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Turbonutter

New Renault R250R vs Focus RS

Small clip previewing this Weds coming article


http://www.autocar.co.uk/VideosWa...rs/Videos.aspx?AR=244329&CT=V
simonp

Well as he tells us his opinion at the end I won't be buying the mag!

It's also a bit baffling how the Focus is kept up with all the way through the vid before scurrying off over the horizon in the last 30 seconds? There are strong (and un-denied) rumours on the Renaultsport forum that there will be another version of the Megane with 275bhp, so I'll wait and see how that one does I reckon. (it could be an estate btw!!)
Turbonutter

simonp wrote:
Well as he tells us his opinion at the end I won't be buying the mag!

It's also a bit baffling how the Focus is kept up with all the way through the vid before scurrying off over the horizon in the last 30 seconds? There are strong (and un-denied) rumours on the Renaultsport forum that there will be another version of the Megane with 275bhp, so I'll wait and see how that one does I reckon. (it could be an estate btw!!)


Yes, SS seemed to be indicating the Cup version of the 250 was faster than the R26R at the Ring
Turbonutter

Some lovely pics in the article in the mag by the way
Humphrey The Pug

What got on my tits regarding the 250 vs RS vid, Steve Sutcliffe clearly seems to prefer the Renault but can't quite bring himself to say so.

The Megane handles better but the Focus is quicker in a straight line, well going on past form the Megane should triumph.
Matt

Front Cover: "The Megane is just as fast"

Inside, left of page; Quote: "The Megane isn't quite as fast"

Inside, right of page; Caption: "The Megane is just as fast as the Focus".

Make yer feckin' mind up, guys.
simonp

Website is the same. Sutters says it's not as quick in the video, but in the gallery pic section it says it is.
Gurney

Would have to be the Reginald for me really grown on me.

Bit puzzled by the way the heater and stereo controls are integrated into the dashboard, looks almost kit carish and just odd. Also not a fan of those 19" alloys but all in all it seems very impressive.
Pkh72

I think this looks really nice in white with the Anthracite standard wheels rather than the optional ones in the test.
simonp

I hated the Megane when I first saw it, but since seeing it in a few more colours than the show yellow it's starting to grow on me a little. I'd definitely take it over the Focus if I only had the choice of the 2.

A chap at work has just bought a green RS. There are a lot of resentful people at work now because of this, not through jealousy, but through the fact that he has had 3 or 4 minor "accidents" at work (that no-one witnessed, of course) and has put in a compo claim after each one, thus enabling him to afford it!
Turbonutter

simonp wrote:
I hated the Megane when I first saw it, but since seeing it in a few more colours than the show yellow it's starting to grow on me a little. I'd definitely take it over the Focus if I only had the choice of the 2.

A chap at work has just bought a green RS. There are a lot of resentful people at work now because of this, not through jealousy, but through the fact that he has had 3 or 4 minor "accidents" at work (that no-one witnessed, of course) and has put in a compo claim after each one, thus enabling him to afford it!


I think the Cup version of this Megane should be a better seller for Renault than the old R26R. Does look quite nice in white... ( still reminds me of the new Scirocco round the rear three-quarter )
simonp

Nothing dodgy about this ad, is there?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/class...vert200944344709278&logcode=p
Dr. Hfuhruhurr

I'm intrigued by a "lady driven 6CD multi changer": is she on a treadmill, or has she got some other way of powering it?
Matt

A set of lightweight alloys would solve the issue with both Megane alloys looking pap.
simonp

At least you get a choice. Both performance Foci only have like 'em or lump 'em wheels!
"him"

simonp wrote:
At least you get a choice. Both performance Foci only have like 'em or lump 'em wheels!

Surely the wheels are one of the easiest items to change on any car?

Or do Ford invalidate the warranty if you do?  



Not that I am biased at all,    but surely if you fit good quality wheels, then there won't be an issue?
Apex clipper

Be it fast...be it slow.

How fvcking ugly is that Renault. The Ford isn't that far behind in the 'Smacked with the ugly stick'..
Blarno

I'm surprised you can't buy different wheels direct from Ford. If I were to buy an ST new, I'd be asking for some non-snowflakey 5 or 6 spokes. If they refused, I'd take my arse elsewhere.
"him"

Apex clipper wrote:
Be it fast...be it slow.

How fvcking ugly is that Renault. The Ford isn't that far behind in the 'Smacked with the ugly stick'..

