Top Gear Australia - Renault Clio RS vs FPV GT

[@Bunna08]

Good luck fitting your family in the Clio. The GT is built for the Dads of Oz to lug the family around as well as have the power they always wanted. Build for this Country

[@spb0312]

Very well said mate! :)

[@N911GT2]

In europe we are not as fat as in Australia so a Clio will do nicely.

[@rocketmagnet427]

​​@@N911GT2 pretty sure you have bmw 5 series in Europe hell they are built there so you must have heaps of fat people or are the larger cars just for adults and the small fwd cars for kids wife's and girls? I'd like to see a 2 door clip take a full European family. You would have to have rocks in your head to use it for a family car.😂😅

[@birdman351]

love the mighty falcon good old Australian v8

[@ryancorby6158]

you can't beat the rumble of an aussie v8

[@Prissyoh]

This is the reason why Australian manufacturing is going to shit . Why not support Australian made cars than imports. I can clearly see the driver is driving like a a wanker. I have a 06 pursuit ute and if I TURN OFF TRACTION CONTROL and floor it the whole street fills with SMOKE. Mine also came with brembo brakes and I have no problem stopping.. Why promote a French build buzz box here in Australia . WHAT A JOKE. Just to note there were under 100 clio rs sold in Australia . What was the point to this comparison I have no Idea.

[@biggin9077]

+Paul Placucci there's no doubt that the Clio is a brilliant car but I'm not going to drive one of those in the country side on shit Aussie roads, loaded, for hours on end - give me the FPV GT any day. Horses for courses! Besides where the hell can I get parts quickly in the middle of nowhere?

[@avrilcadabra]

Lets not forget Ford makes some of the best hot hatches in the world. Fiesta ST and Focus RS, Xr4's and xr5's.

[@laurencekaminski4050]

The clio still keeps up with an RS on a twisty road

[@Xbcoupe123]

I don’t normally comment on youtube videos, but this has got to be said. The car critics of Australia killed the falcon. I have read a ton of magazine articles and watched a life time of youtube review videos over the years. And boy do they love to highlight all the negative aspects of the falcon. But i knew i wanted to be a ford V8 owner, before we all start driving around in lifeless electric cars. Im 40 years old and in October 2018 I can say that I am the proud owner of a ford fpv gt. My first ever ford V8. A supercharged v8 at that. Despite all the negativity I gathered about this car from the “experts” i absolutely love this machine. Every time I turn the key in my falcon, I smile like a fat kid in front of a birthday cake. Im glad i did not buy my car based on the information the car critics give.

[@Marc-hw4ks]

All fairness at the end of the day the GT flogged it’s ass on the drag strip

[@Monstero5o]

You forget, the Renault is a French Racing hot hatch, and the Falcon GT is a FAMILY SEDAN!!! Put 10K Suspension on the Falcon and it'll run circles around most Supercars.

[@legacyhidef]

you are forgetting how much more expensive the GT is, the thing you need to understand is that you can buy a much much more all rounded car for a lot less

[@Monstero5o]

legacyhidef Yes a 2001 Evo7 with coilovers burns everything, or a fq300 evo8mr takes on a lambo ;)

[@R34GTRR35]

Ah no the falcon is for caravans

[@marklowe7431]

@@R34GTRR35 Maybe a std falcon but who'd be stupid enough to put a tow bar on a GT and screw up a 3k bar.

[@ABCDEFGHIJKELA...]

that Ford GT is absolutely badass. fuck, I wish we had those in the US :( I read the XR6 version had to be detuned in order not to make the V8 look bad, lol. who cares tho, that V8 makes noises that are worth so much more than numbers alone. so sexy, and 4 doors! honestly tho...I'd just buy a new 206mph Hellcat Dodge Challenger instead, but that's just not fair, this Ford GT and XR6 are just awesome machines. I'm so jealous.

