Read loads of hype about this car over the previous few weeks, so I popped along to my local Renault Garage and took one out for a spin. It looks, well, good if you like the huge ass. The wheels look really nice, and the discs are drilled which adds to the whole effect. Overall though, the shape of the car and the way it sits doesn't have "sport" written all over it.
Before I went out in it I had a look inside. The dash is covered in cheap grey plastics, the steering wheel is one of the gayest I've seen in a while, and the seats while visually pleasant offer little support and I found the ones in my old EP3 a lot better. The driving position is really high, made me feel like I was driving a 4x4 after getting out of the low DC5. The seats can't be changed in height either, but you can adjust reach and rake on the steering column so fining a comfortable, if too high a driving position is relatively easy. I found the speed dials a bit too cramped with too many numbers on, but the rev counter is very clear. The rear space looked good as did the rear seats. Boot space doesn't impress though.
So next I slotted the card into the slot and hit the button to start the engine. It's quiet on tickover. So of the forecourt and onto the road I gave it 10 mins before booting it. The low speed ride is very good, I was expecting it to be harsh but not so. I'd possibly say it was more comfortable then the FN2. The steering is super light (I think mine in the teg is heavy atm, something might be up) and responsive and it behaved nicely. Went round a few bends to try and get the diff to play but it didn't made itself known, the DC5 one is a lot more brutal. Onto the straight through 2nd, 3rd, 4th and into 5th the car feels fast, but I don't like the power delivery. There's little turbo lag, but once it kicks in at about 2000 rpm, there's no character to the engine. It just pulls and pulls and pulls all the way to about 6000 rpm when it started to run out of steam. You don't get an induction or exhaust roar either, all that can bee heard is the shhhhhhh of the turbo spinning. Not much grin factor in a straight line then. I took it round some roads that I know well and I've got to say point to point the car is incredibly fast. It responds super well to inputs, the pedals are ideal for heel and toe, there's a massive amount of feel from the car and it's very much driver orientated. That said though, it lacks that little something. It doesn't really excite very much. Yes you cane it out of the corner full on the power, slung hard into the side of the seat letting the diff do it's work, then onto the straight working the box hard, fully confident that you know what the car is doing. But that's it, there's no buzz, no excitement, no life to it. It's a devastatingly quick car that has no character. If the engine was a little less bland, the diff a little harder or just something to say "wow" to then this car would be great. But it doesn't have it. But I must say, the brakes are bloody fantastic. Pure brutal stopping power, no fade, full of feel and very sharp.
If I was in the market for a new hot hatch and I had to choose between the FN2 and the R26, it would be the Honda every time. It looks better (including the rear end), the interior is much better, the seats better, more boot space (IMO, not sure if it's the case or not), the engine, overall feel and character of the car is better. Hands down though, the R26 would murder the FN2 point to point, but overall the Honda is a better drive and rewards more then what the Renault does.
Saying that, an Evo engine has way more soul and that's also a 4 pot turbo. Cheeky remap might sort it out I guess? But I had a similar feeling in the LCR, the fun is over way too quickly, power delivery feels like a derv.
