Sparkling water. Ford Focus ST, Mini Cooper S, Opel Corsa OPC, Peugeot 207 RC and Renault Clio RS

Pavel KARIN | Photo by Stepan SHUMAKHER

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When Kirill Ladygin was preparing for the final run at the track in Myachkovo, it started drizzling again. Would he make it in time? After all, the famous racer still had to complete his laps in the last of our "hot" hatches — the charming Mini Cooper S.

Kirill made it before the bad weather. But getting out of the Mini, he said he would only give it second place. And in first place... Ladygin had a rich choice: Ford Fiesta ST, Opel Corsa OPC, Renault Clio RS. We gathered in one place almost all the "hot" B-class hatches sold in Russia! Only the Peugeot 207 RC was missing in Myachkovo. But the next day, for tests at the Dmitrov test site, we found the Peugeot too!

And despite the rain, we found out who was the fastest.

Rain is rain: nothing to be done. We can't cancel the performance measurements! Especially since all five cars are in the same conditions: all front-wheel drive, "free" differentials (none have locks) and fresh "original" tires. True, the Renault is the most powerful — 197 hp from two liters of naturally aspirated displacement. For comparison, the Fiesta ST also has a two-liter "atmospheric" engine, but it produces only 150 hp, like the regular "civilian" versions.

The Opel Corsa, refined by the OPC studio, is also not simple — 192 hp from a 1600-cc turbo engine. And the Mini Cooper S and Peugeot 207 RC make do with 175 turbo horses — they have the same 1.6 engines.

Moreover, in terms of power-to-weight ratio, that is, the ratio of power to mass, the order is the same — the Clio RS leads (197 hp divided by the curb weight we measured at 1286 kg gives 153.2 "specific" horsepower per ton). Almost close is the Corsa OPC (151.4), the Mini Cooper S lags slightly (143.0), the Peugeot 207 RC is heavier (135.9). And the Fiesta ST, although the lightest (1142 kg), closes the list with a result of 131.3 horsepower per ton.

Will this lineup be confirmed on the dynamometer road?

Renault Clio RS: sport here is in the details — steering wheel and pedals

Andrei Mokhov, together with Ivan Ivanovich Shadrichev (also known to everyone as Uncle Vanya), took the Peugeot 207 RC and went to the "dyno". And I, with expert Yaroslav Tsyplenkov, settled into the Opel: let's see what kind of beast it is.

In terms of the number of "racing" gadgets, the Corsa OPC is unrivaled. Gills in the bumpers, non-folding mirrors on legs. And at the back, both a diffuser and a spoiler, and tinted lights... Only a "street racing" sticker is missing.

Ford Fiesta ST	Mini Cooper S	Opel Corsa OPC
Peugeot 207 RC	Renault Clio RS	The most understandable instruments are in the Renault. The Peugeot dials are more richly styled, but their small "radial" numbers are harder to read. The Opel's instruments suffer from the same drawback, and the Ford also let down by its color scheme: white numbers get lost on a gray background. The Mini's speedometer is easier to spot from a neighboring car than from the driver's seat: here the pilot's main tool is the tachometer, which hangs on the steering column

Getting behind the wheel is hindered by the rigid side bolster of the leather Recaro seat. But here it's a pleasure: I'm puffing like a real racer! And the "zero" mark on the steering wheel looms right in front of my nose.

The engine rumbles bassily at idle. Let's go!

The rear seats of the Clio RS are quite suitable for three brave passengers with a strong vestibular system	The fabric Recaro "buckets" for 35 thousand rubles in the Clio RS are the best in the five, but the slightly less contoured standard seats are more practical

Getting moving is hindered by the "rubbery" gas pedal and thoughtless clutch. But the turbo engine is good — it pleasantly wakes up after 2000 rpm and... Hits the limiter already at 6500 rpm. First gear spun out instantly! Shifting to second — with a strong jerk. Powerful acceleration, but only up to 84 km/h: very "short" gears! Third — again a jerk. What's going on — the gas and clutch are so uninformative that smoothly shifting "up" is simply impossible!

Moreover, the Corsa's steering is too sharp: from lock to lock — less than two and a half turns. This could be pleasing if it weren't for that torque steering — parasitic steering under load, typical of powerful front-wheel-drive cars: on acceleration, the wheel constantly tears out of your hands! The brakes are also "angry" — the pedal is sensitive, and during hard braking, the "thoughtful" ABS allows long wheel locking.

The Clio Renault Sport stands out for its simple, understandable, but exciting handling: "aiming" before a tight turn at the Mayak kart track is a piece of cake

And the handling is ambiguous. On bumps, the Corsa OPC darts sideways, the steering wheel "empties" — and the worse the road, the stronger it is. The "Opel" turns with delays — first it rolls, then softly settles into the arc. At corner entry, the rear axle slides smoothly, at exit, under load — the front. But the stability system is on guard. Although a couple of times after active correction, the electronics "went crazy" and turned off, requiring a "restart".

And, of course, comfort is not about the Corsa OPC. The Corsa doesn't notice asphalt joints and cracks, but larger bumps respond with impacts and make the car sharply roll from side to side. Good that sound insulation is decent: the rumbling exhaust note, pleasant on acceleration, presses on the ears only at constant speed.

Even with the "automatic", the Mini Cooper S is the fastest car on the race track. But on bad roads it is too nervous and shaky

The Corsa tired me out. Take it to the "dyno" — let it put on its performances there! And we'll take the Peugeot 207 RC, which just returned from measurements.

The snow-white "lion cub" doesn't look angry at all externally — only the large wheels, "rear wing" and twin exhaust tips stand out. Getting behind the wheel is more comfortable than in the Corsa — the seat's side bolsters are set wider and easily yield under load. The mood is relaxed: chrome instrument rings, optional glass roof. You want to look not at the road, but at the sky.

