Renault Clio 200 Turbo vs Vauxhall Corsa VXR Clubsport | evo TRACK BATTLE

It's a hot hatch fist fight, as the latest Renaultsport Clio 200 battles Vauxhall's special edition Corsa VXR Clubsport on track. Both have around 200bhp from a 1.6-litre turbo engine, but each uses different tech - the Clio has a paddleshift gearbox, the Corsa a mechanical differential. Which recipe leads to the quicker laptime?
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[@Macavellic]

that renault beep... like you don't know when to change gear if you buy a hot hatch

[@Ic3crawler]

THAT BEEP

[@dimosk7389]

good job Renault...good job at ruining the BEST hot hatch by using this gearbox and making it softer...you nailed it. it even managed to lose from a Corsa, which is a great car, but still its at least 7 years old and cannot switch off ESP

[@weed46]

It's ironic that the previous Clio RS won several comparisons against this Crosa

[@dimosk7389]

Narciso Oliveira even if it was not the fastest overall, it was a car designed to make it's driver happy. It was precise, agile, fun when cornering, just like old school French hot hatches. This one here is focused on the iPad generation, it even comes with different engine sounds. It is high tech but low fun.

[@weed46]

dimos k True... althought most of the times it was actualy faster or very close to be the faster despite having slower top speed and aceleration.

[@dimosk7389]

wiLdchiLd2k you can? my mistake then, i was pretty sure i read it somewhere

[@van_der_lindeDA]

You also need a tissue....

[@weed46]

I find ironic that the previous clio RS probably would have won this comparison...

[@andrewleonidas1721]

i dont mean to be off topic but does anyone know of a trick to log back into an instagram account?? I was stupid forgot the login password. I would appreciate any help you can offer me.

[@asheraidan1392]

@Andrew Leonidas instablaster =)

[@emrico]

TO THE BEEP HATERS: you CAN turn it off.

[@glennchurch788]

Corsa for me, looks so much better too.

[@GavinMufclee]

im getting the nurby corsa vxr 2012 model test drove it today and its a pocket rocket

[@timshirleysmeets8841]

Couldnt agree more! 😀👌👍

[@etma01]

Jesus christ that beep in the Clio!!!! Cant you turn it off? I wouldn't buy just because of that, would drive me mad!

[@patrickS_SFT]

You drove the cars in two different ways. With the Corsa You were very clean and soft with steering while with the Clio You drove like a boy with his gaming console and created so much understeer. I think the Clio could set a better time, maybe still not faster than the Corsa but faster than what You clocked.

[@Weekend443845]

Only watched the first few minutes in the Clio and that beep is already getting on my nerves , can you disable it some way or do you need a big hammer ?

[@iantownsend5480]

My Rs Twingo Gordini might not be the fastest hot hatch but I'll tell you one thing it's a hoot to drive, great handling & the biggest plus a slick manual change

[@MrManuel1329]

I feel like hothaches should never have DCT gearboxes it should always be a manual!

[@647killa]

Hey there buddy. I feel that all cars, except pure racecars that race PROFESSIONALLY, should be offered or optioned with a manual gearbox.

[@doverlabs]

Agreed. Spend the money on better tires/wheels/brakes/suspension/recaro seats...I don't care if the DCT is faster on paper.

[@647killa]

pcfxer There you go, see you are a proper car guy. Thats what I believe. People don't put in enough effort to hone their driving skills and learn the art of the clutch pedal- heel-and-toe, single clutch downshifts, left foot braking etc. People just wanna get in and go fast and this mentality is killing automobiles left and right. I don't say you should go to a track every day of your life, no one does that. At least learn your car, hone your driving skills (on a track is preferable), and put the money towards a few mods. I've taken out countless people on the track that had cars priced 3 times more than my car, and my car is pretty much stock save for coilover suspension, sway bar, strut brace, exhaust and CAI. Driver skills is all you need to be fast, not fastest shifting gearbox or best torque vectoring AWD system on the market lol. Good for you buddy, Cheers !!