That isn't to say the MK1 RS couldn't be improved with some 'decent' wheels mind...



Apex clipper

"him" wrote:
Apex clipper wrote:
Be it fast...be it slow.

How fvcking ugly is that Renault. The Ford isn't that far behind in the 'Smacked with the ugly stick'..

That isn't to say the MK1 RS couldn't be improved with some 'decent' wheels mind...





Always remember.

It ain't how big it is. It's how you use it.




Those super 'T's' upset the balance of the car if my internet browsing is to be believed.
Blarno

If it's on the internet, it must be true!



Superleggeras are awesome wheels. Nearly as cool as Speedline Comp 2s, but not quite...
simonp

I bbelieve they are Superleggeras anyhow. Minky moo!
Martin

simonp wrote:
I bbelieve they are Superleggeras anyhow. Minky moo!


Well that's what it says in big letters on the rim  
simonp

I couldn't read that on my mobile on the train, but now I can see the blarno beat me to it anyhow. The silver ST above has Super T's fitted by the looks of it.
Apex clipper

simonp wrote:
I couldn't read that on my mobile on the train, but now I can see the blarno beat me to it anyhow. The silver ST above has Super T's fitted by the looks of it.


Minky moo..blows a raspberry..in your general direction!

 
Turbonutter

In today's Autocar they've got a triple test of the Focus RS, 370Z and Scirocco Type R. Scirocco comes out tops as so composed over tricky roads.

Also first running report on the TT RS which Sutcliffe is liking much more than he thought he would.
Road test on a Subaru Legacy.
Final report on the Carrera 4s.
Buying 2nd hand TVR Griffiths.

Also First Drive of the HSV GTS which might come over here after the pre-facelift VXR8s have all gone.. Bit more power, 436bhp over 425bhp but a much better sounding noise from the re-tuned exhaust. Also bigger brakes (380mm 6-pots) and a wider front track to sharpen up the handling. Also gets a launch control system and switchable stability control.
Pkh72

Turbonutter wrote:
In today's Autocar they've got a triple test of the Focus RS, 370Z and Scirocco Type R. Scirocco comes out tops as so composed over tricky roads.

Also first running report on the TT RS which Sutcliffe is liking much more than he thought he would.
Road test on a Subaru Legacy.
Final report on the Carrera 4s.
Buying 2nd hand TVR Griffiths.

Also First Drive of the HSV GTS which might come over here after the pre-facelift VXR8s have all gone.. Bit more power, 436bhp over 425bhp but a much better sounding noise from the re-tuned exhaust. Also bigger brakes (380mm 6-pots) and a wider front track to sharpen up the handling. Also gets a launch control system and switchable stability control.


Well that stands to reason as it's the newest, and it seems that Autocars mantra is usually newest=best.
Turbonutter

Pkh72 wrote:


Well that stands to reason as it's the newest, and it seems that Autocars mantra is usually newest=best.


They also said the VW feels much better quality inside and that the 370Z just can't keep up with the fwd'ers over the Black Mountain roads, despite a similar power to weight ratio
TimR

Turbonutter wrote:
Pkh72 wrote:


Well that stands to reason as it's the newest, and it seems that Autocars mantra is usually newest=best.


They also said the VW feels much better quality inside and that the 370Z just can't keep up with the fwd'ers over the Black Mountain roads, despite a similar power to weight ratio


Fine but how relevent is that?

Surely the point of the 370Z (and 350Z before it) isn't outright pace but more enjoyment and a feeling of actually 'driving' the car?
If they want outright pace why not try a Megane R26RRRRRR on it's sticky trackday tyres?
Pkh72

If i was in the market for a coupe (370Z) i don't think i'd, personally, be looking at a hatchback as an alternative, so i'm not sure how relevant the comparison the mags done is.
Turbonutter

TimR wrote:
Turbonutter wrote:
Pkh72 wrote:


Well that stands to reason as it's the newest, and it seems that Autocars mantra is usually newest=best.


They also said the VW feels much better quality inside and that the 370Z just can't keep up with the fwd'ers over the Black Mountain roads, despite a similar power to weight ratio


Fine but how relevent is that?

Surely the point of the 370Z (and 350Z before it) isn't outright pace but more enjoyment and a feeling of actually 'driving' the car?
If they want outright pace why not try a Megane R26RRRRRR on it's sticky trackday tyres?