Mini interior: great ergonomics — and a showcase of stylish accessories	The Mini has the lowest seating position, and the seat pleases even against the background of competitors' "buckets"
From the Mini's "automatic", you can shoot without taking your hands off the steering wheel	In the back of the Mini, two "mini-people" fit

Starting off and shifting gears here is noticeably easier than in the Opel — the only thing that slightly gets in the way is the long throws of the five-speed gearbox lever, although the gears themselves engage crisply. The turbo engine pulls smoothly and confidently across the entire range, only livening up slightly after three thousand rpm. The gears are long: second stretches all the way to 109 km/h. For everyday driving this is good, but it naturally affects acceleration dynamics.

Ford Fiesta ST	Mini Cooper S	Opel Corsa OPC
Peugeot 207 RC	Renault Clio RS	The Mini's "automatic" shifts quickly and transparently. But the best "manual" is in the Renault: here the gear ratios are well chosen, and the engagements are crisp. The Ford's gearbox is slightly inferior in both aspects. The Opel's gears disappoint with excessive "shortness," and the Peugeot's with long lever throws

On perfectly smooth asphalt, the Peugeot flies confidently, only slightly widening its dynamic corridor. But as soon as the road deteriorates, the "lion cub" loses its composure: like the Opel, it starts to wander off the trajectory and tug at the steering wheel. However, the driver here is less stressed: excellent self-centering action and low steering sensitivity come to the rescue.

In corners, the "Peugeot" holds up excellently: reactions are soft and unambiguous, with no deviations from the trajectory. On lift-off, there's a slight oversteer of the rear axle, which even a novice can manage. And in terms of ride smoothness, the Peugeot 207 RC surpasses the Corsa OPC: impacts from large bumps are felt just as strongly, but the "Frenchman" is far less tied to the road surface profile. It can't be called noisy, but it's not quiet either: tires hum, pebbles tap against the arches. However, the engine could sing louder — its contented purr is only heard under acceleration.

The Peugeot doesn't ignite! But the Mini Cooper S with the same 175-horsepower turbo engine is a completely different story!

Here you sit lower than in any of the other cars. Growling deeply, the turbo engine pulls confidently from the very bottom, and at 2500–3000 rpm there's a pleasant push in the back — the related Peugeot engine has a much smoother character. The "automatic" is just a song! Yes, yes, "our" Mini turned out to have an automatic gearbox. And we don't regret it one bit — shifts are fast, smooth, and predictable. Additionally, there's a Sport mode, manual mode, and paddle shifters.

On smooth asphalt, the Mini delivers a lot of pleasure: instant reactions, a steering wheel filled with effort, excellent brakes, and a death grip on the trajectory. But on broken roads, the Cooper S starts darting from side to side on potholes and ruts, "shuffling" on road waves. And ride smoothness... It simply doesn't exist! The "Mini" counts every seam and crack, falters before harsh bumps, and bucks unpleasantly on short waves. Surely part of the blame lies with the "run-flat" tires with stiff sidewalls that the Cooper S comes standard with. And they're also noisy.

In short, the Mini is good, but not for our roads.

And what about the Clio Renault Sport?

The steering wheel and gear lever knob scream the Corsa's uniqueness with extravagant shapes	Great seats are standard equipment: you'll only have to pay extra for leather upholstery (30 thousand rubles)
In the back, the Corsa OPC is slightly less spacious than the Clio RS

Remember its modest predecessor? There you couldn't find not just a flashy rear wing, but even an exhaust pipe! The new Clio RS has shed its mask: a wide mouth of the front air intake, flared fenders — and a dashing diffuser, as if from Formula cars.

The seating position in the optional Recaro "bucket" is higher than in the previous cars, but it's also tighter. The stiff clutch engages at the very end of the pedal travel, but that doesn't bother us. Acceleration is combative! From the bottom, the two-liter naturally aspirated engine revs reluctantly, but after 2000–2500 rpm it wakes up and, with a high "Formula" roar, delivers excellent thrust — all the way up to the limit of 7500 rpm. Gears engage crisply, brakes are class-leading, and the ABS and stability control work effectively and smoothly. At the same time, during acceleration and at high speed, the Clio RS doesn't dart in ruts or get knocked off course in corners. The Renault responds to steering inputs quickly, but not sharply like the Mini or Opel. And in corners on lift-off, the Clio RS breaks into oversteer without hesitation, allowing you to "set up" before sharp bends.

Ford Fiesta ST	Mini Cooper S	Opel Corsa OPC
Peugeot 207 RC	Renault Clio RS	Only the Peugeot 207 RC can boast dual-zone climate control. But controlling the microclimate in the Ford and Mini is more convenient: each airflow direction has its own button here — while in the other cars you need to repeatedly press the same button or, in the case of the Opel, rotate a non-latching knob

And comfort is top-notch! The Renault barely notices road "small stuff," transmits harsh bumps into the cabin in a rounded form, and follows waves actively but, unlike the Peugeot 207 RC, without "sighs" and lateral rocking. It's also quiet inside — the engine howls only at "cruising" speeds, since our Clio RS, brought into Russia a year ago as a showroom sample, has "short" top gears. On new cars, to reduce noise, fifth and sixth gears were made "longer."

On the race track, the Opel Corsa OPC pleases with its engine and handling, but its suspension is poorly suited for aggressive driving

Meanwhile, Uncle Vanya and Mokhov were "measuring" almost all the cars. Yaroslav and I gave them our beloved Clio, and we ourselves moved to the last of the five hatches — the Ford Fiesta ST.

There's too little sportiness... The seating position is as high as in the Clio RS, but the seats are soft. The little engine hums peacefully at idle and easily gets the Fiesta moving. The accelerator here is no less damped than in the Opel, and acceleration, though brisk, is even. Additionally, the short transverse throws of the gear lever and "mushy" gear engagements get in the way. The brake pedal is also a bit stiff.

