The Renault Clio GT 120 EDC is a tricky little car. On the one hand, you have to give Renault some credit for giving the car top-quality aesthetics and an aura of sportiness. That's a pretty big deal, especially considering the market the car belongs to.

On the other hand, it's not really all that powerful; at least not as powerful relative to the competition. That's a pretty big deal, too.

So, when you're caught between a rock and a hard place, you have to evaluate your options and determine what's more important to you.

As far as our tastes go, we're always looking for a car that can back up its sporty looks with performance numbers that'll excite. The Clio->ke1021 GT 120 EDC doesn't tickle our fancy that way.

But make no mistake, there's still some admirable qualities about this car. It's just that if given a choice, you can opt for a higher trim from the Clio range and get all that you want.

Click past the jump to read more about the Renault->ke72 Clio GT 120 EDC

2013 Renault Clio GT 120 EDC

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2013 Renault Clio GT 120 EDC
  • Engine/Motor: four-cylinder
  • Horsepower: 120 @ 4900
  • Torque: 140 @ 2000
  • Transmission: Six-speed EDC transmission
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

As a sports hatch, you can't deny that the Renault Clio GT 120 EDC looks like it’s ready to beat up somebody in a dark alley. The sporty exterior is manifested by a front profile that we believe was designed to turn heads.

And turn heads it does.

The front bumper incorporates wide-set LED lights, adding some depth and functionality that's sure to bode well for owners of the sports hatch. Side protective moldings dressed in the same Matte Blue finish of the body with dark metal inserts is a plus for consistency, while the same can be said for the dark metal door mirror housings. And if you want some level of privacy, extra-tinted rear glass provides that. On the backside, you get the treat of having the same spoiler from the Clio R.S., as well as a specially designed rear bumper and twin exhaust tailpipes.

Rounding out the exterior features of the Clio GT 120 EDC are the 17-inch wheels and the prevalence of GT badging that you can find just beneath the Renault logo at the front and on the tailgate.

Interior

The interior of the Clio GT 120 EDC looks and feels empowering, doesn't it? While it doesn't have the power of the Clio R.S., the interior makes you feel like it does. The GT-branded head rests makes it known that this is no ordinary Clio. If luxury is your calling, you'd be delighted to see the speckled-grey finish with grey trim highlights on the upper part of the dashboard.

Finally, two fixed EDC gearshift paddles are mounted behind the leather-trimmed sports steering wheel.

Exterior/Interior Equipment

-17-inch GT alloy wheels

-Sport chassis

-R.S. Drive

-R-Link

-Steering wheel-mounted gearshift paddles

-Special GT upholstery

-Specific front and rear bumpers

-Twin exhaust tailpipes

-Spare wheel

Added Options (with price)

Rear parking sensors

€250

$334

Reversing camera

€450

$601

Metallic paint

€470

$620

Special metallic finish (Flamme Red, Malte Blue)

€570

$761

Leather upholstery and heated seats

€1,250

$1,670

Fixed glass sunroof

€400

$534

RS Monitor 2.0

€250

$334


Performance

The Renault Clio GT 120 EDC is powered by a 1.2-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 120 horsepower at 4,900 rpm and 140 pound-feet of torque at 2,000 rpm. Translated, these numbers allow the car to hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in 9.4 seconds with a top speed of 118 mph. Check out the full details of all the technical specs below:

Engine Specifications

eco2 label

Yes

Engine

TCe 120 EDC

Fuel

Unleaded petrol or E10

Type

H5Ft 403

French fiscal rating

6hp

Emissions legislation

Euro5

Cubic capacity

1,197 cc

Bore x stroke

72.2 mm x 73.1 mm

Number of cylinders/valves

4/16

Maximum power

120 horsepower at 4,900 rpm

Maximum torque

190Nm (140 pound-feet) at 2,000 rpm


Steering

Power steering

Variably-rate electric power steering

Turning circle between kerbs/walls

10.6 m / 11.0 m

Steering wheel turns from lock to lock (with standard wheels)

2.71 turns


Wheels and Tires

Standard wheels/tires

17 inches / 205/45R17 88V


Brakes

Type

X circuit

ABS

Standard

Brake Force Distribution

Standard

Emergency Brake Assist

Standard

Hill Start Assist

Standard

ESC

Standard

Diameter/thickness of vented brake discs

258 mm (10.15 inches) / 22 mm (0.87 inches)

