EVO: Toyota GT86 vs Renault Clio RS

[MVJ1975]

Originally Posted by Bristecom

I'm pretty sure it has more roll because it's on 16-inch wheels with thick sidewalls. Again, not an ideal/fair/complete comparison IMO. Apparently, they are bound and determined to not give it an accurate comparison with the Clio. But even if they said the same about the top GT86 model with the 17-inch wheels, it doesn't matter because 1) the Clio isn't sold in the US, 2) the Clio is FWD and can't drift, and 3) the Clio is ugly.

If the Michelin Primacy HP tires we get are "barely adequate" the Yokohama Decibels on the base Euro GT are basically crap. They do the car a huge disservice.

[nighthawk]

Here in EU Clio RS costs 19.000 EUR and Toyota GT86 costs 31.500 EUR. If prices were about the same, decision would be easy - toyota. But for me that is a huge price difference....

[MarkMash]

I get the feeling towards the end of the article the reivewer doesn't really know how to drive the car... doesn't feel confident with it. Expects it to drift without making it drift. I think he is expecting to handle like a playstation but realises he's actually in a real car.

That with the mph miss print mistakes, I'd say a low quality article.

[midenginebias]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

Why is it that the only bad reviews are always coming from Evo magazine? I can't shake the feeling they've never quite recovered from giving that initial BRZ-AT they tested poor marks. It's like they're always trying to justify that initial poor review.

Also, for a magazine that prides itself on being enthusiast-focused, why is it they always seem to find themselves in the least enthusiast-focused Toyobaru models (BRZ-AT, base level FR-S lacking LSD)? Odd...

Because Chris Harris doesn't work for EVO anymore.

I was actually quite surprised that EVO mag doesn't like the car as much as I thought they would. For a group of editors that rave about the Miata and a thrilling driving experience, one would think that more power, more practicality, and still relatively lightweight at the same price as a Miata would have them raving.

It makes me think that the group of editors are about maximizing the chassis potential, not the strict purpose of the vehicle. But, even then, prior Lotus Elise's with 134bhp have won ECOY.

Must be the manual steering rack and removable top.

Perhaps I shouldn't be surprised. When the Rx-8 did ECOY testing, it scored 7th for lack of power as well.

[ultra]

I've owned a Clio Sport and I now own an 86 (yes, it has an LSD).

My take is that the article is actually pretty accurate overall but with a few caveats.

First of all the Clio Sport is not a car to be underestimated. It's widely agreed to be one of the very best hot hatches ever made. As a driver's tool it puts any FWD car available in the US to complete shame as well as most everything from Europe and Japan (with the possible exceptions of the hardcore Renault Meganes and the limited edition JDM Type RR).

It's extremely well balanced and well set up car from the factory and besides similar power it has a few clear advantages over the 86 on paper:

- The Clio has more grip. It comes with 225/40/17 Continental Sport Contact 3s while the 86 here comes with even punier 16 inch all season tires than the primacy HPs on the USDM model.

- The Clio comes with pretty big Brembo brakes all around, whereas the 86's brakes are merely adequate.

- The Clio is lighter by a good few kilos while making the same power and torque, which gives it a slight power to weight edge.

In my own experience the Clio is the more confidence inspiring car. It's balanced, has tons of grip and is wprlds easier to push hard out of the box. I find that the 86 is certainly more fun and a better place to be overall but it's got less grip and the chassis is more nervous out back which gives the impression that the 86 WILL bite you, thus making it less confidence inspiring and harder to drive at the limit, at least on public roads.

Maybe not so much of a big deal on an AutoX course or on the track where you can get away with a spin but on public roads you just can't push the 86 as hard confidently which would allow the Clio to walk away from it.

I've stuck 225/40/18 Continental Spirt Contact 2 rubber on my 86 though (which is pretty similar to the OEM Clio rubber as it happens) and it's night and day.

With similar rubber on both cars it's a whole different ballgame, make no mistake.

That's my take anyhow - all 2 cents worth.