[@blackjacket_]

647killa I feel that the race cars are the first cars that should get rid off sequential/paddles gears ... 917K, Senna times ... those are the times where the real drivers were born ... You can find many sites on the internet which are speaking about "amateurism" in racing today ... lots of rich people just want to race and didnt know how to control the car with the stick and three pedals... Therefore its transforming in everyday-cars ...

[@CynicalBastard511]

Manuel? You mean they should have an Spanish bloke changing gears instead of a gearbox?

[@anotherone10]

In the UK a Fiesta ST is over £5k cheaper than the Corsa VXR Clubsport. Sure the Ford has less power, but a 35hp upgrade can be had from Mountune for £600 and its officially sanctioned by Ford so it doesn't void the warranty. Thats still a big saving over the Vauxhall, if it were my money the Ford is what I'd go for :)

[@noxious89123]

But then the standard Corsa VXR is £3.5k cheaper than the VXR Clubsport, although that does mean you lose the LSD and Brembo's. But does the ST come with an LSD or Brembo's? And the interior of the Vauxhall feels like that of a much higher-end car compared to Ford. Any FWD car will struggle to put down that much power without an LSD, so you can't blame Renault for that, although the gearchange looks to be horribly slow in the video and there is no excuse for that in a sports-oriented car.

[@missileniall25]

anotherone10 the new ones for both fiesta and corsa are 18k

[@Mr1974tps]

I have a corsa vxr 'berg as my daily driver and it is so much fun, clubsport is only a backbox and paint colour, same power/diff/suspension :D Renault fail on the gearbox

[@abidib]

flappy paddle in a hot hatch totally defeats the purpose of a hot hatch

[@van_der_lindeDA]

What about a supercar?

[@chrisgreen717]

If anything, it amplifies the hot hatch.

[@rxs87]

I have a feeling he didn't put the clio rs in race mode when he drove it, hence the slow shifts, they are much quicker in race mode. Even chris harris said the shifts were quick in race mode.

[@seventeenfor]

Is it the Renault RS with cup chassis or not?

[@shmee150fan]

ohh that beep noise!

[@WalesGaming86]

What they hell did they do the Clio RS, my 172 is weeping somewhere.

[@fabianher120373]

that f-Ing transmission beep is annoying

[@MattBrownn92]

I have the beep on my non turbo 200 and it's one of the best things about the car. You only hear it when you're pushing the engine to it's max and it means you can keep eyes on the road

[@blocksterz]

Man i would find that beep speaker and rip it off ... WTF is wrong with Renault !!!!

[@belgianbushrc7934]

You can turn it off, well that's what was mentioned on an owners forum.

[@z06dave]

It can only be turned off if you have the RS Monitor as you can adjust settings through that. If not, time to start pulling fuses

[@iFunkMasterJ]

It'd be interesting on how both cars fair up with other competition, like the Fiesta ST.

[@Formulozza1]

What annoys me is none of these so called journalists know how to go into the car's menu and turn off the gear change beep. Like come on!

[@aec258]

how does it feel after P1?

[@Vatierville]

The beeping has literally put me off the RSClio.

[@JoJoJoker]

200hp this week. How about some 300hp STi vs Golf R next??

[@gaz0044]

Renault have taken their eye off the ball with this Clio, especially if the Corsa is now better! Just as well Renault still make the overall best hatch, the Megane. Back to basics required - light, simple and fun. That's what made the previous Clios successful, not bad 'boxes, fake engine noise and gear shift beeps.

[@KA5Hx]

Why does the 200t need a shift beep? It changes gear on its own

[@christianrubiofarias7401]

Manual mode

[@TheRaikouGuy]

That beep noise does my fucking head in!

[@detective3728]

VXR clubsport is that the same model as we call outside UK Corsa OPC NUR Edtion ?

[@dimosk7389]

i guess so. it has the mechanical diff, it has the brembo brakes, it has the dual exhausts, itmust be exactly the same

[@speeddayflo]

It has another exhaust system (now from Remus).

[@dimosk7389]

speeddayflo you mean different than the nurburgring edition or the normal edition?