[@themancuniancandidate2744]

Brit migrant to Oz here. I actually had a fast Clio a few years back when I was living in Britain (a Clio Williams), and they are hilarious to drive. But they're built to be thrown around country road corners, as fast point to point hot hatches. After moving to the slightly larger and more open spaces of Australia and getting myself a Falcon XR8, I'm mystified as to why the comparison in this episode was made. The Falcon is perfect-and I do mean PERFECT- for Australia. Long straight highways, poor road surfaces in many areas, and absolutely not the arena for a fast Clio to shine. Nobody looking at buying a Clio RS is going to consider a Falcon, and vice versa. Put it this way; if I spent all my time in the city, it'd be the Clio. But for driving hundreds of kms between cities on outback roads? The Clio would be hopeless, and you'd spend the entire journey wishing for more comfort and power.

[@mattswhatiam]

I'd like to see a stock FG XR6 Turbo, with the 6spd auto (Not the clunky manual) go up against the clio. The falcon would clean up every time

[@brocksinclair66]

Lol imagine getting chopped by a Renault hahahah, pathetic ford

[@adzmorris]

As long as you are happy with what you drive that's the main thing.

[@shaalis]

"...Can't find a smile, borrow mine!" that's the best line ever!

[@TheOneEyedSeaEagle]

I'd like to see the Clio pull a trailer with the family inside. When your on an open road travelling the big Aussie Cars are in there prime.

[@68404]

Why do you keep your family in a trailer?

[@darylbull]

Im so happy i dont have to watch this on tv, hardly clarkson may and hammond

[@rwac07]

Should've used a Megane RS or a Golf R and the FPV would've been flogged by more

[@fahadjunkeer6285]

How about with barra

[@rwac07]

@@fahadjunkeer6285 love Barras but falcons are only good for straight line speed IMO

[@lukesm5747]

Yes thats how muscle car works. They are large cruising cars not small hairdressors cars like the ones you mention. In Australia, all the matters is traffic light drags and these piss weak FWD and AWD 4 cylinder shitboxes wont do shit.

[@adzmorris]

It's not a paid review. The rules and regulations on "paid" reviews in commercial media are very very strict. I work in the automotive media industry and have driven both of these cars extensively and I think you would be very surprised at just how awesome the Clio is. Yes the GT has more power but it ways loads more and has trouble getting that power to the ground. It's an amazing engine stuck in an average car. The Clio is just a brilliant piece of engineering. It works so well as a package.

[@adzmorris]

The only issue is that the traction control on the GT is horrible. The car becomes impossible to balance out of a corner because when it detects slip it cuts almost all power. The GT engine is brilliant but the rest of the car is stuck in the dark ages. The Clio is just incredible ALL the time. I have driven both cars extensively and I would buy the Clio everyday!

[@Bryceyboy93]

I'd still take the Falcon, sideways action is fun, its as fast as a Walkinshaw Clubsport, and with $1000 in suspensions mods, it'll handle a lot better.

[@interpolkillersfan93]

But the Clio looks like a fagmobile

[@totalygreat]

I'd still buy the falcon! Sideways is so much more fun! And you can tow, and have a decent family in there and still have pleanty of berries for the overtake!

[@walt9107]

ford needs to bring that car to the us

[@oldfashionedwrx3574]

the imported things are not crap, none of it is crap. holden isn't crap, ford isn't crap, VW isn't crap, subaru isn't crap, toyota isn't crap.

[@potaka79]

Aussie Top Gear have always hated on Ford Australia. Don't know why & that motor is not the Coyote it's the Miami & its hand built here in Australia( the block is American).

[@tomasguida4111]

Yes they're perfect for Australians; it's why it makes me very sad to see imported crap selling better at the moment.

[@adzmorris]

Very well put! And I totally agree. I have been lucky enough to own a couple of WRX's, an Evo and an R32 GTR (amongst a load of other cars). My current drive is a Honda DC2 Integra Type R and is by far the best out of the collection mentioned. I find "I" have to all the work where as the AWD cars were pretty much a matter of point and shoot and the car will sort it all out. It may be different on track where you can do ten tenths but on public roads, I will take the Type R everyday.

