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March 6, 2015
RENAULT LUTECIA RENAULT SPORT | A Test Drive of the Renault Lutecia Renault Sport
RENAULT LUTECIA RENAULT SPORT｜
Renault Lutecia Renault Sport
A sporty compact hatch bearing the RS name
Journalist Fumio Ogawa test drives the Lutecia Renault Sport, a car with exhilarating handling and an attractive price tag under three million yen.
By Fumio OgawaPhotos by Hirotaka Shimizu
A sporty model based on the Lutecia
The Lutecia Renault Sport (hereafter Lutecia RS) is a sport-tuned model based on the compact, four-meter-long hatchback. It features a naturally aspirated 202ps engine paired with a 6-speed manual transmission. Combined with its accessible price of 2.99 million yen, it's a compelling option for anyone seeking a fun-to-drive car.
The Lutecia RS is a sports variant developed from the Lutecia, a hatchback designed for a broad audience. Enhancements have been made to the chassis, suspension, engine, and both the exterior and interior. Since its Japanese market launch in early summer 2010, it has been well-received by car enthusiasts.
Currently, Renault offers two sporty models: the Lutecia RS andMégane Renault Sport. The Mégane Renault Sport (3.85 million yen) is the more performance-oriented of the two. However, considering the 860,000 yen price difference, the Lutecia RS represents a highly satisfying purchase.
One of the Lutecia RS's distinctive features is its naturally aspirated engine. It delivers torque through smooth curves, with an additional surge of power above 5,000 rpm. With a high compression ratio of 11.5:1 and a redline at 7,100 rpm, it's incredibly enjoyable to rev. While it has ample torque, its power delivery is particularly appealing.
Another highlight is its handling. The front suspension employs a unique design based on MacPherson struts, known as a double wishbone axle. This aims for efficient torque transfer to the drive wheels while achieving straightforward and responsive steering characteristics. On winding roads, it offers remarkably enjoyable agility.
A manual transmission to savor the engine's character
It is exclusively offered with a 6-speed manual transmission. While rivals like theVolkswagen PoloandAlfa Romeo MiTofeature dual-clutch systems that can be operated like automatics, giving the Lutecia RS a slight disadvantage in the Japanese market. However, the manual transmission undeniably allows for a fuller appreciation of the engine's characterful performance. For driving enthusiasts, the MT is a superb combination with the Lutecia RS.
The suspension provides excellent road-holding and follows the surface closely on winding roads, offering a superb experience. Throughout corners, from turn-in to exit, the car maintains a consistent posture, making it particularly adept at navigating sequences of tight bends. While the MINI Cooper S, with its excellent engine and manual transmission, offers comparable appeal, the Lutecia RS feels more supple. However, at higher speeds, the rear can feel a bit bouncy when encountering bumps.
Given its sporty feel and body size, its direct rival is likely theVolkswagen Polo GTI(2.94 million yen). The Polo GTI measures 3,995mm in length, while the Lutecia RS is 4,020mm, making them nearly identical in size. The Polo GTI's 1.4-liter engine features a turbocharger, and with a turbo factor of 1.5, it's equivalent to a 2-liter engine, putting it on par with the Lutecia RS. The Lutecia RS boasts a maximum output of 202ps, compared to the Polo GTI's 179ps. While the Polo GTI is well-rounded, it likely surpasses the Lutecia RS in high-speed performance. Personally, I favor manual transmissions, making the Lutecia RS a hard choice to pass up.
Is the Mégane Renault Sport the true rival...?
The MINI Cooper S is also a formidable competitor, equipped with a 1.6-liter turbo engine producing 184ps. It offers a 6-speed manual model (3.03 million yen) and a 6-speed automatic version (3.30 million yen), giving it a market advantage. From a manual transmission perspective, the Alfa MiTo 1.4T Sport (2.85 million yen) is also a distinctive contender, prized for its enjoyable handling and rev-happy engine. Furthermore, the MiTo Competizione (2.95 million yen) offers sporty handling combined with a dual-clutch system.
Perhaps the most challenging rival might be theMégane Renault Sport. We recommend test driving both cars. While it belongs to a higher class and has a larger body size, it also offers a greater sense of specialness, being a size up. Driving these two cars highlights how much fun Renault builds into its vehicles. This is the strength of European engineering. While environmental concerns are important, focusing solely on tax incentives can mean missing out on the most crucial aspect of a car: enjoyment.
RENAULT LUTECIA RENAULT SPORT｜Renault Lutecia Renault Sport
Body｜4,020×1,770×1,485mm
Engine｜2.0-liter Inline 4-cylinder DOHC
Max Output｜148kW (202ps) / 7,100rpm
Max Torque｜215Nm / 5,400rpm
Drivetrain｜FWD
Transmission｜6-speed MT
Fuel Economy｜8.2ℓ/100km
CO2 Emissions｜190g/km
Price｜2.99 million yen
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0120-676-365