[@speeddayflo]

dimos k It's different than the NRE. The NRE exhaust is made by another brand. Obviously the standard Corsa OPC has another exhaust system as well.

[@dimosk7389]

speeddayflo ah thx for the info. so i would guess, since Vauxhall is only sold in UK, it could be a local deal that Vauxhall made with Remus dealer there

[@hf7188]

it amazes me how can a car company has a recipe for a perfect or well sorted hot hatch, driving wise at least, and then decides "oh, we have a great car and its a hit with journalists! Let's change all that with gimmicks and a f*cking beep, that will make everyone happy!"... Seriously, who's in charge of these ideas?! I always heard, you don't touch on a winning team, and yet, they still manage to f*ck things up. I'm not talking only about Renault, but the Clio RS stands as a good example. I really can't understand this reasoning behind the ideas and, even worst, that these ideas are approved in the first place.

[@frederikwind6205]

...I'm painting in my studio, and have car stuff on in the background, I thought the beep was coming from somewhere else! (68 yr old ears!)

[@alterschwedification]

just because of this fcking beeping i wouldn´t buy this car.

[@TheSuperMotoHooligan]

A Vauxhall actually wins one of these...hooray!

[@MOHAMEDBRAHAM1986]

that beep is deal breaker

[@BrunoFilipeFonseca]

Do you even tested the Megane RS? The beep is not an exclusive for the Auto. Gearbox.... The Megane RS has that beep too and it's a manual transmission,

[@Unknown70896]

"Spin the wheels before we get wheel spin"? 😂😂😂😂😂

[@bbsheppo]

Pass on both and get a fiesta st with £500 performance pack to 210bhp.

[@SectionSkyly]

The beep is so redundant, whatever happened to looking at the rev counter instead?

[@FinneousPJ1]

Wow. You DO NOT look at the rev counter while driving on the track (or driving fast on the road).

[@mariuszanfir2298]

FinneousPJ1 But you can still shift properly just by listening to the engine's sound. Even on the street, once you are very used with the car, you can tell what rpm you are at just by the engine's sound. Somehow the beep in the Clio highlights even more the slowness of the gearbox :| Also, I would be shocked if you wouldn't have the option to turn it off.

[@FinneousPJ1]

Mzn T That's exacty my point. You don't need to stare at the rev counter and neither should you.

[@Wi11yBoy]

Mzn T I have a Clio 197 and on track I would have liked the beep for an upshift, in coming out of tricky corners I can hit the rev limiter quickly without realising. Being an NA it screams also so I'm used to hearing engine notes anyway..

[@HesteBremse]

I actually like the Clio quite a lot, but that "beeb" and the gearbox is annoying, would be great if it was offered with a manual or simply a newer and better DC box. I do not understand why the Beeb is there when in Renault Sport Setting and btw what a terrible "beeb" too - Would drive me nuts. Positively Surprised about the VRX and I really like the looks in that dark grey color. Having no kids I would opt for the VRX in this choice.

[@pansho550F]

Where's Harry u_u?

[@Ioanides001]

Who buys a spanking new mini hot hatch based on how good it feels on a track? Nowadays you want comfort and speed and a bit of style before you think how involved you'll be when you take your car to a track. You're rather more concerned about drag races at stop lights than by mechanical differentials. And you know what? Pretty much any car is fun on a track, anyway. It doesn't need to be the car you're using in your daily life. Renault wins, of course.

[@derbigpr500]

Um...people who think like you don't buy sports cars in general.

[@Ioanides001]

I have a turbo subaru and an S2000,

[@dilawer321]

So neither of your cars are fwd why is that because you want traction? Dumbass thats why fwd hot hatches should have a diff

[@Ioanides001]

dilawer321 when speaking with people it's not polite (nor productive) to call them names just because you're slow in understanding what they say. your mother should've taught you this...