[@Lickedykuratz]

PS. Clios are actually a bucket of fun to drive. My mate has a stock as a rock '05 model and it was the most fun I've ever had in a three wheeled car! (True driving enthusiasts will know what I mean)

[@hondacar]

Steve Pizzati can flap his gums as much as he wants on how nimble and fuel efficent the Clio is,but we don't live on a track and for every day driving the GT is more comfortable and has more power to overtake,has four doors and can carry more people than the Clio. The recent RSpec version of the GT will somewhat address the handling" issues" of the GT.

[@Bunna08]

lets not forget, in another few decades that GT will be a collectors piece. No one is gonna give two shits about the renault

[@tomasguida4111]

Commodores and Falcons are no where near the highest quality cars in the world and I'm not claiming that they are. But they're built and designed here to suit our conditions and have always served us well over the years. Imported cars are fine, but why not support locally made products, especially now when they've never been better?

[@bigpapadrew]

the highly manufactured and scripted witty dialogue is not even vaguely believable, nor entertaining

[@ShadowFalcon]

You know what's synonymous with small french hot hatchback? Fun. Renault 5 Turbo, Renault Clio V6, RenaultSport Megan, Peugeot 205 GTI, Peugeot 106 Rallye, Peugeot 205 t16. All of them are know for being some of the most fun drivers cars.

[@tomasguida4111]

You can call them that, but they've served us well for years. The main thing for me is the thousands of Australian workers as well as simply supporting Australian made products.

[@KingOfForest22]

The thing about 'fun' is that it varies from person to person. The Clio may be more fun for you, but the power and handling of the WRX maybe more fun for someone else. It all comes down to personal preference, which is why both cars sell in reasonably good numbers.

[@adzmorris]

Last thing the Falcon needs is more power and stiffer suspension. They need to sort out how under tyred the rear is, put a proper traction control system in it, sort the suspension to be more compliant, sort the throttle response, give it a decent gearbox, sort the chassis balance issues and fix the horrible seating position. More power and stiffer suspension will result in more wheel spin and less lateral control and there for slower lap times. Or if you want to go fast, buy an Evo or Sti.

[@lovacable]

If clio is that good than megane RS265 is just awesome. Im an owner of g6 llimited falcon but my next one is megane RS.

[@TVR161]

so naturally you search youtube to watch clips of what you hate

[@French20cent]

I'm french but... gotta love this Falcon V8 muscle supercharger grunt torque cubic inches petrol Here we put the engine from a Megane 265 in the Clio, problem solved (and it is very simple to do) :D

[@josef959]

Obviously we're not referring to the Aussie built Camry and Aurion

[@appletreepear]

No, but it would still be cheaper to import it than purchase a car of equivalent power (which would be at least twice the price). They've released a much better handling one recently as well called the GT RSpec, and the standard GT is currently 68990 $AU

[@adzmorris]

Totally intelligent answer. So nice to get a non bias reasoning.

[@SodaWolf]

FPV is just too cool for the US :(

[@KingOfForest22]

Not a Ford or Holden 'fan' buy any means, I just buy the car with the best combination of performance, comfort and longevity for a given price. Current car is a 2008 G6E turbo that I bought for $29k with 60,000km on the clock. Hoping to use it for the next 5-10 years. Given the way Ford/Holden are going at the moment, my next car will most likely be a Hyundai Genesis V8 once they bring it to Aus, assuming they price it competitively. Otherwise wouldn't mind a Tesla Model S.

[@madcuntmcgee1955]

they missed the part where anyone who buys that clio is a poof

[@fatcat8776]

what they failed to mention is that Australia is a big country and lots of people travel on highways everyday to get to work, which would you rather do it in? Don't see many chicanes on the freeway these days

[@falconpowerful2362]

Honestly? My Fiesta Econetic. Still comfy on long drives (at least 7 hours a week on inland Qld highways), great features, handling and safety (which sucks when you want to have fun, granted), but driven properly I'm getting high 2's to low 3's litres per 100km... 40L can get me well over 1000km if I stay at 100km/h...

