Ford, Mini, Nissan, Peugeot and Renault: the final test - Sports Cars
In the intense blue SKY, a red-hot ball burns the skin and red-hot the license plates of the cars stopped in the parking lot. There is not even a cloud to pay for it. I have never seen such a clear day in the Elan Valley. And I've never had so much fun driving on those Welsh roads. The asphalt belt is so curvy and narrow that no supercar, not even a 911 or Caterham, could do better. These small the sport is just perfect. And (I'll explain soon why there are more Juke).
So far this has been an interesting test. Parked next to each other, these cars are as varied as their category can be, both in looks and driving style. We make presentations: first - new Peugeot 208 GTiwhich everyone hopes will be a fresh start for the French lion. Then there is Renault Clio RS Turbo с Cup frame and a new double clutch... RenaultSport's dominance of hot hatches in recent years has been so complete that perhaps we could even spare ourselves the problem and hand over the crown straight away. But calm down. We may be surprised ...
Behind Clio is Mini John Cooper Works... Although she is the oldest of those present, she is also the most powerful and will not fight newcomers. There Ford Fiesta STshining in blue paint, on the other hand, it is the least powerful (182 hp), but it is also the least expensive and protects well with 290 Nm of torque.
Then there is Nissan... I bet, looking at the opening image, you wondered why the photographer's car ended up in the frame with four challengers. Instead, she also participates in this test. Now I will explain why. With a capacity of 200 hp and a torque of 240 Nm transmitted to the ground from the front, Speed instruction, coat of arms We did not on the back and price at just over 27.000 euros, not to mention the hatchback configuration, it is well placed to take part in this challenge. Rumor has it that so small SUV will sell the pattern, and so we decided to go with the flow and test it. Only time - and the Welsh roads - will tell if that's okay.
WHERE - and by any car - you will enter the Elan Valley and have fun. Behind the wheel CleoThe first impression is that the new RS is much larger than the previous one, but along with the weight, technology has grown, and much more. Just look at the bridge with its big touch screen to realize it immediately. Even navigator it is excellent, and connecting a mobile phone to the system does not present the slightest problem. When it comes to electronics, this Clio is on par with many luxury cars.
But since this is RS, that's not all. If you researchRS Monitor you will discover graphs, tables and data that are worthy of a university mathematics exam. This is a kind of elaborate and graphically beautiful version of the GT-R 2.0 system. And, as with the GT-R, it's completely useless when you're driving fast and the graphics get interesting because at that point you don't have a chance to look at them.
Another important news Cleo it is technical in nature: the transition from the naturally aspirated 2-liter to the 1.6 turbo (hp, on the other hand, is always 200) and the gearbox. From the column steeringin fact, two small and fragile plastic levers pop up, and many people are concerned (as in the case of the 911 GT3) that by ditching the manual transmission in favor of a dual clutch, driving will become less fun and interactive. Personally, I think being able to keep both hands on the wheel at all times and change it at the end is fun for the type of driving that compact sports cars require, but of course, if it's to live up to its excellent reputation in the management, it must be a good system. In the beginning, on the freeway, I let the RS gearbox do its job without a hitch, and I must say that under these conditions, the Clio's transmission feels very neat and precise.
At the motorway exit, the number of sheep increases, the turns are clean, and in this ideal environment, Clio demonstrates that engine and the transmission will be changed, but frame he's great as always. The steering is slightly less responsive than before, but it is very precise and the front end has good traction when cornering.
But even if Cup frame attractive and familiar, you feel that this new Clio is less harsh than its predecessors, due to the extra pounds due to the car's greater mass and heavier gearbox. Some of the previous flexibility has been lost and there is some delay in responding to input, even if it's a matter of moments. Even the dual clutch is not a splinter: there is a certain amount of time between the moment the blade is pulled and a successful gear change. You can shift multiple gears at the same time by holding the left lever down while entering a corner, but even then it will take some time and you will not be in full control of the situation.
The arrival of Metcalfe, Vivian, Smith and Beaumont at the rendezvous point, at the foot of a fascinating series of hairpin bends and in an area devoid of any cell phone signal (much to Harry's annoyance), is heralded by a series of whistles from Poor tires out of their compacts, all knocking well on turns in and out of them. And since we all obviously had the same idea and bought sandwiches at the gas station, we all sat down and ate them on the wall. Belly full Dean and I take 208 GTi and we go in search of some beautiful place for photographs.
The first thing that catches your eye in the new Peugeot this is his lowercase letter steering wheel... It's more suited to a video game than a real machine, and is so small it looks like it was washed after being washed at a 90-degree angle in a washing machine. Not only is it oddly small, it also partially covers the tachometer and speedometer.
THE interiorLike the Clio, they don't look like the plastic cabins you'd expect from a little Frenchie. There is also a large screen in the center of the dashboard, but the best part is the handle. Speed in metal, which conveys a sense of security and confidence that it is already a great gearbox.
