full GT. The Clio RS gets a synthesized exhaust note that even allows the RS to sound like a Nissan GT-R or a Clio V6. Maybe even cars like the GT Line could benefit from a bit more aural pleasure since it does not really have the kick in the seat of your pants pleasure of the full cream, full fat version.

This Malaysian specced Clio GT Line also does not have pedal shifters or an RS Drive mode like the higher up Clio RS. I had to make do with either leaving the 6 speed Efficient Dual Cluth gearbox in full automatic mode or by using the floor mounted gear lever. It is the same gearbox as the one used in the Clio RS and also in the Renault Captur. The tuning is obviously different for each variant and this one to me is decent. It is smooth around town and if you up the driving pace, it keeps up with you quite well. The gearchanges aren't as rapid as something that the People's Car company from Germany would give you, but in terms of a package, it offers something that works in most situations even in traffic. So whilst I would love having pedal shifters here, it wasn't really missed. Even whilst driving up and down Genting Highlands.

I suppose this is because the GT Line is a very nice surprise when you're really putting it through its paces. It does feel like a Clio RS200 in terms of how it handles. It may have less power but you are still able to really have fun in this car. Throw in up and down a winding road and it excels. The steering is sharp and responsive. You can place the car exactly where you want it to be. The small size of the car enables it to change directions quickly and the chassis is very well resolved. It rides and soaks up most bumps well. Grip is actually very good. Maybe too good for the amount of power it has.

The chassis is well resolved and so similar to the Clio RS that I think it may actually need the 200 horse to really have fun. Well, at least a good 30 more would be sufficient actually. I think I drove this car faster down Genting Highlands than the week before when I had the Ford Focus 1.5 Ecoboost. The brakes, even though consisted of rear drums actually worked well (without any fade) and whilst there was tyre squealing going on, there was no real drama inside. The ABS and traction control aren't obtrusive and did not interfere my journey up and down Genting Highlands. It actually took what the road threw at it with not much fuss. Maybe it could do with a bit more drama as it is so composed at the performance levels it can achieve. But then again, it's a GT Line, not a full RenaultSport Clio. Of course, if you had the dosh to splurge on a Clio RS you wouldn't be reading articles on the GT Line then would you?

So yes it is good. Yes, it could do with more horses and torque. And rear disc brakes instead of drums that squeak after a hard drive.And maybe a tuned exhaust that sounds like a Nissan GT-R or a Clio V6 when you want it to like the Clio RS with its artificial sound maker which utilises the car's speakers to add aural delights whilst you drive it. But within the junior warm hatchbacks that are sold in Malaysia I have to say this may be the one that takes the cake now with the fact that Suzuki Malaysia has bit the dust (in a way) and there would be no more brand new Suzy Swift Sport for anyone to buy. That was the best warm hatch you could buy. I think this is the new leader in terms of driving pleasure. It may be the most expensive of the current crop of 'nice to drive but not full GTI level', aka warm B segment hatchbacks but if you want to go fast in one, this could be the way to go.

Oh, by the way, this is a video of the car being driven by Yours Truly on the old Bentong road. You folks do know I occasionally post a video or two on YouTube. Here is the car in action. The vid was as usual done in the spur of the moment. Not something professional, but you can tell the car is fun to drive from the in-car view. 

Pros: 1.2liter turbocharged engine quite strong for its size, cabin is stylish, driving position good, stylish looks outside, great handling, great warranty package, high equipment levels

Cons: Some plastic bits (like the Captur) need better design, exhaust needs more noise to be sporty, drum brakes at the rear (they work fine, just the total look factor here), a tad bit pricey compared to other B segment hatchbacks,

Conclusion: The Renault Clio GT Line 85% a Clio RS. The 15% isn't really missed if you are using it in town or just for your own personal pleasure. There is some RenaultSport magic breathed onto this chassis and it shows. Needs to be a little bit more affordable though.

RENAULT CLIO GT LINE

Specifications:

Price as tested: RM118,000.00 without insurance (Peninsular Malaysia)

options: Flame Red body colour add RM5,000.00

Engine 

 Turbo / Sequential multipoint injection 16v 4 cylinder - 1,197cc (1.2liter)

118PS / 190Nm

Gearbox

Efficient Dual Clutch 6speed automatic

0-100kmh - 10.0secs (tested)

180kmh (tested)

Steering

Power-assisted Variable power-assisted steering 

Suspension

Front McPherson type with rectangular lower arm and anti-roll bar

Rear Flexible axle with programmed deflection and spiral springs

Tyre size 17“: 205/45 R17

Weight

1185kg

Fuel Consumption

Urban cycle - 6.6liters/100km

Full cycle 5.2liters/100km

As tested 9.0liters/100km

Equipment List

ESC with ASR

Driver and passenger front airbags

Driver and front passenger head- and chest-level side airbags

3 height-adjustable rear headrests

Driver seat belt reminder

Height-adjustable driver and front passenger seat belts

3-point rear centre seat belt

Isofix 3-point seat a achment system

Side indicators

Automatic dipped headlights and windscreen wipers

Anti-lock braking system

Emergency brake assist

Space-saving emergency spare wheel

EXTERIOR DESIGN

17” black diamond-finish alloy wheel rims

Painted door mirror casings

INTERIOR DESIGN

Dark colour scheme

Leather steering wheel + gear lever knob

DRIVING

Daytime Running Lights

Rear parking distance control with reversing camera

Eco Mode

Card unlocking system with hands-free function

Heated rear window

Standard front fog lights

Electric driver and front passenger windows

Electric rear passengers window

One-touch-up window on driver’s side (with anti-trapping function)

COMFORT

Regulated air conditioning

Luggage space cover

Electric door locking

Height-adjustable driver’s seat

MEDIA NAV Evolution

Radio with 4 speakers + 2 tweeters, Bluetooth®, USB

Radio integrated into Media Nav