[@adzmorris]

Xerexize I apologise and stand corrected. I am a huge fan of the XR6T/F6 and still consider it to be THE best Aussie made car. Quick question? If Kia or Hyundai made a RWD turbo 6 that was produced in Australia and performed better than anything previously made in Australia, would you consider buying it? Just wondering if it is brand loyalty that keeps Aussies buying our home made performance cars or if it is a purchase based on sheer performance and the brand doesn't matter?

[@adzmorris]

Question to all the Ford/Holden fans. If Kia or Hyundai made an Australian produced RWD V8 or Turbo 6 sedan that was better value, better quality and performed better than anything else previously made in Australia, would you buy it? Just wondering if it is brand loyalty that keeps Aussies buying these cars or if it just outright performance and value and the brand doesn't matter?

[@rileylittle9349]

The Ford got there better looking

[@johnnyhohenzollern165]

I would pick the FPV at anytime even it doesnt handle very well at the corners. V8 sound, comfy and good looking are my first priority when buying a car. If i wanna have some fun and good handling, I just get the old Honda civic.

[@RLN13S]

At the end of the day the gt is running next to no boost from factory. The clio looks like a girls car and will only ever do okay on the track but the falcon with stiffer suspension and more power will kill it. 2 completely different cars, a family sedan and a 2 door hatch

[@marklowe7431]

Bough a new car every 2-3 years since getting my license. 2004 bought a GT and couldn't trade it. Still have it. The BA-F and the FG's are decent cars. People rant trash about the Boss but with a few things to sort they're a bulletproof engine and supercharged how fast do you want to go........ The yanks now have the Ford mods running 5.4 sec 1/4's. Boss 'n Barra!

[@TVR161]

Holden owner here, And I've had 4 Holdens now, I would buy something like that, Im not loyal to the brand so to say, but they seem to tick the boxes of what im after (relatively cheap, power, features etc)

[@bjdtekins]

It's annoying when people say this version of Top Gear sucks.. Yes it isn't Top Gear UK but their still awesome! I mean come on! Shane (Aka Kenny) is on the show!

[@iArkayne]

I've bought an FG XR6 Turbo and an FG GT 335 simply based on features, price and outright performance. I was very much looking forward to replacing the GT with a Toyota 86, until I heard it was a N/A 4 cylinder. If they turbo'd it from factory and had a 45k price on it, and it was performing 0-100km/h runs in under 5 seconds, I'd buy it in a heart-beat.

[@adzmorris]

Until it rains or you come across any corners. And mate, while the XR6T is awesome, it is hardly Australian made. Italian brakes, European suspension components, Japanese developed wiring loom, majority of dress parts are from China or Korea, Engine development team are majority euro, Japanese turbo, german gearbox and the chassis basis was done in the UK. Just like Australia, it is totally multi cultural.

[@nalindownanout3052]

Aussie cars, I had 4 Holden V8s and they all leaked oil. Now I have a 10 year old Subaru STI and not a drop leaking and still goes hard.

[@0tothezenith]

have had fords and holdens (preferred), its a bang-for-buck thing

[@AussieFalcons9]

BEING HAPPY IS GOING SIDEWAYS AND BURNING RUBBER WITH 335KW OF FALCON GT GRUNT! no small and shittyness

[@adzmorris]

True but the Clio would be more "fun" than the WRX. Depends what you require. For fun buy the Clio, for speed buy the WRX. Speed and power do not equal fun. Some of the most fun I have had in cars have been in the least powerful cars I have owned. And some of the most underwhelming cars I have driven have been some of the most powerful.

[@DRXR6T]

THIS IS NOT A RACETRACK!!! TAKE IT TO BATHURST AND YOU'LL SEE WHO WINS!!!

[@lgliam]

Yes the Falcon has so much more power, but the Clio would be more fun, as corners are fun. Not going in straight lines...

[@ReaLzEdits]

You're going to have more fun in the ford mate. Im a holden fan but it would take a man of steel to not laugh and giggle as your hooning about and sliding around the corners.

[@avrilcadabra]

***** Curious, what do you think about xu-1's people said the same thing about them in the early 70's

[@avrilcadabra]

***** fair enough, they were always quicker through the corners though much like these small modern cars. For some people passing a v8 around a corner is fun.

