Skip advert
Advertisement
Long term tests

Renaultsport Clio 200 Cup

A downchange mis-revved interface temporarily forced the Cup off the road. Thankfully it's back now, and better than ever

Renaultsport Clio 200 Cup

I love my Clio. It’s a blast on every type of journey, but shines brightest on my mostly rural commute into work each day. I can’t remember the last time I took the short, straight route in.

Or rather I couldn’t until I had to press my trusty Puma 1.7 back into service recently. The reason? While compiling the Clio v Ibiza twin test you can read elsewhere online, esteemed motoring ed John Barker broke the Cup. An uncharacteristic cocked-up downchange saw the gearbox forced from fourth to first, a knobbled clutch and various vital fluids leaking out underneath.

Advertisement - Article continues below

After spending a few weeks at Renault being mended, the Cup’s back and as good as ever, but I’ve sorely missed it. ‘If it’s any consolation I was busy setting a blinding lap,’ said John. Yep, JB, thanks a lot.

Running Costs

Date acquiredSeptember 2009
Total mileage5854
Costs this month£0
Mileage this month1594
MPG this month29.1
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Cupra Born arrives as a feistier Volkswagen ID.3, with bucket seats and up to 322bhp
2026 Cupra Born
News

New Cupra Born arrives as a feistier Volkswagen ID.3, with bucket seats and up to 322bhp

Cupra has given the ID.3-based Born a substantial refresh, comprising a new design, updated interior and physical steering wheel controls rather than …
5 Mar 2026
Alpine A390 v Hyundai Ioniq 5 N – are these EV crossovers fun as well as fast?
Alpine A390 and Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
Group tests

Alpine A390 v Hyundai Ioniq 5 N – are these EV crossovers fun as well as fast?

A world away from the A110, Alpine’s most ambitious gamble yet is a 464bhp electric ‘sport fastback’. Can it match Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 N when it comes t…
8 Mar 2026
My £2k Fiat Panda 100HP is huge fun to own, until you look underneath...
evo Fast Fleet Fiat Panda 100HP
Long term tests

My £2k Fiat Panda 100HP is huge fun to own, until you look underneath...

A trip to the garage unearths some nasty secrets in the Panda’s suspension
5 Mar 2026