Performance Review: Renault Clio 2.0 16V 172 Cup - [2000]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Renault Clio Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Renault Clio 2.0 16V 172 Cup is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2000. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the and the 2000 Ultima GTR 720.This particular Renault Clio has a 1998cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Clio shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Clio's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1059 kgs (2334 lbs) this makes the Renault Clio 2.0 16V 172 Cup in the same weight category as the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Renault Clio shares the same bhp with the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp)

In terms of power the 1998cc 16V St4 engine produces 170 bhp (126 kW) @ 6250 rpm similar to the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 147 lb-ft (199.3 Nm) @ 5400 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (170 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Renault Clio you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1987 Ford Sierra RS 500 (185.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Renault Clio.

The Renault Clio has a Power to weight ratio of 160.5 bhp per ton and 138.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2000 Clio competing with the 1987 Ford Sierra RS 500 (185.5 bhp per ton) or the 1994 Mitsubishi 3000 GT VR-4 (185.5 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Renault Clio generating around 138.8 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2010 Citroen DS3 Racing 200 (163.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 1999 Nissan Silvia S15 Spec R (163.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.7 secs, this made the Renault Clio 2.0 16V 172 Cup as fast as the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2018 Abarth 595 Competizione 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the or the 2016 Subaru Legacy 3.6 R (6.50 secs). This Renault Clio 2.0 16V 172 Cup is also faster than the 2018 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport 5.7 V8 (6.60 secs) the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI S-tronic Quattro Sportback (6.60 secs) the 2014 Audi A1 1.8 TFSI S-TRONIC (6.60 secs) the and the 2013 Ford Fiesta ST 1.6 Turbo (6.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Clio and the 1982 Ferrari 308 GTB QV 3.0l V8

When talking about the performance of the Renault Clio on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.85 secs @ 92.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1982 Ferrari 308 GTB QV 3.0l V8 (14.78 secs), the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic (14.78 secs), and the 2001 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R EP2 - JDM (14.79 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2000 version of the Renault Clio 2.0 16V 172 Cup has a maximum speed of 138mph.

Top Speed of the 2000 Clio equals the 2022 Porsche 911 Dakar 3.0 Turbo 992 II (149 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2000 Renault Clio 2.0 16V 172 Cup then how about the 2022 Porsche 911 Dakar 3.0 Turbo 992 II (149 mph), the 2022 BMW i7 xDrive60 (149 mph), or the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo (149 mph).

Related Links:

2000 Clio Rivals List.

A Brief History of Renault

Car Comparison