[@lowfatedes]

You need an engine as new or newer than the car to pass emission reqs

[@mikldude]

our big Aussie cars do tick boxes, family cruiser, tow vehicle, grand tourer, race heritage, in your face looks, decent performance with all above, built in Australia, driving position , i`m 6`1, i like it, i did`nt know you could only be a car enthusiast if you a drove a dedicated. sports car.

[@Roger1379]

most Australian's don't want to feed a 1.8tonne gas guzzling boat.

[@jagstax7746]

Man I'm happy there is no more Aus Top Gear and why? WHY!? Put the GT down so much over this... Stupid show as it was

[@julianshield1]

So us Aussies have to put up with poorly built cars to give jobs to some bogans in Victoria? No thanks.

[@VodkaFlint]

Notice how Steve Pizati is a RACECAR Driver

[@SigFaus]

I am from Italy. That is a nice job. I hope I will meet more people like you in Australia.

[@fpvgtking]

WELL DONE POOFTERS! VERY good way to promote australian cars, on an AUSTRALIAN tv show! this is why topgear aust went down hill!! AND sucked in to that!!

[@MsNosaj]

that mean nothing, brembo ap racing or something else, they need a good configuration nice balance etc. its brembo on the clio and its perfectly balanced, not on the falco.

[@TVR161]

Because the contract says they have to copy the UK version.

[@adzmorris]

Good answer. So what about in a situation where Ford/Holden finished production of Falcon/Commodore and shut down all Australian manufacturing yet Kia/Hyundai both built an excellent Australian developed and manufactured rear drive V8. Would this get you driving these brands? And all brands have had their periods of shocking quality. Ford Capri, Ford Probe, Holden Camira, VB Commodore but most brands rise above these issues. Toyota and Datsun were rubbish but now look at the LFA and GTR!

[@Prissyoh]

Just to note there were only 69 clio rs sold in Australia . What was the point to this comparison I have no Idea.

[@Mailme81]

The Golf R otherwise has been a joy - great on petrol, great interior, and it goes excellent now that its sorted. I had the hardest time with Holden to try and even get it repaired. My only Faultless cars I have ever owned.. Subaru WRX and BMW 325CI. Seriously, ordered, oil changed, end of story. NO rattles, Noises, nothing. perfect from day 1 to finish.

[@7s29]

Hey should have tested the falcon turbo six, it handles better than the eight, and has almost as much power. The little pocket rockets are really nice, but I don't think they'll have the reliability of the falcon. The falcon is an easy car to work on, parts are cheap, and they're practical. At least you can fit 5 proper sized adults in the falcon, you can't do that with the match box.

[@SuperAWSOMEINATOR]

I'm from canada. We get american cars. The Mustang Shelby GT500 (produced by ford) currently makes 550 HP, or 404 KW of power. We win

[@deanamalfitano3126]

give the gt 335 to the real top gear let Clarkson get a hold of it

[@BluSteelCo]

Nah, every top gear is the same

[@ParalyzedNight]

So in the end, the GT won around the top gear test track.

[@adzmorris]

Sexist much? Check out the lap times in the upcoming Motor Hot Tuner Issues. I think a certain renault megane, lotus elise, few golf r's, couple of Toyota 86's may disagree with the being smashed on a track vs a huge horsepower V8. Mate nothing wrong with a big Aussie V8 but I don't need to toe anything and don't have kids so I don't need a family car!

[@Pivotmasterblackbird]

To be fair it was Muscle car VS Sport Hatch. On a track with a lot of curves and a wet zone.

[@Jennifer812]

Hahaha I love the comments, so funny. I have a renault RS200 and most days its the v8 falcons and commodres that find the need to try and prove that their car can go fast in a straight line...wooooow. For those bashing the clio really need to drive one, it's handling can't be matched to a FPV or HSV vehicle.

