MG4 Long Range RWD vs Renault Clio 3 RS 200: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the 4 Long Range RWD hits 100 km/h in 6.73 s versus 7.03 s for the Clio 3 RS 200. The instant torque of 350 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the 4 Long Range RWD leads by 0.30 s and sits roughly 3 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the 4 Long Range RWD is doing 129 km/h against 125 km/h for the Clio 3 RS 200. The gap is 0.21 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the 4 Long Range RWD crosses the line in 14.92 s versus 15.20 s. The 0.28 s gap represents roughly 12 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The 4 Long Range RWD maxes out at 180 km/h while the Clio 3 RS 200 keeps accelerating towards 223 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.33 s.

Around 997 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the Clio 3 RS 200 overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 43 km/h higher top speed.

At 1,000 metres, the Clio 3 RS 200 finishes in 27.23 s versus 27.23 s. The 0.01 s delta shows an extremely tight race.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 4 Long Range RWD is capped at 180 km/h, the Clio 3 RS 200 at 223 km/h. This isn’t a physical engine limit - it’s a manufacturer choice, usually for tyre safety or homologation reasons. Neither car reaches its true aerodynamic top speed.

Instant electric torque gives an advantage off the line. The higher top speed of the combustion engine gives an advantage over longer distances. The distance at which one catches the other depends on the top speed differential.

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 10.83 seconds. The 0.30 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.