At high speed, the Fiesta ST is as stable as the Clio RS — it flies straight, ignoring potholes and ruts. The steering wheel makes only 2.3 turns from lock to lock, but the Fiesta enters an arc softly. The little car holds the trajectory firmly even on broken roads, and in response to lift-off, it immediately, though not as actively as the Renault, starts sliding with the rear axle. Only the vibrations on the steering wheel caused by road irregularities disappoint. And also the fact that the effort on the Ford's "sharp" steering wheel "lags" behind the steering angle.

The smoothness with which this car moves is reminiscent of the "207": the Fiesta responds more actively to small joints, but handles serious bumps more confidently and "rocks" on road waves just the same. However, acoustic comfort lets it down: the engine runs too loudly, and stones hitting the underbody are clearly audible.

Peugeot interior: style — yes, sport — no	Peugeot's "buckets" are the most spacious and soft in their class
In the back, the Peugeot, like the Mini, is a two-seater, but there's noticeably more room here. Plus opening quarter windows	The glass roof is an option available only for the Peugeot (pictured) and the Mini. And for the Cooper, it's not just a window to the sky, but a sunroof

So what did the measurements show?

We look at the protocol printed out by Mokhov — and can't believe our eyes. The fastest to 100 km/h was the Mini Cooper S with the "automatic" — 7.4 seconds! That's three-tenths faster than last year's result of the Mini with the "manual" (see AR No. 12, 2007). The reason is likely the engine's weather dependence: it likes cold (and therefore denser) air more than hot — last time it was 34-degree heat, and now it's only plus seven. Second place in the sprint was shared by Opel and Renault: 7.8 seconds. Moreover, on the Clio RS the best result was achieved with the stability control system off, and on the Corsa OPC — with it on.

Interestingly, the Peugeot 207 RC with the "manual" is noticeably slower than the Cooper S with the same turbo engine and "automatic" — 8.2 seconds. After all, the Peugeot is not only heavier than the Mini, but also suffers from "long" gear ratios. And in last place is the Ford Fiesta ST with a result of 9.2 seconds.

Peugeot 207 RC is fast and understandable, but not "hot"

By the way, note that we made all measurements on wet asphalt — and yet the cars showed very good results!

And in Myachkovo we raced on dry pavement. But the layout is still similar. The fastest on the track is the Mini Cooper S, even though it has an "automatic". Maximum lateral G-forces — 1.25 g, braking deceleration — up to 1.3 g! A real fighter.

Next comes the Clio RS, which Kirill Ladygin rated even higher than the Mini in terms of handling. And the Corsa OPC and especially the Fiesta ST lag behind on the race track.

So, is the best hot hatch the Mini Cooper S?

Yes, it's the fastest. And the most stylish. But it's also the most cramped, bumpy, and jerky on our roads. That's why the Cooper S scored the fewest expert points in the final table. So the Mini is for those who don't think about comfort at all and are ready to constantly "tame the shrew".

Inside, the Fiesta ST is just a Fiesta	In terms of comfort, the Fiesta's rear seat is on par with the Opel's	Soft seats — with a hint of sportiness

Ford Fiesta ST is a "warmed-up" hatchback. For beginner pilots. Never mind that it has the most modest engine — refine your racing line! The handling allows it. In addition, the Fiesta ST leads in the "price-to-power" criterion — 3,600 rubles per horsepower! For comparison: for the Renault Clio RS and Corsa OPC, this figure reaches 4,000 rubles/hp.

That's why Fiestas are often bought for conversion into a real race car: look at how many "STs" are racing in Russian rally. But if you're thinking of buying, hurry: a new Fiesta is coming soon, which will be larger, heavier, more expensive — and you'll have to wait at least a year for the next ST version.

Opel Corsa OPC is the choice for lovers of external attributes. It's a fast and flashy machine, but with the nervous handling typical of all "hot" Opels and mediocre ride smoothness.

Ford Fiesta ST — the best choice for your first track day ever

The Peugeot 207 RC is no "hotter" than the Fiesta. But it's beautiful, fast, handles well, comfortable, and well-equipped... A well-deserved second place overall.

And in first place...

Ford Fiesta ST	Mini Cooper S	Opel Corsa OPC
Peugeot 207 RC	Renault Clio RS	All trunks cope with their main purpose — accommodating a helmet and other racing gear. And in everyday use, the Opel, Peugeot, and Renault compartments are more convenient — as the most spacious and transformable. Alas, none of the hatches has a full-size spare: the Ford and Peugeot have space-saver spares, while the others have only repair kits with sealant

 

I confess: I love the Renault Clio Sport. For about a year I had my own Clio RS of the second, previous generation — I sold it only because the "little beast" had no place in Moscow traffic jams. During this test, I held on as best I could, trying not to give free rein to "subjectivism" — but when both Ladygin and Uncle Vanya with Yaroslav unanimously put the Renault in first place in their reports... Long live the Clio, the muse of speed!

So now, when race tracks are being built near Smolensk and in Kazan, when more than a hundred participants gather at track days in Myachkovo, I again dream of the Renault Clio RS. After all, it's on this car that you can quite comfortably drive around on your daily business, and on the weekend come to the race track, line up at the start alongside powerful and expensive BMWs, Mitsubishis, Subarus, Hondas... And almost not yield to them in lap time. And even surpass some.

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Alexey, entrepreneur

Drives a Renault Clio RS

I got "hooked" on Renault Sport division cars after reading rave reviews in the British press — the English know their stuff when it comes to "pocket rockets". Now I have my second Clio Sport of the second generation, and I've ordered a new "RS" and am waiting for it in July.

A short drive in the "third" Clio RS was enough for me not to consider alternative options. As before, the car "sticks" to the road even on uneven surfaces. Compared to the previous model, the quality of materials and assembly has clearly improved, sound insulation has improved, and useful options like the key card and cornering lights have appeared. I also like the rich, noble sound of the exhaust, but I feel I'll have to get used to the six-speed gearbox. The only thing I regret is the lack of a spare tire. I'm also concerned about service: ordered parts sometimes have to be waited for more than a month, and sometimes I have to tighten the nuts myself.

