When it comes to extreme superminis the Mini Cooper S Works and Renault Clio Cup lead the pack. But which is the most rewarding to drive?
In another famous Fifth Gear Dogfight, Tiff Needell and Jason Plato wring the necks of the two sizzling hot hatches to find out.
Mini Cooper S John Cooper Works
In 2007, MINI released the JCW tuning kit for the new “R56? version of the car. This new version now being turbocharged as opposed to supercharged, the kit itself is very different to that of the previous Cooper S. Consisting of an uprated induction system, exhaust and ECU remap, this kit ups power 17 bhp (13 kW) to 192 bhp (143 kW). Torque is up 10 nm to 250nm (270 nm with overboost). Acceleration from 0-100 km/h is now 6.8 seconds, and a top speed of 232 km/h is now possible.
According to Mike Cooper, a MINI fitted with this kit will be “the fastest MINI ever” above all due to the extra torque and in-gear acceleration, which in certain driving situations will be even faster than the 218 bhp (163 kW) MINI JCW GP.
Renault Clio Cup
An all-new third generation Clio was unveiled in 2005. It uses a platform co-developed with Nissan (which Renault has a share in) that is shared with the Renault Modus, the current Nissan Micra and the Nissan Note. It is considerably larger and 130 kg (287 lb) heavier as well as more expensive than the Clio II, and at nearly 4 metres in length has almost outgrown the ’supermini’ class. This was the result of a decision to move the Clio upmarket. It also brings the trademark “Renault Card” keyless immobiliser to the Clio for the first time. The outgoing Clio II will continue to be sold as a budget option known as the Clio Campus. The new Clio achieved a 5-star EuroNCAP safety rating, joining the rest of Renault’s family of top-rated consumer motors - with the exception of the Kangoo and Twingo - which all have the maximum safety rating. Sales of the 3-door model began throughout Europe in October 2005, with a 5-door model following in early 2006. It was voted European Car of the Year 2006, and was considered by the judges to be the car which will set the benchmark for quality, safety and style for a car in this class.
In June 2006 the sales of the third generation Clio Renaultsport started in France for the price of €23000. The Clio Renaultsport is equipped with a new naturally aspirated 16-valve 2 liter engine based on the earlier version used in the second generation Clio Renaultsport and a 6-speed gearbox. The engine develops 145 kW (197 hp) at 7250 rpm. The top speed is 215 km/h (134 mph) and 0-100 km/h takes 6.9 seconds.
Renault exhibited a Hi-Flex Clio Mk II with a 1.6 L 16-valve engine at the 2006 Paris International Agricultural Show. This vehicle, which addresses the Brazilian market, features Renault-developed flex-fuel technology, with a highly versatile engine that can run on fuel containing a blend of gasoline and ethanol in any proportion (0% to 100% of either).
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