Renault's Biggest Mistake? Is The Clio RS200 EDC Really That Bad?

In today's video I am looking at the latest in a long line of highly successful hot hatches - the Clio RS200 EDC. As controversial as they come, the RS200 swapped an NA engine for a turbo, three doors for five and a manual for a dual clutch.

In the motoring press the RS200 EDC seemed to miss the mark where its predecessors had always been big hits - but is it that bad, or merely misunderstood?

#Renaultsport #Clio #RS200EDC

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[SilliusSodus]

You get full metal paddles in an early 2010’s Clio but not in a brand new R8 XD

[Silentwitness]

I owned a 2013 one of these and its a lot more grown up than my current 2012 Clio RS Angel & Demon. As a daily it was excellent. It perfomed really well, and when you didnt want to drive hard you could just pop it in drive and just cruise. I really liked the gearbox and usually drove it in race mode. It was also better at low speed down shifting than my Alfa 4C. I reckon grab a 220 version fit some KW coilovers and a quality catback and you would have an awesome car.

[paulallwood]

I need to wade into this discussion. I had a 220 Trophy after previously owning a 197F1 and before that a 182. I really didn't see what the issue with the Mk4 was. Fast, exciting, very composed, strong brakes. Gearbox in race mode was quick with a little thump in the back on full speed upshifts. I genuinely liked it alot and thought it was very unfairly panned.

[MrAshleydickens]

So glad you’ve reviewed this.. I’ve just bought one... personally I love it

[alenalavanja]

Do appreciate your honest review mate, as i own that same model;
i feel like a lot of car reviewers at the time (and people that haven't driven it) gave it a 'meh' scores because it was completely different to what preceded it - it was no longer a 3-door, now it was more practical 5-door; there was no more high-reving, nothing down low-all up at redline 2.0 N/A, now it was a 1.6 turbo with a flat torque and power delivery (actually usable in everyday driving), no more hard, skittish suspension, but now it was far more compliant and daily friendly, maybe the best mix of comfort and great road holding out of all small hot hatches and finally, no more manual but a DCT only (again, more daily friendly, with dual personality of everyday auto in traffic and a proper, fast DCT in a race mode), but again, a gearbox that for some reason got less than great reviews for being not that fast? As you've exerienced in 'race' mode, it's as snappy as any DSG/DCT box from a sports car of that time (design is 8 years old now)
I think time has proven those old reviews wrong and this is honestly one of the best, most usable, smaller hot hatches made in the last 10 years.
If you're someone looking at buying a small, used hot hatch at the moment, do yourself a favour and go and at least test drive one, you will be surprised.

[maxspencer]

Owned one back in 2016. Changed the induction kit, exhaust etc and had it mapped to 240ish bhp. It was good fun but EVERYTHING rattled inside after having the scorpion exhaust fitted.

[dannyconway]

My neighbour has one and he loves it, i like it and i like the fact that you hardly see them, i would have one over the ST, another great video.

[PhilWales]

Hi Jay, I've only been watching your videos a short while and didn't realise you never had, but wanted to review the old RS200.

I definitely would have let you review the one I had. It was mint, but crucially, it had the CUP PACK, CS Recaro seats & YOKO AD08R tyres which made it handle, grip and feel like nothing else could keep up with it on a good B road

[roadhouseguy]

I had one of these for 3 years. RS200 EDC Cup.
Loved it. Gearbox is fine, was overly criticized. Yes it’s not a manual, but I didn’t want to daily a manual. It’s not a slow gearbox by any means.
I wouldn’t remap it as the gearbox has a torque limit as per Getrag’s whitepaper.

[robstaples]

Great video James. Like the 197 a lot so nice to see a less damning video of the RS200

[superfly]

Please do the Citroen DS3 207, that would be interesting!

[emmen]

I did have a Clio RS 200 EDC for 6 years, and had so mutch fun with car. For me it was the best buy ever. I'm Dutch, the most fun i had during a vacation in the Astria mountain's, driving up the Grossglockner was an real challenge. So mutch fun.

[gambinoi]

Would love to see you do a 197 review!

[rossanderson]

Have a 2014, previously had the 182 which was a quirky ball of fun. My current one has been mildly tuned, and is seriously quick. Overall, I would favour the manual 182 but only for the gear stick. The EDC has its quirks, it can be a bit clunky tbh, but I feel on a windy road the car comes into its own. Overall as much as I liked my old one, this one has indeed grown up, and it's the more mature car. I feel it's an underrated car, dismissed by motoring world because of the EDC tranny, but once you get over that, it's a seriously fun car on the right road. I agree with the presenters sentiments. Give one a go. Oh, its also been really reliable, no issues in eight years.

[Gemini_]

Good video! Just the alpine handling course quite lacks the alpine-ness

[SChapps]

I would like to see you do a video on a 2009-2012 Clio 200, I've heard it's the best out of the lot

[Captainball]

The cars ok ... but that shirt is a thing of legend

[RazvanRO]

You can have my Clio rs 3 facelift (2009) for a review. It’s the early facelift model before the added an “RS” emblem in the front. I have it since new and I still love it to death. It’s 100% stock with 140.000km. Only problem is that I live in Bucharest and it’s not running very well. But I will have it running as new by middle March I think. Still you are welcome to drive it. I can manage without it for a few days👍

[mrsDeborah]

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[mrc]

I had a play with one of these on some country roads with a 182. On the straights there wasn't much in it, but through the corners it couldn't live with the 182 at all. I'm sure it's a much nicer car to live with than a 182 as it's much more modern. As a drivers car though it certainly doesn't live up to its predecessors.