On the new Clio RS, as now, I'll drive daily — without any modifications. And for experiments, I have a 220-horsepower Renault 19 with a turbo engine in reserve.

Expert ratings from Autoreview
Parameters assessed	Max. score	Cars					Why?
		Ford Fiesta ST	Mini Cooper S	Opel Corsa OPC	Peugeot 207 RC	Renault Clio RS
Ergonomics	220	185	185	185	190	200	All cars have decent seating geometry. However, the Fiesta's is the most "civilian," while the Clio RS's is the most sporty: the snug "bucket" seat with grippy upholstery helps.
Driver's workplace	110	90	95	100	100	105
Visibility	110	95	90	85	90	95
Dynamics	360	290	310	290	305	325	The Clio RS accelerates slower and is slightly less emotional than the Cooper S, but it holds the road confidently on any surface and brakes excellently. The Mini, like the Opel, gets on the driver's nerves on bad roads. The Fiesta handles well, though it lags behind rivals in terms of engine. The Peugeot is consistently good but lacks vivid emotions.
Acceleration dynamics	120	95	110	100	100	105
Braking dynamics	120	100	105	100	105	110
Handling	120	95	95	90	100	110
Ride comfort	240	175	170	170	185	185	In terms of suspension, the Clio RS is unrivaled. The Ford is the noisiest. And the most "advanced" climate control is in the Peugeot.
Ride smoothness, vibration protection	90	70	60	60	70	75
Acoustic comfort	80	50	55	60	55	60
Climate control	70	55	55	50	60	50
Interior comfort	180	140	113	155	163	160	The Mini is cramped — even the Fiesta is more spacious! And among the other three cars, it's a tie.
Passenger seats	70	57	41	61	63	62
Trunk	60	44	40	53	55	53
Interior transformation	50	39	32	41	45	45
Total score	1000	790	778	800	843	870

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Moose in the rain

A light rain didn't prevent our traditional "moose test" — an exercise that simulates a sharp swerve around an unexpected obstacle. First, five drivers, already familiar with the cars in normal mode, attempted to dodge the imaginary moose in a single run at 65 km/h. Then an expert, through a series of runs, determined the maximum speed at which this maneuver was still possible. As always, the test was conducted with stability control systems activated.

Behind the wheel of the Ford Fiesta ST, the tester dodged the "moose" at a speed that many cars wouldn't even dream of on dry asphalt — 80.5 km/h! The striped hatchback went into a slide early, but the stability control yanked it back onto the correct trajectory as if by the scruff of the neck. And if the Fiesta did end up sideways, its modest dimensions saved it from the cones. Among the "one-time" drivers, only one missed, complaining about weak steering feedback.

The second result was achieved by the Opel Corsa OPC — 79.0 km/h. The picture was the same as with the Fiesta, but the electronics intervened even more harshly. Steering wheel effort jerks, which the Ford didn't have, didn't affect the outcome. Among the "random" drivers, one was "hit" by the moose: he attributed it to sudden oversteer and overly active electronic assistance.

In the Renault Clio RS, the expert almost repeated the Opel's result — 78.9 km/h. Achieving more was hindered by the "spirited" stability control tuning: it allowed slides to develop and only then began to suppress them. However, the system worked so softly and smoothly that the driver felt as if he himself was sensing and catching the car. Only one of the five volunteers failed with the Clio.

To dodge the "moose" at 78.4 km/h in the Peugeot 207 RC, the tester had to work hard. The stability control activated late and inaccurately, so the low-sensitivity steering wheel had to be turned at excessively large angles, and ultimately it was oversteer that limited the speed. Three unsuccessful drivers cited a lack of steering sensitivity.

The Mini's modest result (76.9 km/h) was largely due to a stability control failure: after driving through another puddle, all the "brake" warning lights came on the dashboard, and electronic support disappeared. But even without it, the Cooper S pleased with excellent directional stability and lively responses — the expert almost always had time to correct a mistake. However, "at the limit," it too couldn't handle sharp slides. And among the volunteers, one made a mistake by underestimating the sharpness of the responses.

Maximum speed in the "moose test," km/h
Car	Speed
Ford Fiesta ST	80.5
Mini Cooper S	76.9
Opel Corsa OPC	79.0
Peugeot 207 RC	78.4
Renault Clio RS	78.9

"Moose test" on the first attempt at 65 km/h
Car	Maneuver completed by
Ford Fiesta ST	4 out of 5 drivers
Mini Cooper S	4 out of 5 drivers
Opel Corsa OPC	4 out of 5 drivers
Peugeot 207 RC	2 out of 5 drivers
Renault Clio RS	4 out of 5 drivers

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A racer's word

Kirill Ladygin

Lada Sport team driver, 11-time Russian karting champion, two-time Russian champion in the Lada Revolution class

I would choose the Clio Renault Sport. This car won me over with its handling: in a corner, I can do whatever I want with it! The Renault follows the steering wheel more precisely than the others and responds better to throttle. Pilot errors are easy to correct — usually just turning the wheel a bit more is enough. The engine's character is like a formula car's: all the torque is "up top." But the gears are well chosen, and the synchronizers allow for race-fast shifts. Plus, it has the best brakes and an excellent suspension: you can bounce over the curbs at the Myachkovo track without worry.

Mini Cooper S is an overly nervous car. At times it's even fun: you sharply turn the steering wheel — and the rear end starts sliding before a corner. But the slightest mistake — and the car begins to oversteer. For fast laps, you want more precise settings, like in the Renault: on slow corners, the Mini confidently outpaces the Clio RS, but on high-speed arcs, everything changes exactly the opposite. The robot gearbox in the Mini works well, but on corner exits I had to be careful with the accelerator so the gearbox wouldn't click through extra gears, and the paddle shifters are poorly placed — in a corner, you simply can't reach them.