When we first rode it, there 208 GTI It disappointed us very much: the roads of the south of France were too beautiful to really have fun. Today we want to see if the situation will change on our favorite roads - and much more demanding than on French ones. It has been a long time since I set foot on this road, but I remember well its impossible turns. And yet Peugeot looks at it as a straight line. The road, originally with two carriageways, passes through a wide and open valley, then narrows until it becomes a single carriageway when the valley closes, becoming a kind of gorge in the mountains. It's a track full of bumps and bumps that throw the car off balance, but good visibility allows you to forcefully open the throttle.
It's fun and suspensions GTi absorb most blackouts without any problems. In a manner 208 it's still too perfect, especially on the not-so-harsh note of the engine, but the more you drive and strain it, the more you realize how well it's been cared for. 1,6-liter turbocharged engine with 200 hp has extra power, but the real star is the suspension. Peugeot claims it didn't use a track to develop the GTi, and from what I understand, that was a good thing, because the softness and long travel of the suspension allows it to take corners one after the other smoothly and smoothly. continuous path. The rear of the 208 comes into play, but is quieter than on the Clio. A couple of times, braking late into a tight corner, the 208 started sideways, but it was easy to catch and far from the heartbreaking drifts of the old Peugeot GTi.
We struggle to find the right spot for the photos (I think it's because I'm having too much fun and don't want to stop, so I pick on everything Dean has to offer), and in the end, I suggest Smith is right-handed with a slight brow ridge. “Maybe I can even get her to lift the wheel,” I dare.
Dean gets up with his Nikon and I disappear around the bend. Thirty seconds later, I get out of the bump with not one, but all four wheels in the air. I wonder what the landing will be like, I also see that there is a new turn nearby and that I will have to prepare the car as soon as it puts the tires on the ground. Answer: very good. There 208 this is one of the best cars to "fly", thanks also to the suspension, which responds very well to landing. Imagine throwing yourself onto your bed: the ideal is a mattress soft enough to absorb the impact without jumping out, but also supportive enough that you don't feel the slatted bottom or the boards underneath. It's a tricky combination, but Peugeot succeeded.
Back at the meeting point (or picnic area, depending on how similar you are to Bear Grylls), I decide to try the Mini after the Peugeot, due to engine shared, even if it is more powerful than 11 hp. Some love design The Mini is so unique and unconventional while others find it too fake and retro, but everyone agrees that it is a quality car. Inside, it's low and small, and the vertical windshield makes it even more intimate than the others. THE points not very supportive, butAlcantara it looks out of place on the steering wheel, but otherwise it's an interesting and very intimate place, even when compared to other contenders.
Repeating the same route with the Mini that I had walked a few minutes earlier in the Peugeot, the contrast between the two could not have been sharper. Compared to Peugeot JCW it seems half way suspensions... She is always busy on bumps and bumps and stubbornly clings to the asphalt when cornering. The dampers are okay, but the overall feel is like a kart-style car with immediate response. It targets corners like a hound, finds all anti-theft slopes, and locks in front when you hit the brakes. And then it's very fast.
While Peugeot allows you to completely disable ESP, the Mini JCW has a mode Sports and three levels of DSC that you can use. The Sport setting affects both steering both on delivery and if we never give up the extra power, the steering in this setting will be too physical, especially on twisty and bumpy roads like this one. But you will soon learn to rely on the added weight and precision of Sport Mode, letting the Mini run at full throttle in tight corners and enjoy its brilliance.
From the smallest to the tallest. Let's jump on the Juke We did not and the conditions are already good. IN steering wheel it is pleasant to the touch and covered Alcantara in the right places (even if not adjustable in depth), I points they are comfortable and Speed this guide. The visibility is excellent, both on the road and on the hood, characterized by two domes that look like bulging frog eyes. Since the Mini has the same engine as the 208, Juke shares it with the Clio. To be fast, it's fast, but where is RS (which has intake manifold и block different) has sound decided, full of gurgling, muttering and clapping, Nissan it has a bad soundtrack. This is a kind of shallow washing machine with a whistle in the nose (despite the fact that high school graduation the size of a cannon).
On the other hand, the view from the height of the road is encouraging. It makes you feel invincible and makes you ride the Nissan over bumps and bumps as if you were driving a car. pull together, roll decreases but barycenter high and long term suspensions under those cartoonish wheel arches, they feel, and how. The result is a machine that doesn't have the slightest precision when you pull on your neck. With this square wheelbase, at first you think it's easy to slip in and out of corners if you hit the braking point, but then you find the rear is inert and not going to follow the front. If you open the throttle too much in corners, traction becomes a problem because the suspension has a hard time keeping both front wheels on the ground, although thankfully the Juke's reaction in this area is not sudden and does not leave you gray hair.