[@weed46]

That's because todays people only mind stupid car gimmicks and gadgets, and don't know how to drive. Give me a driver's car any day, I want a car that gives me Smiles per galon, confort I have at home in the couch, I0m not goiung to buy a hot hatch for long distances anyway

[@bzbzbzyquhag]

If you don't like using the gearbox wouldn't you just leave it in Auto?? If the cars knows to change gears by beeping surely in automatic that's just where it would change by itself...

[@brandonkoe2995]

That beeping is ridiculous lol

[@LiamGardner]

Presenter sounds bored shitless and now so am I.

[@stefstef4895]

You know what I'd like to see? Putting these two cars up against a Peugeot 205GTi or even a T16. That would be REALLY interesting, provided you're unbiased. :)

[@MrGwaldo]

No current hatch can compare with the cars you mention. Have a 1.9 GTi and a Clio 182 Trophy in my garage. Corsa VXR and Clio 200 would probably blitz them round a track (Actually the Trophy would give them a run for their money) but they are nowhere near as fun to drive. T16 is in a different league altogether.

[@stefstef4895]

But that's the thing, my friend. It's got nothing to do with absolute lap times; rather, it's all about the feeling of handling and raw, uncivilized power I was referring to! 😉

[@stefstef4895]

***** Thank you so much for taking the time to share this! That's the thing, isn't it? Modern cars are just smartcars, mere means of transport. I want the harshness back!

[@MrGwaldo]

You guys sound like enthusiasts too. Pleased you're enjoying your VXR. Never actually driven one but from what I've read it does sound like a really good car. Love the VW Corrado too and did quite fancy an Astra GSi when I was younger but was put off by reviews criticising the handling (once again, never actually driven one). First car was a Nova SR which was pretty good fun and mechanically very robust (bit rusty though). Sure the VXR would feel a world away from that in terms of performance and grip. Guess I'm just a fan of French hatches but the game has definitely changed lately so we should all be grateful that we've experienced these gems and their quirks. Agree that lap times don't mean much. I just like cars which reward good driving and feel special behind the wheel.

[@MrGwaldo]

I look forward to seeing that one! GTR is a truly awesome machine but you probably get as much pure enjoyment from your FWD hatch. Was sad seeing my Elise 111R go a few years but a quick blast in the pug sorted me out. After what you've written, I'll endeavour to try a VXR at some point too.

[@ellieisfit15]

458 Speciale vs 650S !

[@stephen300o6]

It's funny how folks think they can manually shift fast than 120 thousandths of a second. These 'lazy shifts' are all in the mind.

[@sr71blackbirddr]

I rember when you only had to worry about dodgy electrics in a reno seems the gearbox Is the problem here

[@linzitazim]

the fiesta is weak compared but insurance friendly.

[@Alexandrepenim]

The noise looks like the car is in intense care and probably dying...

[@GreatToastMigration]

If I owned the Clio for long enough and constantly heard *BEEP* I would probably drive it off a cliff.

[@acarguy3773]

The beep is good, when driving hard you keep your eyes on the road

[@oldhairpin]

Vauxhall wins; no beep.

[@Marszczak]

Wtf with this beep? Who would standard that longer then 3 beeps without getting out of the car?

[@Joe-ks9lc]

Rather have the vxr than renault clio your never gonna win with what car you got in this world its what you like not what everyone else likes lol if you wanna drive the clio go get one if u wanna drive the vxr go get one lol simple corsa vxr is a nice package i think and is always under estimated

[@gallardogt]

You have to drive the Clio more short shifting like a rallycar without the bliebs. He doesn't understand that.

[@lopon12]

The vxr wins hands down just because it doesn't have that annoying beep!

[@autodelta93]

With my money i would by the Fiesta ST

[@Beany2007FTW]

I'd spend 10% of the cost and buy a used Puma. Better than all of them at being actually *fun*, even if it's nowhere near as quick in a straight line.

[@autodelta93]

Beany2007FTW I was talking about new car. If i were to buy a used car i would choose the clio rs 197 that is fairly new and cheap

[@mieguistumas]

Renault beeps and doesn't have a proper gearbox - the rest of it just doesn't matter, it just is made to lose.