The Opel Corsa OPC's main trump card is the engine, which pulls from low revs and allows for brisk acceleration after a corner. True, the gearbox ratios are too short. And heel-and-toe downshifting is hindered by slippery pedals — your foot keeps slipping off the brake. The throttle response delays are also annoying: you release the gas — revs hang, you press — they don't rise. But the brakes are excellent, and the handling pleased: just lift off the gas — and the Corsa willingly tucks into the corner, precisely following the line. However, the suspension isn't designed for extreme driving: once it takes a set, the car starts to bounce.

Ladigin noted two main advantages of the Clio RS — handling and brakes

But the Ford Fiesta ST shines where chassis matters more than power. The stiff suspension allows you to attack curbs boldly, and under braking, the car is planted. An excellent option for the money.

Kirill Ladigin's "Telemetry"
Parameters	Cars
	Ford Fiesta ST	Mini Cooper S	Opel Corsa OPC	Renault Clio RS
Best lap time	2:06.30	2:02.70	2:05.47	2:03.60
Maximum speed on lap, km/h	146.9	156.7	153.3	153.0
Minimum speed on lap, km/h	40.8	41.5	38.5	40.1
Maximum lateral acceleration, g	1.22	1.25	1.14	1.2
Maximum deceleration, g	1.01	1.30	1.06	1.04

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Crash tests

Among the five "hot" hatches, the Ford Fiesta ST has the most modest set of active and passive safety systems: front and side airbags, pretensioners and load limiters, ABS and electronic brake-force distribution EBD. There are no curtain airbags, although the other four cars have them as standard, and the Renault Clio RS additionally features "knee" airbags for front passengers.

All five cars underwent EuroNCAP crash tests — of course, in their base "civilian" versions. Four hatches received the maximum five stars, and only the aging Fiesta had to settle for four. The Fiesta was tested with two airbags: in both frontal and side impacts, the front occupants' chests experienced high loads. Additionally, the ignition lock and steering column adjustment lever could injure the driver's knees.

The Mini Cooper, Opel Corsa, Peugeot 207, and Renault Clio were tested with six airbags and showed a high level of protection, but of these four, only the Corsa can boast a fully injury-safe dashboard. True, in the frontal impact, the "driver's" head of the Corsa touched the steering wheel hub through the airbag, but this did not affect the loads.

The Ford Fiesta was crashed back in 2002, when child passenger safety ratings were not yet given, but even then EuroNCAP experts noted weak protection in frontal impacts — increased loads on the chest and neck vertebrae of "children" in Britax Romer Baby Safe and Britax Renaissance seats. Moreover, in Russia, Isofix mounts cannot be ordered for the Fiesta. The Mini Cooper protects children with a "three" — in the side crash test, the Fair BimboFix Type II seats rotated toward the impact, causing the 1.5-year-old "child" to hit their head on the interior trim panel. The Opel Corsa with Britax Romer Duo Plus seats also earned three stars, while the Peugeot 207 and Renault Clio protect young passengers in Britax Romer Baby Safe and Duo Plus seats best of all — four out of five stars.

Finally, the lowest "pedestrian" rating was earned by the Renault Clio — one star out of four. The Ford Fiesta and Mini Cooper are "twos," while the Opel Corsa and Peugeot 207 protect pedestrians with a "three."

Ford Fiesta*	?????
Overall rating	25 points
Frontal crash test	11 points (69%)
Side crash test	14 points (78%)
SBR**	0 points
Child passenger protection	—
Pedestrian protection	14 points (39%)
Curb weight	1165 kg
* Tests conducted according to EuroNCAP methodology
** Seat belt reminder availability

Mini Cooper*	?????
Overall rating	33 points
Frontal crash test	13 points (81%)
Side crash tests	16 points (89%)
SBR**	3 points
Child passenger protection	29 points (59%)
Pedestrian protection	14 points (39%)
Curb weight	1140 kg
* Tests conducted according to EuroNCAP methodology
** Seat belt reminder availability

Opel Corsa*	?????
Overall rating	34 points
Frontal crash test	15 points (94%)
Side crash tests	18 points (100%)
SBR**	1 point
Child passenger protection	32 points (65%)
Pedestrian protection	19 points (53%)
Curb weight	1075 kg
* Tests conducted according to EuroNCAP methodology
** Seat belt reminder availability

Peugeot 207*	?????
Overall rating	35 points
Frontal crash test	15 points (94%)
Side crash tests	17 points (94%)
SBR**	3 points
Child passenger protection	37 points (76%)
Pedestrian protection	19 points (53%)
Curb weight	1163 kg
* Tests conducted according to EuroNCAP methodology
** Seat belt reminder availability

Renault Clio*
Overall rating	33 points
Frontal crash test	14 points (88%)
Side crash tests	18 points (100%)
SBR**	1 point
Child passenger protection	39 points (80%)
Pedestrian protection	9 points (25%)
Curb weight	1165 kg
* Tests conducted according to EuroNCAP methodology
** Presence of seatbelt reminder

