The Clio RS versus Fiesta ST debate has raged on
for some time now.
But there's now some added confusion to the subject,
because Ford has just announced its Mountune
Performance upgrade for the ST. And on paper, it looks
damn impressive.
Until this point, the Clio's argument was that-- despite
being more expensive--
it offered a 20 horsepower advantage over the Ford, and a
snazzy paddle-operated jewel clutch gearbox.
The trouble was the ST actually had the same 177 foot
pounds of torque as the Clio.
And it would appear that the internet still prefers manual
transmissions.
Well, for an extra 599 pounds and a quick stop at your Ford
dealer, you could now enjoy a Fiesta ST with-- wait for it--
215 horsepower and 236 foot pounds of torque.
That's more than a Sierra Cosworth, in a Fiesta.
And it's still cheaper than the Clio.
You'd have to say, life is looking even
trickier for the Renault.
We've already driven these cars quite
extensively on road and track.
We know that the Clio, even with the Cup chassis fitted,
is more subtle on the road.
But the Fiesta is firmer and more aggressive.
What we don't know is which is fastest in a straight line.
And this stuff matters.
So time to find out.
This is seconds out.
Well, it's round one, isn't it?
This is Clio versus Fiesta.
It's very, very hot today.
And I mean very, very hot.
30 degrees for us in the UK is a proper heat wave.
So what we're going to do is we are going to have
a little drag race.
I'm in the Sport Clio.
Dan is in the ST with the Mountune kit.
There's a suspicion that that's a right giant
slayer, that is.
Go!
[CAR ENGINES]
Now, because I don't have to do anything-- look.
No hands, and I'm still beating a Fiesta.
But look what happens.
Once that thing starts to go, it's above
65, 70 miles an hour.
It just disappears.
And it's cheaper.
Yes.
I know.
It's compelling.
The Clio first.
Using its excellent launch control, the driver really has
to do nothing but keep that right pedal buried and let the
computer work its magic.
The results are pretty good.
On this slightly broken surface, it
manages 60 in 6.8 seconds--
which is a little slower than claimed--
and 100 in 16.8 seconds.
If you're old like me, you'll still think that anything that
could run sub-20 to 100 is quite quick.
The Fiesta feels way punchier, though.
Initial traction is so good, you can just
drive it off the line.
But you have to feather the throttle atop of first gear
before snatching second as fast as the
synchros will allow.
And then the Fiesta just flies.
It actually feels a good deal quicker than the Clio above 50
miles an hour.
But the initial launch isn't quite as good.
So the 0 to 60 is only 3/10 faster, at 6.5 seconds.
Again, slower than claimed.
But from 60 to 100, the Fiesta rips 1.4
seconds from the Clio.
It's just miles faster.
I mean, a factory warranteed supermini that does 0 to 100
in 15.4 seconds is pretty silly, in a very good way.
But there's more to it than that.
There is really more to it than that.
And everyone is hating on this Clio and lavishing praise on
that Fiesta.
And I just don't see the distinction as
being as great as that.
There are things that that does, that this does better.
I really think that.
I don't understand why everyone's
out to get the Clio.
Let's have a further think on that.
We've already driven these two on road and track.
So I don't want to cover the same ground twice.
They're quite different in character actually.
But I don't buy into the consensus that the
Ford kills the Clio.
I like how subtle the Renault is on the road.
Afterwards, the ST is very firm, and the steering seems
artificially heavy at times.
Strangely, this Fiesta was much more mobile at the rear
axle than the last one we drove, making it more fun.
But the Clio is equally happy to oversteer
on a trailing throttle.
And as for the paddle shift, in normal mode, I agree.
It's just a bit too slow.
But in race mode, you can really settle back, and
pretend you're driving a little Group N
tarmac rally car.
The more I drove it, the more I enjoyed it.
I think its chassis is actually the better of the two
for UK road driving.
But the Fiesta is the bargain of the
moment at 17,594 pounds.
The cabin is a little bare next to the 20-grand Clio.
But all the stuff that matters in a hot hatch is good enough.
Especially the seats.
Renault has unrivaled heritage in this category.
This new Clio is still a very good car.
And if you want paddles, you'll love it.
But the Fiesta is that rare product, which somehow seems
to be just what people want now.
It's fast.
It has a manual gearbox.
It's attractive.
And most importantly, it's stunning value for money.
Ford has nailed it.
There is however a postscript to this story.
Renault makes an even faster Clio, too.
The only problem is, it doesn't have number plates.
OK, peoples.
This is the new Clio Cup car, for those that want to go
really fast in a hatchback.
Now, Silverstone Circuit is rather tight and complicated.
This is the Stowe circuit that we're on.
And it's a bit of a challenge.
Car needs to get some tire temperature in it, but let's
talk around it.
Because there's something about front-wheel
drive racing cars.
[CAR ENGINE]
220 horsepower, so effectively the same engine as you get in
the street car.
But this time with a Sadev six-speed gearbox, which is a
thing of quite some joy.
I think the main difference is the last Clio racing car I
drove is this one doesn't have a servo on the brakes.
So you really have to shove the brakes when you get wicked
feel through.
It's a right little tiny cup of car.
I just love these little cars.
They're brilliant.
[CAR ENGINE]
Of course, the secret to making a front-wheel drive car
go quick on the circuit is to it nervous.
Then have some oversteer, but you can make it
turn so much quicker.
Dead impressive.
Brake pedal is just awesome.
And you've got [INAUDIBLE] brake the car, so
aggressively.
Steering, well.
Very quick rack.
But the strange thing is how different it is to the street
car, in that it's all about the differential.
It's all about getting some drive into that diff.
[CAR ENGINE]
And then just using it now, winding it up.
The traction is phenomenal.
You'd swear the thing was four-wheel drive.
This is a profoundly more professional car than the Clio
road car I drove.
Really feels like a little touring car.
Look at this lovely dashboard ahead of me.
Cool steering wheel.
All the things that the gentleman driver wants.
Those little trinkets.
Now, I like a bit of this.
If you want to really drive a hatchback, you need to come
drive a Cup car.