Stop and go

Renault claims the RS is capable of going from zero to 100km/h in 6.9 seconds, and although I was having too much fun to officially test that, I am very willing to believe the claim. In fact, I think it could even shave a few tenths of a second off that time with a little bit of coaxing.

A pleasantly surprising discovery about the RS was that you can comfortably seat five adults ? and the 215Nm of torque from the engine means that it keeps on performing as if there is only the driver in the car.

All this power would be useless without solid and reliable handling and a good set of brakes. What's the use of being able to sprint to 100km/h in around 7 seconds and then discovering you have all the stopping power of landslide?

Brilliant engineers

Once again, Renault's brilliant engineers have put a lot of thought into this. There's a set of four-pot Brembo calipers gripping large discs on the front wheels and two-pot calipers on the rear. With just one occupant or five, this car stops with a speed that is breathtaking. I have now scared a number of drivers who ? judging by the expressions of terror on their faces ? could not believe that it's possible to bring an RS to a complete halt at a controlled intersection despite appearing to be approaching like a medic on his way to an emergency.

And before you ask: No, I was not exceeding legal speeds. The acceleration in the RS is so brisk it just appears to be traveling at three times the posted limit. Honest.

Bonus

As for handling, body roll is imperceptible and the steering is light, responsive and extremely accurate. There's a tiny hint of understeer through tight corners at highway speeds, but it wasn't enough to shake my confidence in its ability to simply stay stuck on the tar.

The 215/45 R17 tyres and the vehicle's low, wide-set stance have a lot to do with this as well.

The bonus is that despite all this power, acceleration, handling and comfort, the RS seems to run on the whiff of petrol fumes. After a week of severe testing, extended highway trips and 'grocery runs', I had managed to use up just half the contents of the 55-litre tank.

Renault claims a combined fuel consumption of 8.2l/100km and says this can be pushed to about 6l/100km. This is easy to believe.

Well, what are you doing sitting there reading this story ? go out and drive a Clio RS now!

Prices