Renault Wind - Road test
Just the spring knocking on the door would be worth buying for a roadster. Because the middle of the season is the perfect time to enjoy the wind in your hair: not too hot and not too cold, and feeling the warmth of the sun on your skin after the long months of winter is a fantastic feeling. However, we already know the objections that many fathers in such a period will put forward to their children, "sick" wind and engines: spiders cost (and consume) a lot, they have no room for luggage, the canvas top is beautiful, but fragile ... Following the requirements of the segment, Invented a few years ago by the Peugeot 206 CC, Renault is trying to use the Wind to get right into the hearts of young people without upsetting their parents. To achieve all this, one could only start with a solid and economical "base": the platform is borrowed from the Clio II, and the engines are from the Twingo range. Then, of course, a hardtop that can hide in the trunk in 12 seconds, with the original "swivel" mechanism. Thus, when closed, the Wind becomes a practical coupé.
Inside it's not surprising
So, let it be true Wind: first of all we find (in 12 seconds) a corner of the sky. The rays of the sun hitting the dash line underscore a certain desire by the stylists to diversify the Twingo interior design. The result will also not be very pleasant to the touch (hard plastic), but fortunately, in terms of a clean look, the thread will turn out to be brighter. Sure, a few teams are scattered here and there, and you can't help but notice the low windshield that bothers the taller ones, but overall it's hard to spot real styling failures. The quality leather seats deserve a special mention (€ 850).
Traditionalist heart
There are a few corners and there is a sense of the holy hand of the RS department that cares for all Renault sports cars: fast and precise inserts, facilitated by large tires and limited roll, keep the suspension department calibrated for fun for the smartest. Who would not hesitate to keep a 1.6 (recently Euro 5) at revs: naturally aspirated and with increasingly stringent pollution control regulations, in fact, this 4-cylinder engine has to run close to the red zone to perform at its best. The information that reaches your fingertips is rather filtered by the electric power amplifier, however, the steering is quite ready and precise: the gear ratio corresponds to that of the Clio RS. The stud, which comes close very quickly, recommends hitting the brake firmly: the wind slows down and the pedal is really aggressive and also well calibrated, as is the gearbox, short even if a little rebellious when engaging quickly. So far, the playful aspect. But everyday life also consists of traffic jams, cities, home trips, an aperitif in the center ... It is enough to meet a few pavé stripes to darken the face: understated tires (/ 40) and marble. suspensions turn every pronounced roughness into a slap on the vertebrae. The price to pay for biting around corners ... It's not the end: the rear window, located at a height of one meter, says a lot about the visibility in the parking lot. If you don't want to turn every reverse gear into a workshop drain, the sensors (€ 218,30) are indispensable. And also use soft bags when going on a long journey, because the luggage compartment capacity is good, but the shape is quite complex to make the most of it.
Record brakes
If comfort certainly can't be found in a sedan, this little Renault has a strong case when it comes to safety. Not so much in the equipment - where, for example, the driver's knee airbag is missing - but in the braking distance. You can tell your friends: Wind brakes (almost) like a Porsche. To prove it, it only takes 40 cm more to stop at 130 km/h compared to a 911. And sorry if that's not enough... One card is something you can play to convince mom and dad. Because the price, slightly better than some competitors (primarily the Peugeot 207 CC), remains important, especially during such "lean" periods. Fortunately, if you drive quietly, the consumption stabilizes at an acceptable level (about 11 km / l). Sufficient security, questionable value retention.
