Abarth, Mini, Opel and Renault: heroines in miniature - Sportscars
It is rare to find ideal conditions for a face-to-face meeting, but today it seems that we have succeeded: a winter day like some others, a winding and deserted road and a quartet of very sharp compact sports cars, the latest and most aggressive. in the category.
A few years ago, a hatchback with a capacity of more than 200 hp. would be considered a curiosity, but today two hundred horses is the minimum to awaken the imagination of driving enthusiasts. This is a much loved niche filled with intriguing and very different cars. Four are participating in our test today.
La Renault Sport has become synonymous with fantastic sports compact cars and Clio RS Cup this is an EVO favorite. This is so important, it has such perfect dynamics and price In general, it is reasonable that it is difficult to resist this. Its naturally aspirated 2-litre engine produces 197 hp. is a real bomb, but due to its tendency to increase the speed and lack of torque, it loses a little to the new turbocharged competitors.
Like RenaultSport, Mini и Opel they know how to make a good sports compact, hence the appearance on the market Mini coupe и Opel OPC Nürburgring this should not be taken lightly. With a bit of power and a ton of extra torque, they have what it takes to give the Clio a lot of trouble.
No EVO group test is complete without a sui generis guest star, so we invited her too Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari. At this price, it's a crazy car, but with 178bhp delivered by a small 1,4-litre turbo coupled with a single-clutch paddle transmission and enough carbon fiber to compete with a Pagani, a chili-packed Fiat in a pocket version - good variation on the theme.
Four cars are competing for attention, but the Mini intrigued me the most, so I decide to release it first. IN windshield prone, roof The bubble and truncated tail are certainly great design cues, but overall they give it a weird look. Personally, no matter how hard I try, I can't forget that his designer was inspired by a baseball cap worn backwards. It seems so ugly, a bit like the way your father dances Macarena ...
THE interiorLike the exterior, they have a lot to get used to. This new Mini is trying too hard to please in my opinion, but it cannot be denied that the quality is superior to the Abarth and Renault. Screen with speedometer e navigator Integrated is huge, but ironically it's hard to tell how fast you are progressing. The two-seat cockpit seems a bit narrow, but thanks to the domed roof, there is plenty of headroom, especially for tall ones. There rear visibility however, this is terrible.
The driving position is not bad. When you are in a low position, you feel one with the machine. Crown steering wheelhowever, it is too large and appears to have been infected with the elephantiasis of the BMW M division. The 1,6-liter turbocharged engine is powerful from the start and smoothly but aggressively moves towards the 6.500 rpm red line. With 260 Nm already at 1.850 rpm, the JCW Coupé has "serious" torque, allowing it to overtake at gunpoint when accelerating even in the highest gears. On the other hand, in low gears it is often too demanding. framewho writhes from the couple's reaction to steering.
Generally speaking, the Mini is a really fast car with brakes a big and big change, but you have to get used to his behavior. The steering wheel transmits a small gap between front and rear response, which tends to exacerbate its rebellious open throttle behavior. When you turn offESP The coupe struggles to find traction (it uses electronics to mimic the behavior of a limited slip differential) and also performs surprisingly in corners and when you take your foot off the gas pedal. Hence, this is a hyperactive car to say the least, and on bumpy roads full of corners, it is on the verge of resilience. Perhaps the Mini specialists took a step longer than the leg with the engine and suspension. John Cooper Works? Based on this test, I would say yes.
From controversial Mini looks to Hollywood OPC Race... Even with this Kermit livery, the Corsa is fantastic, so close to the ground and full of ultra-precise details. Compared to the standard Corsa OPC, this version Nürburgring has springs and shock absorbers Bilstein, Thelowered finish 20 mm at the front and 15 mm at the rear, Brembo brakes improved, lighter alloy wheels and differential mechanical limited slip, and an improved turbocharged 1.6 engine with exhaust and electronic changes to bring power up to 210 hp. and torque up to 280 Nm. The leather upholstery and Nürburgring decals contribute to its success in different ways: some are fantastic and others are gaudy, something like the Ring on the other side. But there is no doubt that this version is a good gift for car enthusiasts and that it justifies the additional 4.000 euros you have to pay to take it home instead of the standard OPC.
After being hyperactive, the Mini Corsa seems a little sluggish at first. IN steering lighter and the steering wheel turns less, and suspensionseven if they are tough, they have more control and consistency. IN Speedit's a little awkward with this big, oddly shaped lever, but you'll quickly learn to make the most of it.
There is a phase in which OPC seems to overwhelm you, but gradually reveals a more determined character and all its qualities, making you want to get to know him better and better. With more torque than the Mini JCW, Nürburgring edition it seems less harsh on stage accelerationbut this is more a matter of delivery than actual performance. Even at the level sound Opel is inferior to Mini, which is a bit disappointing considering it's a special edition.
On the other hand, however, when you ride it on the same roads as the JCW, the Corsa is quieter and has a lot more traction on its side. you feel differential in action, and as soon as you turn the throttle back on after a nose turn, you can hear the inner front wheel pulling the car and shortening its trajectory. To ride it better, you need to change your driving style, but once you understand how to accept it, you can blindly trust its qualities when cornering.