[@ben3291]

Dont Get Either of them buy a Fiesta ST Its Cheaper and better looking and has a proper 6 speed manual

[@kraenk12]

Why Renault? Why?

[@cgreer933]

would happily have the vxr over the clio anyday. better looking, more tourque and you dont have to worry about it breaking down every 5 minutes. stay away from french cars. pretty to look at but just not reliable enough

[@steveaustin7764]

very heavy handed.

[@Snipereye64]

3:30 what the hell happened

[@HBfreekicks]

Its the curb lol

[@MonteiroM]

The Clio is now a car for the ladies, it's a fashion accessory with all that glitter, all that curves, its got soft with that look. It's not a manly car anymore like the previous ones.

[@detmer87]

The Clio got spanked by an old competitor LOL And the new Corsa is already in the making... The new Fiesta is also better than the Clio, a Corsa vs Fiesta would be a great part 2...

[@bashderq]

I wonder how many people commenting on this video actually own either cars

[@youjustdontknow76]

proud owner of the Corsa D VXR here. My absolute favourite of all the cars I've owned. Such good fun. That Clio is absolute wank lol

[@metronemy]

Why do you need a DCT in one of these cars? Just leave it manual..

[@iantownsend5480]

A flappy paddle in a supercar fair enough, they nearly all have them these days, a flappy paddle in a sports car not really its getting more of the norm now, flappy paddle in a hot hatch a big fat NO, a hot hatch is not to pose around in its to drive & have fun manual all the way

[@willkilla]

Boo! 200hp hot hatch is so 15 years ago!

[@BassRacerx]

i'm not from europe are these cars more or less expensive than the fiat 500 abarth?

[@RenaultSport133]

About the same money, but the 500 is a class under these cars due it's smaller size and overall performance/handling

[@BassRacerx]

yeah we have the fiat in the states now just not either of these two. after driving a 500 tho i still think i have to have one.

[@RenaultSport133]

Then you would love both of these, Fiat is a nice little car but it's short wheelbase and really blunt steering get in a way of the expirience, engine on the other hand is really good. Here in Europe it's considered more of an fashion item than a real, honest hot hatch.

[@BassRacerx]

Here in the states there's no really small hot hatches there is the fiat, the fiesta ST, the kia forte coupe turbo(ceed), and then the larger cars like the civic SI, focus ST and the Golf GTI but for that much money you can get a well equipped mustang or camaro or WRX because they are actually quite cheep/affordable down here. probably the main reason why cars like these for the most part is not offered down here its hard to sell somebody a tiny car like this for more money than a mustang or WRX. My wishlist for small hot hatches is the Scirracco R, Scirraco GTI, Fiat punto abarth.

[@BassRacerx]

What i lik e about the FIat 500 is the raw experience you get from driving it the mechanical front diff, the manual transmission (although fiat has announced a dual clutch will be optional next year) combined with the turbo engine and the loud exhaust that has no mufflers it just gets your heart racing and with such a small wheelbase and lightness you just allways feel like you are going fast in it and the car will usually out-corner your bravery.

[@LP640Murcielago]

That BEEP on every gear change is completely aggravating. if the best car in the world had that BEEP it'd be enough to make me walk away from it.. I would never buy a car with that.. how in any way is that a good idea. I have ears and eyes, I know when to change gear. Jesus Renault.

[@tinobarbera9420]

change the discs there rubbish .i put on tarox bespoke racing and pads the suspention not good also i fitted bilstien coil overs now its brill. at £ 24 grand......

[@adrianbunyard6015]

Vauxhall beats renault sport on a track... Wtf

[@ListenMeng]

Renault messed up with the new 200 clio.

[@kylebaldwin4325]

Theres a button on the dash called "ESP". Interestingly this turns it off on the Corsa......

[@durbabajovan]

Not fully

[@v_alexiadis]

Yep, I'd go for the Corsa as well. That edition in particular is very good! The Clio remains a disappointment.

[@wHAmEz]

@santclause1 This is true. Well said. I thought I was alone in thinking this

[@G55STEYR]

They skid ugly! They understeer, then countersteer, and they jump back to grip on the back wheels - uglyy. FWD just Not honorable.