It was just an observation Tim - I wouldn't read too much into it. If you wanted the fastest car A-B you'd probably go for a new 911 Turbo or EVO of some descript
"him"

FWD FTW INNIT...  
Turbonutter

"him" wrote:
FWD FTW INNIT...


Yes, perhaps they were pointing up how capable the fwd'ers were at handling 250+ bhp without 4wd  
TimR

Turbonutter wrote:
TimR wrote:

Fine but how relevent is that?

Surely the point of the 370Z (and 350Z before it) isn't outright pace but more enjoyment and a feeling of actually 'driving' the car?
If they want outright pace why not try a Megane R26RRRRRR on it's sticky trackday tyres?


It was just an observation Tim - I wouldn't read too much into it. If you wanted the fastest car A-B you'd probably go for a new 911 Turbo or EVO of some descript


Sorry, wasn't having a go just realise more and more that magazine articles have extremely limited relevence to what I want out of a car.

My little Fiat puts 220BHP through the front wheels with little trouble - just the occasional bit of wheelspin in the wet in 1st.
Turbonutter

TimR wrote:

Sorry, wasn't having a go just realise more and more that magazine articles have extremely limited relevence to what I want out of a car.

My little Fiat puts 220BHP through the front wheels with little trouble - just the occasional bit of wheelspin in the wet in 1st.


Yes, maybe he'd put that in as some people don't seem to  understand that powerful fwd cars can make excellent progress and you don't have to treat the throttle like an on/off switch. I've not driven a Fiat Coupe 20v turbo but I had a lot of fun in a 220 Tomcat turbo. I had a drive in the new RS Focus and was pretty impressed. Not tried the R26R though or Scirocco
"him"

Turbonutter wrote:
Yes, maybe he'd put that in as some people don't seem to  understand that powerful fwd cars can make excellent progress and you don't have to treat the throttle like an on/off switch...

Exactly,   I think people tend to "overdrive" cars in slow corners, too much steering angle and throttle creating wheelspin.  I think it was 'Brundlefly' that said for a wheel to perform at its best it needs to be rotating at the same speed as the road beneath it.

The "antics" of Clarkson and all on Top Gear don't help either,  he is always "overdriving" cars to prove his own prejudices.
Turbonutter

"him" wrote:

The "antics" of Clarkson and all on Top Gear don't help either,  he is always "overdriving" cars to prove his own prejudices.


Are you thinking of the Vectra VXR?  
Pkh72

Turbonutter wrote:
"him" wrote:

The "antics" of Clarkson and all on Top Gear don't help either,  he is always "overdriving" cars to prove his own prejudices.


Are you thinking of the Vectra VXR?  


He acted the twat in an Astra VXR too didn't he?
"him"

He also did the same in an Alfa 147 GTA, though he said he liked that...
Dr. Hfuhruhurr

"him" wrote:
The "antics" of Clarkson and all on Top Gear don't help either,  he is always "overdriving" cars to prove his own prejudices.

And always accompanied by really crap rock music.
Turbonutter

Dr. Hfuhruhurr wrote:
"him" wrote:
The "antics" of Clarkson and all on Top Gear don't help either,  he is always "overdriving" cars to prove his own prejudices.

And always accompanied by really crap rock music.


"You're quite literally not wrong there mate.....Let's ROCK!...Not 'arf"
TimR

Turbonutter wrote:
Dr. Hfuhruhurr wrote:
"him" wrote:
The "antics" of Clarkson and all on Top Gear don't help either,  he is always "overdriving" cars to prove his own prejudices.

And always accompanied by really crap rock music.


"You're quite literally not wrong there mate.....Let's ROCK!...Not 'arf"


The crap rock music would be more bearable if they didn't choose a different track for each camera angle so in a 30 second feature you get 6 different tracks.
Just another frustration among many to be suffered watching TG.
Dr. Hfuhruhurr

I must admit that for me, Clarkson hooning around a track is up there with SIARPC in the "going to make a cup of tea" stakes. Occasionally - with the 997 Turbo, CLK Black Series and V12 Vantage - they do something different and breathtakingly brilliant, but we don't get enough of that.
Turbonutter

Dr. Hfuhruhurr wrote:
I must admit that for me, Clarkson hooning around a track is up there with SIARPC in the "going to make a cup of tea" stakes. Occasionally - with the 997 Turbo, CLK Black Series and V12 Vantage - they do something different and breathtakingly brilliant, but we don't get enough of that.