Rear vented drum hub diameter

9 inches


Performance

Aerodynamics (CdA)

0.670

Top speed

199 km/h (124 mph)

0–100 km/h (62 mph)

9.4 seconds

400-meter standing start (1/4-mile)

16.9 seconds

1,000-meter standing start front (0.62 miles)

30.9 seconds

Mid-range acceleration: 80-120 km/h (50 – 75 mph)

8.1 seconds


Fuel Consumption and Emissions

Hatchback/Estate

CO2

120/124g/km

Urban cycle

6.6/6.9 liters/100km (43/41 mpg)

Extra-urban cycle

4.4/4.5 liters/100km (64/63 mpg)

Combined cycle

5.2/5.4 liters/100km (54/52 mpg)


Weights

Hatchback/Estate

Curb weight, without options

1,090kg / 1,124kg (2,403 lbs / 2,478 lbs)

Front curb weight

703kg / 708kg (1,550 lbs / 1,561 lbs)

Rear curb weight

387kg / 416kg (853 lbs / 917 lbs)

Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)

1,657kg / 1,705kg (3,653 lbs / 3,758 lbs)

Gross Train Weight (GTW)

2,557kg / 2,605kg (5,637 lbs / 5,743 lbs)

Payload

503kg / 513kg (1,108 lbs / 1,131 lbs)

Braked trailer weight (within GTW)

1,200kg (2,645 lbs)

Unbraked trailer weight

580kg / 595kg (1,279 lbs / 1,312 lbs)


Suspension

The Clio GT 120 EDC relies on an elaborate steering set-up, thanks to a MacPherson-type set-up with rectangular lower arm and an anti-roll bar on the front and a programed-deflection torsion beam and coil springs on the rear suspension.

Suspension

Front suspension

MacPherson-type arrangement with rectangular lower arm and anti-roll bar

Rear suspension

Programmed-deflection torsion beam and coil springs

Front/rear anti-roll bar diameter

Front: 22.5mm / rear: incorporated in torsion beam


Driving Impressions

For what the Clio GT 120 EDC is offering, you get a fun compact car that can definitely take you places. Power is a problem if you're a speed nut; you won't get a whole lot with this hatchback. But it's still a rev-happy little ball of surprise that has an engine that works remarkably well with the car's overall set-up. Give some props to Renault for building a car that can stretch its performance capabilities to above average levels.

Just like most vehicles in this segment, though, the Clio GT 120 EDC isn't immune to some shortcomings. Steering remains an issue, especially if you're trying to handle corners at higher-than-usual speeds. It also doesn't hug the road as well as we expected, which becomes trickier on an uneven road surfaces.

Pricing

Freshly arrived at dealerships, the Renault Clio GT 120 EDC has been priced at €20,990 ($28,034) and €21,590 ($28,835) for the Hatchback and Estate versions respectively.

Competition

The calling card of the Clio GT 120 EDC is that while it looks like a sports hatch, it doesn't carry the same performance credentials as the mighty Clio R.S. On that note, similarly packaged vehicles are out in the market, including the MINI Cooper and the Opel Adam->ke4340.

2013 Opel Adam

The Opel Adam is under no illusions to be more than what it is. It's not very powerful with an output of just 100 horsepower. But it does look like a chic city car that'll take people places and turn some heads too while they’re at it.

2013 Mini Cooper

The standard bearer among European hatchbacks is the Mini Cooper. And it has been for a while, although an increasingly competitive market has given way for cars like the Clio and the Adam to make a name for themselves. That being said, the Cooper is still the Cooper and while it's pointless to talk about its design (classic, as always), it’s worth noting that the Cooper and the Clio GT 120 EDC aren't too far off in performance numbers.

For the record, among the Cooper's engine options, include a 1.6-liter in-line four-cylinder engine that produces 121 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 114 pound-feet of torque at 4,250 rpm. Those numbers equate to a 0 to 60 mph time of 8.4 seconds with a top speed of 126 mph.

Conclusion

If you're into power and performance, the big hitch with the Clio GT 120 EDC is that it's not really that powerful. It looks the part, definitely, but doesn't have the performance credentials to back up its sporty looks. There are other options available in the Clio range wherein you can have the best of both worlds. It's going to cost more, but it should be more worth it than a model that appears to have its share of Jekyll and Hyde tendencies.