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

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
The Audi RS3 Competition is a £92k goodbye to Ingolstadt’s five-cylinder
Audi RS3 Competition
News

The Audi RS3 Competition is a £92k goodbye to Ingolstadt’s five-cylinder

Audi marks the end of the line for the RS3 and its five-cylinder engine with an ultra-limited special, and we don’t use that phrase lightly… 
10 Mar 2026
The new Jaguar GT is lovely to drive, but that’s not enough for people to buy it
Jaguar GT
Opinion

The new Jaguar GT is lovely to drive, but that’s not enough for people to buy it

The Jaguar GT has the hallmarks of a deeply impressive luxury saloon. Whether it can turn the tide on slow demand for premium EVs is another matter
11 Mar 2026