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Specifications
Parameters	Vehicles
	Ford Fiesta ST	Mini Cooper S	Opel Corsa OPC	Peugeot 207 RC	Renault Clio RS
Body type	3-door hatchback	3-door hatchback	3-door hatchback	3-door hatchback	3-door hatchback
Number of seats	5	4	5	4	5
Trunk volume, l	268—945*	160—680*	285—1050*	270—1195*	288—1038*
Curb weight, kg	1137	1155	1203	1250	1240
Gross weight, kg	1590	1605	1715	1600	1690
Engine	petrol, with port injection	petrol, with direct injection and turbocharging	petrol, with port injection and turbocharging	petrol, with direct injection and turbocharging	petrol, with port injection
Location	front, transverse	front, transverse	front, transverse	front, transverse	front, transverse
Number and arrangement of cylinders	4, in-line	4, in-line	4, in-line	4, in-line	4, in-line
Displacement, cm³	1999	1598	1598	1598	1998
Cylinder bore/piston stroke, mm	87.5/83.1	77.0/85.8	79.0/81.5	77.0/85.8	82.7/93.0
Compression ratio	10.8:1	10.5:1	8.8:1	10.5:1	11.5:1
Number of valves	16	16	16	16	16
Max. power, hp/kW/rpm	150/110/6000	175/128/5500	192/141/5850	175/128/6000	197/145/7250
Max. torque, Nm/rpm	190/4500	240 (260)**/1600—5000	230 (266)**/1980—5850	240 (260)**/1600—3500	215/5550
Gearbox	manual, 5-speed	automatic, 6-speed	manual, 6-speed	manual, 5-speed	manual, 6-speed
Gear ratios
I	3.58	4.04	3.82	2.92	3.18
II	2.04	2.37	2.16	1.87	1.95
III	1.41	1.56	1.48	1.37	1.48
IV	1.11	1.16	1.07	1.05	1.21
V	0.88	0.85	0.88	0.86	1.03/0.97 ***
VI	—	0.67	0.74	—	0.87/0.81 ***
Reverse	3.62	3.19	3.65	3.33	2.55
Final drive	3.82	3.68	4.18	3.95	4.31
Drive	front	front	front	front	front
Front suspension	independent, coil spring, McPherson	independent, coil spring, McPherson	independent, coil spring, McPherson	independent, coil spring, McPherson	independent, coil spring, McPherson
Rear suspension	semi-independent, coil spring	independent, coil spring, multi-link	semi-independent, coil spring	semi-independent, coil spring	semi-independent, coil spring
Front brakes	disc, ventilated	disc, ventilated	disc, ventilated	disc, ventilated	disc, ventilated
Rear brakes	disc	disc	disc	disc	disc
Tires	195/45 R16	195/55 R16	215/45 R17	205/45 R17	215/45 R17
Maximum speed, km/h	208	220	225	220	215/223 ***
Acceleration time 0—100 km/h, s	8.4	7.3	7.2	7.1	6.9
Fuel consumption, l/100 km
Urban cycle	10.4	9.7	10.5	9.9	12.2
Extra-urban cycle	5.7	5.3	6.4	5.7	7.1
Combined cycle	7.4	6.9	7.9	7.2	8.9
CO? emissions, g/km, combined cycle	179	165	190	171	209
Fuel tank capacity, l	40	50	45	50	55
Fuel	petrol AI-95	petrol AI-91—95	petrol AI-95—98	petrol AI-95—98	petrol AI-95
* With rear seats folded
** In Overboost mode
*** On the car tested/on models produced after October 2007

Equipment of cars participating in the comparative test
Options	Models
	Ford Fiesta ST	Mini Cooper S	Opel Corsa OPC	Peugeot 207 RC	Renault Clio RS
Price of standard version, RUB	548000	925200	766500	724000	799000
Front airbags	+	+	+	+	+
Side airbags	+	+	+	+	+
Curtain airbags	–	+	+	+	+
ABS	+	+	+	+	+
Stability control	O	+	+	+	+
Power steering	+	+	+	+	+
Automatic transmission	–	O	–	–	–
Paddle shifters on steering wheel	–	O	–	–	–
Audio controls on steering wheel	–	O	+	–	+
Tilt steering wheel adjustment	+	+	+	+	+
Telescopic steering wheel adjustment	–	+	+	+	+
Leather steering wheel	+	+	+	+	+
Heated windshield	–	P	–	–	–
Heated front seats	–	P	+	+	–
Auto-dimming rearview mirror	–	P	+	+	–
Central locking with remote	+	+	+	+	+
Keyless entry	–	–	–	–	P
Alarm	–	P	–	–	–
Air conditioning	+	P	+	–	–
Climate control	O	P	O	–	+
Dual-zone climate	–	–	–	+	–
Power mirrors with heating	+	+	+	+	+
Folding mirrors	–	–	–	+	P
Power windows	+	+	+	+	+
Sport front seats	+	+	+	+	O
Driver seat height adjustment	+	+	+	+	+
Folding rear seat	+	+	+	+	+
Rear seat backrest angle adjustment	–	+	+	–	–
CD player	+	+	+	+	+
CD changer	–	–	O	–	–
Engine start button	–	+	–	–	+
Light sensor	–	+	+	+	–
Rain sensor	–	P	O	+	+
Tire pressure monitoring	–	+	+	+	–
On-board computer	+	P	P	+	+
Navigation system	–	–	O	–	–
Cruise control	–	O	P	+	+
Panoramic roof	–	–	–	O	–
Rear parking sensors	–	O	O	+	–
Leather interior	+*	+*	O	+**	–
Remote trunk release	+	–	–	–	–
Xenon low beam	–	P	–	–	+
Bi-xenon	–	P	–	–	–
Adaptive low beam	–	–	O	+	+
Fog lights	+	P	+	+	+
Headlight washers	–	+	–	+	+
Alloy wheels	+	P	+	+	+
Full-size spare tire	–	–***	–***	–	–***
Metallic paint	O	–	O	–	O
Tires	Pirelli Pzero Nero 195/45 ZR 16	Dunlop SP sport 01205/45 R 17	Continental Contisport contact 3 215/45 R 17	Bridgestone Potenza RE 050 A 205/45 R 17	Continental Contisport contact 3 215/45 R 17
Price of test car, RUB	578100	1123000	941800	743000	880000
* Leather with fabric
** Suede with fabric
*** Tire repair kit
(+) Included in base version
(–) Not available in base
(O) Installed as an option on test cars
(P) Included in package options of tested cars