[@santclause1]

these are 200,s with cup chassis? not a full blooded 200cup. therefore the 200cup would be 2sec faster than the 200with cup chassis because it,s lighter, 2 percent stiffer,better dampers. not sure if you guys have the option of a 200cup. but if you can then you should.

[@OliverMoore1973]

The Falcon looked good in white with black decals ...👍

[@HoldenFordFan]

Pizzati was sliding around like a pratt, and even racing drivers say the FPV stops. Really looks like the tires were shot too, John Mcintyre took the GT round a track with 3 people in it, lap after lap driving grip, no problem.

[@xr8brisbane]

Does this not show what we all already know? The falcon has a huge amount more power so of course its going to be quicker in a straight line. The clio is half the weight so obviously its going to go around corners quickers

[@adzmorris]

Mate if you ever come here let me know! Might be able to be a tour guide!

[@jimmysando99]

As if the Clio would have won that second race! old mate was definitely pushing for over-steer. If he had of tried he could have easily caught the Clio. Both good car's in their own right, but i'd still buy the GT.

[@adzmorris]

So the fact the new Kia Optima has won a host of design awards internationally means you will be wanting a Kia then? Try spell check too!

[@Lickedykuratz]

When you are actually "Grand Touring (GT) and not trying to win races, the falcon is a bloody good car that is horribly underrated. You want to be able to hustle around the city at 10/10ths, then I would suggest a ford focus ST. Leave the Clios for people who like low rent interiors and yawn inducing exteriors! Rant over

[@australianmade74]

I look at value for money....horespower for dollars. However I have noticed ford and holden (fpv and hsv) have let the ball go. I was looking upgrade my gt when i came across a chyrsler dealer and test drove a new 300c srt. My god so much power and so modern in terms of safety and electronics. Cheaper than both and so much more for your dollar......so i Bought it. go the hemi

[@adzmorris]

Where are you from? I attend multiple track days and occasionally work for a couple of very respected motoring magazines here in Australia and while there are Aussie V8's that are set up well and tick most of the performance car boxes, I would say the majority of serious Australian car enthusiasts drive serious performance cars (911's, Evo's, STi's, GTR's, Golf R's, Lotus etc etc). Unfortunately there are a few "pretend" car enthusiasts who just want huge power and have no idea about balance.

[@noelwebb6843]

AK Morris, what tracks? Both SS Commodores & Falcon GT's will eat the rice burners & are much closer to the porsches on performance than they are on cost

[@deathnights-bane3301]

I mean.. I drive around my falcon listening to thev wiggles with the bois

[@Bunna08]

the FPV comes with Brembos. Dont know why pizzapenus keeps crapping on about brakes

[@josef959]

You think that Subaru WRX, Golf R, and BMW 325CI are imported crap? That's what your implying by using those cars as examples to disprove the statement 'imported crap.'

[@adzmorris]

4 blokes of about 6ft in a car together? Are they on their way to Mardi Gras? Can I swap the 4 blokes for one hot girl?

[@SupremeMoFo]

So you've never watched Top Gear before?

[@friggincanvee]

this clip hasnt been widened enough.

[@adzmorris]

In the same way when Toyota re-badged a Commodore and called it the Toyota Lexan the sales were rubbish. And the Nissan R31 Skyline never sold as well as a VL Commodore even though (exterior and interior finish excluded) it was the same car (the skyline fit and finish killed the VL). Gives you an idea of how shallow and uneducated the Australian motoring public are.

[@morgandavie4076]

notice how the FPV was slower than every holden apart from the VE omega!! :'')

[@titin200]

huh?

[@morgandavie4076]

on the power lap board

[@titin200]

Morgan Davie The W427 and the walkinshaw beat it. You'd hope it would.

[@morgandavie4076]

but even a standard clubsport beat it, and this FPV is meant to be the GTS rival

[@ronaldhowsley6725]

+Morgan Davie Yeah and your meant to be intelligent.

[@berserka]

looked like the Ford didnt lose by much on the track any way.. qiucker in a 1/4 and put a real driver behind the wheel and it prolly wouldnt be massivly different..

[@Gavs_rc_hobbies]

Give me aussie muscle over a french toaster any day.