Do you mean the CLK Black on Black Mountain, V12 Vantage in Snowdonia with Eno music? Remind me again what they did with the 997 Turbo?
"him"

CLK Black  - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EIdAb16Pdg

997 Turbo - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsReObf-1EA

V12 Vantage - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJrQ72zogeE
Turbonutter

"him" wrote:
CLK Black  - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EIdAb16Pdg

997 Turbo - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsReObf-1EA

V12 Vantage - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJrQ72zogeE


Ah, I'd forgotten the 997 Turbo piece - remembered when he said about the 40-60 being 1 second though
simonp

I'd not seen the 911 bit before. Lovely colour.
Turbonutter

I liked the episode they did on the road from Davos as well with the Aston, Lambo and green GT3 RS

New series of Top Gear starting weekend after next.

The Transfagarasan road episode might be a good one

Pkh72

Wouldn't it be nice if the commute incorporated something like that, in summer time at least.
Gurney

Pkh72 wrote:
Wouldn't it be nice if the commute incorporated something like that, in summer time at least.


If only.
Turbonutter

Pkh72 wrote:
Wouldn't it be nice if the commute incorporated something like that, in summer time at least.


They're going to be going there with a DBS Volante, Ferrari California and a Lambo Gallardo Spyder so it could be a good episode. Clarkson reckons it's the best road he's ever driven......we'll see soon enough anyway
Apex clipper

Turbonutter wrote:


The Transfagarasan road episode might be a good one



'Gentleman'

"Start yer engines"..................  
simonp

That road, far from being enticing, actually looks a bit scary. There seems to be lots of places where rocks could roll down and wipe you out! I wonder if that happens very often?
Turbonutter

simonp wrote:
That road, far from being enticing, actually looks a bit scary. There seems to be lots of places where rocks could roll down and wipe you out! I wonder if that happens very often?


Don't ever go to the Alps Simon!  
Pkh72

Turbonutter wrote:
Pkh72 wrote:
Wouldn't it be nice if the commute incorporated something like that, in summer time at least.


They're going to be going there with a DBS Volante, Ferrari California and a Lambo Gallardo Spyder so it could be a good episode. Clarkson reckons it's the best road he's ever driven......we'll see soon enough anyway


The new series starts on the 15th doesn't it?
Turbonutter

Pkh72 wrote:
Turbonutter wrote:
Pkh72 wrote:
Wouldn't it be nice if the commute incorporated something like that, in summer time at least.


They're going to be going there with a DBS Volante, Ferrari California and a Lambo Gallardo Spyder so it could be a good episode. Clarkson reckons it's the best road he's ever driven......we'll see soon enough anyway


The new series starts on the 15th doesn't it?


Yes indeed, weekend after this one coming
Apex clipper

simonp wrote:
That road, far from being enticing, actually looks a bit scary. There seems to be lots of places where rocks could roll down and wipe you out! I wonder if that happens very often?


Bloody great wire mesh arrangements...stops rocks..their quite efficent these..foreign chaps.
simonp

I'll just go round, I think!
ALF

From the Evo write-up, I really like the sound of the Megane. It sounds like the suspension is great, it has a slippy diff as standard, and is useable for big miles, not just a nutjob car for the odd blat (in which case you'd want something a lot more special than a FWD hatch, which is my issue with mega hatches). It's a big shame for me that the two drawbacks - steering and engine - are biggies for me!
cbeaks1

[quote="Pkh72"]
Turbonutter wrote:
In today's Autocar they've got a triple test of the Focus RS, 370Z and Scirocco Type R. Scirocco comes out tops as so composed over tricky roads.


Well that stands to reason as it's the newest, and it seems that Autocars mantra is usually newest=best.


Frankel reviewed the Scirocco R in the Sunday Times yesterday and pretty much panned it. 3 stars and said its noisy, crude and the 197PS one is much better.
TimR

That doesn't sound like Frankel.

Had someone stuck an Alfa badge on the front of it?
Eff One

I walked past my first RS today and - not that I was hankering after one anyway - bloody hell it looks ridiculous. It was cat vomit green which didn't help, but it looked like it had been drawn by one of those caricature artists you see loitering around tourist traps.
simonp

Windy road episode is tonight. Famous person racing a pile o' shite is still a feature unfortunately.
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