Some measurement results from Autoreview
Parameters		Cars
		Ford Fiesta ST	Mini Cooper S	Opel Corsa OPC	Peugeot 207 RC	Renault Clio RS
Max speed, km/h		196.5	217.1	215.5	207.5	211.6
Acceleration time, s*	0-50 km/h	3.1/3.4	3.0/3.0	3.4/2.9	3.1/3.0	2.9/3.2
	0-100 km/h	9.2/9.3	7.4/7.4	8.0/7.8	8.2/8.3	7.8/8.1
	0-150 km/h	20.7/21.0	15.5/15.6	16.3/16.3	19.3/20.5	17.1/17.4
	0-200 km/h	—/—	37.9/37.9	38.6/38.8	48.7/49.7	45.0/44.7
	over 400 m	16.6/16.8	15.4/15.5	15.9/15.7	16.1/16.1	15.8/16.1
	over 1000 m	30.4/30.6	28.0/28.1	28.6/28.4	29.5/29.7	28.9/29.1
	60-100 km/h (III)	5.7	—	4.2	4.9	5.1
	60-100 km/h (IV)	8.6	—	5.6	6.7	6.5
	80-120 km/h (V)	12.8	—	7.7	8.5	8.7
	80-120 km/h (VI)	—	—	9.5	—	11.4
	60-100 km/h (D)	—	3.9	—	—	—
	80-120 km/h (D)	—	4.9	—	—	—
Coast-down, m	from 50 km/h	555	516	538	491	560
	130-80 km/h	840	858	798	831	837
	160-80 km/h	1224	1287	1186	1214	1245
Braking from 100 km/h	distance, m	43.2	43.6	42.3	42.3	41.6
	deceleration, m/s²	8.9	8.9	9.1	9.1	9.3
* With stability control off/on

Speedometer accuracy
Cars	Speedometer reading, km/h
	40	60	80	100	120	140	160	180	200
	True speed, km/h
Ford Fiesta ST	38	57	75	95	115	135	155	174	194
Mini Cooper S	37	57	76	96	116	136	155	175	194
Opel Corsa OPC	39	57	77	96	116	135	155	174	194
Peugeot 207 RC	38	57	77	97	116	136	155	175	195
Renault Clio RS	39	59	77	97	117	136	154	174	193

Turning circle of cars
Car	By track of outer front wheel, m	By outer front overhang, m	Number of steering wheel turns from lock to lock
Ford Fiesta ST	11.50	12.00	2.3
Mini Cooper S	10.61	11.08	2.4
Opel Corsa OPC	10.78	11.28	2.4
Peugeot 207 RC	10.59	11.19	3.0
Renault Clio RS	11.06	11.58	2.8

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Visibility

The best visibility is in the Fiesta: the hood is perfectly visible, the front pillars hardly obstruct, and the mirrors give a full picture of what's behind and to the sides. The Renault is slightly worse - you don't feel the front overhang. The Mini loses points due to the low windshield opening and the mirror that constantly hangs in front of your eyes. The Peugeot is spoiled by the triangular windows in the doors and the mirrors: they are narrow but tall, and also shifted back - you have to turn your head. And in the Opel, visibility is frankly disappointing: thick pillars, a huge dashboard, and small side mirrors that are located too far back.

Ford Fiesta ST	Opel Corsa OPC	Renault Clio RS
Mini Cooper S	Peugeot 207 RC

Car	Total viewing angle, deg.	Total blind spot angle, deg.
Ford Fiesta ST	283.0	77.0
Mini Cooper S	281.5	78.5
Opel Corsa OPC	272.5	87.5
Peugeot 207 RC	281.5	78.5
Renault Clio RS	282.0	78.0

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What's the price?

Ford Fiesta ST (2.0 L, 150 hp) is the cheapest in this group: the starting price is 548 thousand rubles. Even the base version includes four airbags, ABS, air conditioning, and a CD player. For an extra charge, you can get climate control, stability control, and decorative stripes on the body - like on our test car. The hot hatch from Ford can be found at dealers in stock, but if you order individually, you'll have to wait four to five months.

Warranty - two years or 100,000 km. Ford's network in Russia has 143 dealers in 90 cities.

Peugeot 207 RC (1.6 L, 175 hp) will cost at least 724 thousand rubles. The equipment is generous: six airbags, stability control, dual-zone climate control, light and rain sensors, CD/MP3 stereo and rear parking sensors. Optionally, you can order a JBL audio system, panoramic roof and Bluetooth. Cars are only brought to order — from two weeks to four months.

Warranty — two years without mileage limit. Peugeot is sold by 52 dealers in 34 Russian cities.

Prices for "hot" hatchbacks vary quite significantly. Opel Corsa OPC with a 1.6-liter turbo engine (192 hp) costs from 766,500 rubles. True, for this money the car only has a regular air conditioner, and parking sensors, light and rain sensors are absent. But there is heated front seats. Later this year, a more subdued Corsa GSi modification with a 150-horsepower engine should also appear. In the meantime, you'll have to wait for the OPC: delivery to order will take up to six months.

Warranty on Opel — two years without mileage limit. In Russia, the brand is represented by 111 dealers in 62 cities.

Renault Clio RS (2.0 L, 197 hp) costs 799 thousand rubles. Standard equipment includes eight airbags, stability control, climate control, heated front seats and a CD stereo. Options — Recaro sports seats, xenon headlights and a key card. Ordering the car will take about four months.

Warranty — two years without mileage limit. Renault has 109 dealers in 70 cities in Russia.

Mini Cooper S (1.6 L, 175 hp) is the most expensive in the group: from 925,200 rubles. Standard includes six airbags, stability control, power accessories, CD stereo and light and rain sensors. For the Starter package (air conditioning, heated seats, fog lights) you'll have to pay an extra 61,200 rubles, and for a six-speed automatic — 64,800 rubles. A regular Mini Cooper with a 120-horsepower naturally aspirated engine costs 727,200 rubles. Cars are available at dealers; an order will arrive in four months.

Warranty — two years without mileage limit. Mini is sold by 11 dealers in 8 Russian cities.