[@chengteh]

I can't believe that they would put that annoying beeping sound in that car. That is so tacky and really makes the car sound cheap. Great review, I think Vauxhall looks better.

[@system450]

English brand vs french brand and english driver... doesnt need to be driven to know who will win...

[@Martin0080]

God that beeping is annoying in the Clio

[@xorising]

Unless the car revs like an LF-A or Carrera GT you do NOT need a fucking shift beep. And even then you should be able to turn it off. Imagine doing a burnout in it BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP

[@ravird99]

Love renaul clio ever...

[@dilawer321]

I feel sorry for anyone who buys that clio in a few years, imagine buying a 6k hot hatch then having to spend 3k on the gearbox if it breakes, I know plenty of mk5 golf gti owners who are 3k out of pocket due to dsg gearboxes failing but anyway seriously who buys a hot hatch with a dsg gearbox anyway? Nutters

[@AJBCooper]

The new Clio is such a disappointment, it'd be a Mountune Fiesta ST every time for me.

[@jammymark]

If you want a pen you buy a biro, if you want a biscuit you buy a digestive, and if you want a small hot hatch you buy a clio. The end. 👍

[@Arskite]

Can you really not switch off that beep in the Clio? It's so goddamn irritating!

[@lecco666]

Renault fucked up badly with this version.

[@fabrizioleoni8047]

I'd have the slower, better to drive Fiesta ST...

[@MyRealName]

slower? it's not slower, especially with mountune upgrade

[@santclause1]

This is why i kept my 59reg clio200cup. the real weight of my 200cup was 1080kg and on the rolling road 2 years ago it made 209bhp and 168ft torque. WTF where renault thinking? in reality the NEW 200 turbo weighs closer to 1300kg these fucking idiots go on the spec sheet. oh and since the my cup mad 209bhp it has done 5000miles since. i,ve drove the new fiesta ST. and that too isn,t as hardcore as there saying. infact it feels fucking asthmatic compared to my clio. and it don,t produce as much grip on the limit too. if anybody is looking to get a new hothatch. save some money and buy the best one. which is still a clio 200 cup NA. don,t get the FF version. thats like having a choice between a slim girlfriend or a fat one.

[@skylineXpert]

germans and other europeans gets corsa nurburgring opc

[@toadscrote123321]

After all of this I can't help but thinking the Corsa will inevitably blow up, as every Vauxhall in history has done when thrashed for more than 5 minutes. So even after all the Clios faults I'd still go for that

[@deans1086]

Precisely. The vauxhall will have infinitely more issues than the Clio, not to mention the catastrophic vauxhall depreciation.

[@Stichting-AAP]

That vauxhall is soo outdated.. Its classic these days, so damn old. But atleast its reliable, because this is one of the few GM models that hasnt been recalled..

[@JoJoJoker]

If GM brought this now-old model to the US it'd sell like hotcakes.

[@PeakTorque]

God I hate the renault. Watch EVO diaries and the piece on the 182 trophy, thats the perfect recipe they started with. Subsequent iterations have been filled with dog shit features like the DCT, stupid beeping, bulbous bodies and i'm sorry, playing car sounds through the stereo?! Come on Renault, open your eyes!

[@111YIM]

I love my ST!

[@TinoushGTR]

Opel is one of the most unreliable cars i have seen. For me the nismo engine in the clio.

[@ustad66611]

Holy fuck that BEEEEB sound is annoying

[@matthoulden3725]

the corsa is 0.2 seconds quicker than the astra vxr. not entirely fair battle but same circuit and driver. car manufacturers should put LSD's into front wheel drive cars more often, i put one in my mk6 fiesta ST and it made it seconds a lap quicker on every circuit. the LSD makes that corsa. if they put an LSD in the clio it would be very close indeed.

[@AxlWestside]

couldnt buy the clio just because of that ANNOYING BEEEEP! so freaking annoying... fiesta st would be my choice, or gt 86.