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| Renault
Clio III vs Peugeot 207 |
Broadcast
date : 6th August 2006 |
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It’s not surprising that these
two French icons are very similar in overall concept. What is
surprising is how different they are in detail, and dynamics.
The engines fitted to our French duo were not directly
comparable – 1,6 diesel for the Peugeot and 1,6 petrol for
the Renault. Interestingly, they have similar power outputs.
But mechanicals aside, these two French companies appear to
have very different car-building philosophies.
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As far as road-feel is
concerned, the Renault has remarkable ride composure for a
small car, particularly on bumpy surfaces.
It’s steering is super-light at low speeds, a bit
unnervingly so, but this tightens up as speed rises.
For a 1600 we have to say the engine is a little
disappointing.
But the overall driving experience is excellent. The relaxed
air to the Renault makes up for any lack of urge.
The Clio 3 is substantially heavier than the previous
generation Clio, and although it runs the 0-100 gauntlet in
11,1 seconds at sea level, it feels substantially slower at
the Reef, where its weight of over 1200 kilograms counts
against it.
It’s equipped with ABS as well as Brake Assist, four airbags
and anti submarining seats, to sum its safety
attributes.
Accordingly, Clio III gets a full-house five star Euro NCAP
safety rating.
The 83 kilowatt petrol engine on the Clio needs to be revved
hard to get the best out of it, and like many Renault engines,
its not particularly comfortable once the rev-counter goes
beyond 5500.
It’s a torque-orientated engine rather than a screamer,
clearly with an eye to good fuel consumption.
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Peugeot’s 207 is much more
brash in overall approach. It looks more of a street-fighter
and its handling matches that. It has a different feel to the
Renault. More taut, less composed over bumps.
It has a sportier rubber and wheel configuration, which
imparts good grip. And its diesel engine plays the part.
It’s peppier at the Reef, thanks to turbocharging. The
driving experience, the steering, is also more racy.
It lacks the refinement of the Renault, but maybe that’s a
conscious attempt to be different.
We wonder, though whether that extra turbo grunt from the
diesel would make up for the fact that it’s R25 000 more
expensive than the Clio 3.
There’s a 1,6 litre petrol 207 on offer, but at R151 000,
that too is R10 000 pricier than the Renault.
The 207 doesn’t feel as well put together, as
well-integrated as the Clio 3. Once again, we wonder what
happened to good rough road-manners in a marque that was once
famous for ruggedness.
The Peugeot’s Hdi 1,6 litre diesel engine is no stranger to
us, and it’s remarkably light on fuel if you drive it with
restraint. Typically diesel, it has plenty of low down grunt.
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Renault Clio III 1,6 Dynamic
- Engine:
Four-cylinder petrol, 1 598 cc
- Power: 83 kW @ 6
000 rpm
- Torque: 151 Nm @ 4
250 rpm
- Transmission:
Five-speed manual, front-wheel-drive
- 0-100 km/h: 11,1
seconds (Car Magazine)
- Top speed: 188 km/h
( Car Magazine)
- Fuel consumption:
8,1 litres/100 km (Car Magazine)
- Price: R141 000
Peugeot 207 1,6 HDi
- Engine:
Four-cylinder turbodiesel, 1 560 cc
- Power: 80 kW @ 4
000 rpm
- Torque: 240 Nm @ 1
750 rpm
- Transmission:
Five-speed manual, front-wheel-drive
- 0-100 km/h: 10,1
seconds (claimed)
- Top speed: 193 km/h
( claimed)
- Fuel consumption:
6,0 litres/100 km (estimated)
- Price: R166 400
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