Cost of scheduled maintenance with consumables and parts, RUB
Scheduled service		Cars
		Ford Fiesta ST	Mini Cooper S	Opel Corsa OPC	Peugeot 207 RC	Renault Clio RS
Labor rate per hour		1400	2700	1300	1300	1350
Mileage, km	10000	—	5500	—	—	—
	15000	—	—	4900	—	6000
	20000	6000	9900	—	4100	—
	30000	—	7300	6000	—	9000
	40000	15000	10200	—	9000	—
	45000	—	—	4900	—	6000
	50000	—	7300	—	—	—
	60000	12000	8400	16500	7800	20000
	70000	—	5500	—	—	—
	75000	—	—	4900	—	6000
	80000	6000	9600	—	12000	—
	90000	—	7300	6000	—	9000
Total		39000	71000	43200	32900	56000

Approximate prices for original parts at dealers in Moscow, RUB
Parts	Cars
	Ford Fiesta ST	Mini Cooper S	Opel Corsa OPC	Peugeot 207 RC	Renault Clio RS
Oil filter	345	510	390	550	270
Fuel filter	520	2400	12600*	10050*	12000*
Air filter	1120	920	990	500	1160
Cabin filter	1100	1760	640	1140	850
Spark plug	380	850	300	380	870
Front brake pads	3140	6180	4180	2790	5210
Rear brake pads	3480	4630	4400	2750	5070
Front shock absorber	4650	6550	5300	2670	n/a**
Rear shock absorber	3040	4700	4800	3400	n/a**
Front stabilizer link	3470	970	1130	400	2570
Clutch disc	4970	5820***	4770	4960	8030
Front headlight	4630	17560	9500	7000	6230
Rear taillight	2765	4660	4700	2700	3130
Front fender	6330	4820	5890	3000	4170
Front bumper	16820	11230	20300	22890	22420
Hood	14040	15950	18590	11170	11830
Windshield	11940	11100	12150	21290	20086
* Complete with fuel pump
** N/a — no data
*** For version with manual transmission
After calling dealers, we found that there are no particular problems with delivery times for parts for the five "hot" hatchbacks: the longest wait is for shock absorbers and clutch for the Corsa — one and a half months

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Alternative

We included in our test all officially sold in Russia "hot" hatchbacks of the B+ class. There are also smaller cars with more modest engines, but, say, Citroen C2 VTS with a 1600-cc engine producing 125 hp will cost 545 thousand rubles — almost like the Ford Fiesta ST.

And what if you look at "hot" hatchbacks of the golf class? Prices there are quite comparable! For example, the updated Ford Focus ST (2.5 L, 225 hp), which perfectly combines comfort and drive, costs only 19 thousand rubles more than the Renault Clio RS — from 818 thousand rubles for the three-door. More about the Focus — in AR No. 10, 2006 and AR No. 23, 2006. For 829 thousand rubles you can get the fastest car in the class — the five-door Mazda 3 MPS with a 260-horsepower 2.3 DISI turbo engine and a self-locking differential (details — in AR No. 23, 2006 and AR No. 23, 2007). According to our measurements, the Focus ST is faster than the Clio RS only in top speed (it wins by 20 km/h), and accelerates to 100 km/h in the same 7.8 seconds. The Mazda 3 MPS reaches 240 km/h and hits 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds! Here and below — results of Autoreview's own measurements, not official data.

Opel Astra OPC	Volkswagen Golf GTI
Skoda Octavia RS	Seat Leon FR
Honda Civic Type R	Dodge Caliber SRT4

There are plenty of other contenders in the golf class. For instance, the three-door Opel Astra OPC is a real projectile: the suspension is ruthless, the character is jerky, but under the hood there is a two-liter turbo engine producing 240 hp. It shoots to 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds, with a top speed of 230 km/h. They ask from 839 thousand rubles for such a car. If you are not interested in racing for tenths, you can take a more modest 200-horsepower Astra GTC for 711 thousand. And for those who want something unusual, Opel's OPC division even has a minivan Meriva OPC: the engine is the same as the Corsa OPC, but detuned to 180 hp, and it costs from 749 thousand — 16 thousand less than the Corsa.

The benchmark of the genre remains the Volkswagen Golf GTI. Its two-liter turbo engine develops 200 hp, acceleration to 100 km/h takes 7.6 seconds, and the maximum is 220 km/h. The price starts from 906,780 rubles. The five-door Skoda Octavia RS is built on the same platform: it has 7.9 seconds to 100 km/h and 235 km/h on the speedometer. The hatchback is priced at 915 thousand rubles, the estate is 30 thousand more. We do not forget about the Spaniards: the Seat Leon FR will cost at least 946,900 rubles, but the Leon Cupra with the same two-liter turbo engine, but boosted to 240 hp, costs from 1 million 65 thousand.

Citroen C2 VTS	Opel Meriva OPC
Volvo C30 T5	Subaru Impreza WRX

The Honda three-door Civic Type R stands out from the crowd: under the hood it has a two-liter naturally aspirated engine with 200 hp, but in dynamics it is inferior to turbocharged rivals — 8.6 seconds to 100 km/h and 224 km/h of "top speed". The price is 913 thousand rubles. I talked about this car in more detail in AR No. 12, 2007 and AR No. 23, 2007.

Crossing the million mark, we find more serious machines. For example, all-wheel drive Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X — from 1,468,800 rubles — or Subaru Impreza WRX with a 2.5-liter engine with 230 hp, for which they ask from 1 million 166 thousand. There are also "premium" alternatives to Mini: Volvo, Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. So, the stylish three-door Volvo C30 T5 (220 hp, 7.8 seconds to 100 km/h, 230 km/h) costs from 1,019,100 rubles — I wrote about this in AR No. 12, 2007. The front-wheel drive Audi A3 2.0 TFSI (200 hp) cannot be found cheaper than 1 million 140 thousand. For the BMW 130i with an inline "six" with 265 hp, they ask from 1,162,800 rubles. And the Mercedes-Benz A 200 Turbo (2.0 l, 193 hp) is estimated at a minimum of 913,900 rubles — that is 11,300 less than the Mini Cooper S.

And the last hero is the Dodge Caliber SRT4. This front-wheel drive "charged" hatchback-crossover is equipped with a 2.4-liter turbo engine with 295 hp. In Russia, its sales started at a price of 940,500 rubles.

Ford Focus ST	Mazda 3 MPS
Audi A3 2.0 TFSI	BMW 130i