If only it was possible to correct the trajectory with the help of the accelerator ... Opel (or rather its sports division, OPC) traditionally creates incredibly stable cars, and the Corsa Nürburgring is a great example of this. It has excellent traction and 100% reliability, but when you do push (with ESP off) it leans too much on the outside front wheel and refuses to succumb to the temptation, provocation or compulsion to follow a certain trajectory by taking your foot off the wheel. gas when entering a turn. This is frustrating, if only because it is obvious that this is a choice and not a technical flaw on the part of the OPC engineers.
If OPC wants to understand what constitutes a good speaker, it must learn Clio RS Cup... We have praised this car everywhere, but it deserves them all, because no sports compact car can be as efficient and attractive. This, obviously, does not mean that it is perfect, as soon as you step on the gas pedal, the first thought is: "where did all the power go?" The answer comes after 1.500 rounds. Because the Clio needs speed the way we need oxygen. The higher the rpm, the better, so much so that in order to unleash all 197 hp, you need to reach 7.100, 5.400 and 215 at XNUMX Nm of torque.
So it's better to forget about the normal driving that is good for Mini and Corsa and embrace the “drive it like you stole it” style, allowing the Clio to come alive in your hands. As boss Harry Metcalfe points out, it's all about making sure you have enough free space in front of you ... but when that happens, RenaultSport turns out to be from another planet. Everything about it is so communicative, from fantastic brakes to precise and quick gear changes like a whip to four-wheel clutch. This car has everything a good friend should be: predictable, comfortable, inspiring, enthusiastic, reliable and always forgiving. In my opinion, there are no others on the market today. front-wheel drive so ready-made and so adaptable.
This is very important in terms of comfort, but it is also the cheapest car available today, and with a price difference, you can afford several options. IN Recaro in fabric they are perfectly functional and help to create the perfect atmosphere, as in the 997 GT3 RS, but in general the materials and interior do not live up to the level of the Mini and Corsa. Those who love soft plastics may disregard the Clio, but this shortcoming is a small price to pay for its brilliant dynamics.
You can't help but smile as you look at him Abarth 695, price It's a blunder - €2.000 more than the Mini and a whopping €9.000 more than the Clio - but there's something special about all that leather, fancy rims, quad exhaust pipes, enamel logos and carbon fiber. She embodies her role as a Ferrari baby well, and the paddle drivetrain and perforated front and rear discs help her identify with the character.
Other details, however, are less convincing. For example, Plastics they look substandard, as do the air conditioner switches. I think it's impossible to completely hide the machine on which the 695 is based, but a little Alcantara Would give the upholstery a little class.
Once you turn the key, Tribute will do whatever it takes to get you back. These four tailpipes have a real turbo note that offers good momentum and a ton of fun. The seat is quite high compared to the steering wheel, but with two pedals, the driver's position is less problematic than the 500 Esseesse with a manual transmission. To wake up the engine, press the number 1 button. Then you can choose between manual and automatic mode. Having said that, it seems like a waste of time, but the controls are so intuitive that you get used to it quickly. However, at low speeds, it goes a little jerky.
The most important button is the one with the inscription Sportsthat gives a good boost to the life of the reaction accelerator and transmission. At this point, the Abarth 695 becomes fast and sharp, even at low and medium revs. Despite only having five gears, the 1,4-liter turbo has enough torque to keep them running. If you open the throttle and enjoy its speed, the 695 seems to accelerate to 145 km / h and then drop back to its natural speed.
Then it's really fun, but it's also a magnet for the police ...
If the pace and power are impressive and interesting, the suspension and steering are less impressive. The shocks are rougher than the Esseesse, but if you've ever ridden one of them, you know that that alone doesn't mean anything. The four wheels always seem to be hectic, and if you get a sequence of bumps and bumps, the 695 bounces and bounces in a rather unpleasant way. Then, when you walk at a certain speed, this tendency can cause you to deviate from the trajectory, but if you slow down the pace, you can keep it under control.
The most annoying thing is that it steering almost completely inert. It's a real shame, because the 695 is a car that makes you drive with a knife between your teeth, but with its dead steering, you can't feel if the tires are letting go or not. The steering becomes oddly sticky in the center and transmits unusual drag through the crown. Better steering feedback will help to partially forget about bad dampers, but both together are a conspiracy if you want to drive a car seriously.
VERDICT
After reflection and rethinking, we decided to put in third place the same Mini и Abarth. The first is an odd car both in terms of looks and concept, to the point where it's hard to see why two seats were sacrificed without gaining some performance and a bit of personality in the process. Not to mention, it's also not that great to drive, which is disappointing and strange for a Mini. The second issue is cost combined with dynamic constraints. The hammer's inert steering and air suspension hinder its speed, especially on country roads. But despite everything, it's a beautiful car, and that says a lot about its charm: if we had the money, we probably would have bought it.
On the second step of the podium we find OPC Race... With its styling, build quality, and respectable performance, it's a marvel. His agility and the bond he creates with the driver on one side and the road on the other is not up to standard Cleo but he has a lot of talents and charm on his side.
Victory goes Clio RS Cup... It's undeniable that you have to work hard to get the most out of it, but on the funniest roads, this is arguably the best front-wheel drive.