I must admit that when I step into the Fiesta, I breathe a sigh of relief. The first impression is that it's a calming and straightforward machine: a bit like a guy who looks you straight in the eye and shakes your hand hard. IN steering wheel it adjusts to your liking, the pedals are in perfect position and the Recaro seat is pleasantly low and comfortable thanks to the side shoulders. The only disadvantages are Plastics look a little flimsy and a dozen small buttons for radio, phone and CD player that seem to be randomly placed on the dashboard.
I hit the starter, insert the first stud I find, disengage, lifting my foot off the throttle at the cable point, and noisy party lifts the inner wheel like a dog on a lamppost. It sounds like the easiest thing in the world, and it's a good sign that it's going to be fun. Its 1.6 EcoBoost is engine less powerful than the company, but also produces the most natural reactions. In addition, he loves to go upstairs. Even sound fantastic, with a slight metallic buzz and Speed he is agile and agile.
At low speeds, the front end periodically shakes, but the handling is good and the feedback gives steering e frame they are great when the tempo is increased. In terms of balance, it resembles the Clio (but with less weight: the Fiesta ST is the lightest of the contenders), with a front end that follows the trajectory precisely and a sharp rear end, but with ease of handling. The amazing thing is that the frame is lively and adjustable, but when you push it to the limit, it becomes incredibly calm. Chassis, steering, brakes and accelerator interact very well with each other, and this allows you to have more freedom and calmly overcome even the most difficult corners.
At some point, I come to a turn with a bump that you can overcome or get around. Obviously with noisy party I decide to take it to the fullest. And ST takes off. This is amazing. Despite the lack of a differential, the Fiesta has ample traction in the subsequent long left-hander. It is a pity that it is already getting dark, I would have been driving it for hours. Returning to Ryader to reach the hotel, it is pleasant to look into the mirrors of the Fiesta and see a train of compact cars follow it, sparkling in the middle of the now dark wasteland. This is a hot hatch heaven.
At dinner, Vivian says she doesn't remember a group test in which the four applicants were so similar in step, but so different in style. Harry seems to be more worried about the salmon he ordered, and when we ask him if everything is ok, he mutters that "the sauce tastes strange." Note that the menu spoke of Dutch. Harry frowns and says that he absolutely needs to find his glasses, but no one dares to tell him that they are on his head.
The next morning, when we return to the Elan Valley, we will find the same paradise as the day before. I come driving We did notwhich is best when he finds his perfect rhythm and does not strain her neck too much. As Vivian said yesterday, "he is ideal if you use seven-tenths of his power, leaving a few HP in reserve for overtaking." Even if he never found steering more insensitive than Nismo ...
Fifth in the ranking with these premises Juke it is not a surprise. When it comes to deciding who to move to fourth place, it seems like the end of the world is coming: we're talking about Cleo... But when you ride it after other rivals, you immediately notice that it is too big and heavy. IN the weight The Extra feels bumpy and when changing direction, and lacks the vibrancy and vibrancy that a small hot hatch should have. (In Bedford, we put all the competition on the scale and find out that the Renault Sport Clio is the heaviest at 1.294 kg, although Renault claims the same weight as the old Clio RS, or 1.204 kg. It's even heavier than the Juke.)
For Harry, the biggest problem with Clio is Speed“Ditching the manual gearbox might have been a good choice too, but the new gearbox had to be absolutely perfect. It, on the other hand, looks like a first try and gets in the way of the fun. " Vivian is categorical: “from the stars to the stable. I almost want to cry. "
I can't resist: I need to make the last circle in the third test. Handbrake crossings in a dirty parking lot at the end of the road signal that you are tempted to have fun. 208 GTI... This is not ideal (note high school graduation with a bit more character and more responsive steering), but you can push it to the limit and beyond without any problem. As Vivian says, agility and lightness frame they are excellent both on these roads and in everyday life. At some point, Harry does not want to go down again: “For me, this is a real surprise for this test. It's nice to have one again Peugeot among the big ones. "
Undoubtedly on the skin Mini she seems to be the fastest in the group: sometimes she is so hungry that it is difficult to find a rhythm. Vivian loves it: “With her it seems that he bends, revolving around one point, Seat driver. And then this capture to infinity. If suddenly a sheep jumps out in the middle of the road, the only car with which he will have a chance is a Mini, thanks steering harsh and very direct answers. With the Mini, you can choose a trajectory with millimeter precision, curve after curve, one straight after another, with determination and determination. " While the JCW is a lot more expensive than other contenders, a cheaper Cooper S or JCW might do the trick, but the Mini comes in second.
First place goes unanimously Fiesta ST. “All things considered – and you get the sense that Ford has really thought of everything – this is exactly what a sporty little compact car should be,” says Vivian. It is comprehensive, adaptable, sensitive and accessible. It won't be the fastest, docile, or richest in traction, but overall it will be the most "fair", all components harmonize with each other, from the driving position to the wide power delivery to the essential controls and progressive. It's so well designed that if you find yourself in front of a remote and winding Welsh lane on a beautiful sunny day, you won't want to be in it. steering wheel than anyone else.
