Goo-Net Exchange Showdown Overload #1: Sporty Euro Hatches

"carcrasher88" (carcrasher88) 08/13/2016 at 12:54 • Filed to: Goo-Net Showdown, Japan, SEAT Leon Supra, Audi S3 Sportback, Renault Lutecia RS Cup

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Since nobody seems to have any idea how much longer pages like Oppo may have left, I’m taking this weekend to load up some GNE Showdowns to get everyone’s spirits up.

Our first showdown involves three European sporty hatchbacks that are generally forbidden fruit here in the US.

Our first entry is a bright orange forbidden fruit from Gernany, a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Under the hood is a quattro GmbH tuned turbocharged 2.0 FSI I4 with a maximum output of 261 bhp.

This S3 comes with lots of features, in typical Audi fashion, along with a great looking set of 18 inch alloy wheels and that flat-bottom steering wheel.

All of this performance comes at a bit of a price, but it’s a pretty reasonable price: 2,499,000 yen (sales tax included), or about $24,665.65, with 20,000km on it.

Our next entry is from France, wearing a name it only uses in the Japanese market...the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

Renault doesn’t use the Clio name in Japan, because even though Honda doesn’t have it’s Clio, Primo, and Verno dealer networks anymore, they still hold the rights to the Clio name in Japan.

Lutecia, on the other hand, still suits a Renault well, derived from Lutetia, a former Roman city that is now modern day Paris.

The modern Lutecia RS uses a 1.6 liter turbo engine (Nissan MR), producing 197 hp and about 250 lb-ft of torque, is exclusively available in 5-door bodystyle (as the 3-door had been discontinued, and the other bodystyle is the estate), with only an EDC dual-clutch transmission.

This Lutecia’s listing is very specific on mileage, with 38,008km/23,617 miles on it.

It’s underpowered compared to the Audi, but it’s also cheaper, listed for 1,989,000 yen/$19,631.85 (sales tax included.

Lastly, our final competitor here comes from Spain, and she’s a beauty...a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

The Cupra features a 2.0 TFSI, but not the same engine as the above S3, because that would be a Cupra R. So, drivers make do with 237 bhp and 236 lb-ft of torque.

The Cupra doesn’t come as well equipped as the S3, either, lacking navigation, sunroof, backup camera...but it has something that will likely make enthusiasts look past that...it’s the only one here with a manual transmission, where the other two use DCTs.

It’s mileage is right in the middle of the Lutecia and S3, with 28,284km/17,574 on it, and is just BARELY cheaper than the Lutecia, possibly because it’s the oldest one here...1,988,000 yen/$19,621.98 (sales tax included), less than ten dollars less than the Renault.

Now, the question is...which of these three forbidden fruits would you rather sneak home in your lunch box?

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Keep an eye out, because there’s gonna be more of these coming over this weekend.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > carcrasher88 08/13/2016 at 13:01

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I voted S3 because I got my Kinja handle from the engine of it.

jkm7680 > carcrasher88 08/13/2016 at 13:02

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If the S3 was manual id take it in a heartbeat.

Dave the car guy , still here > carcrasher88 08/13/2016 at 16:55

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I voted for S3 because I drive its cousin. Ingolstadt built FTW.

RT > carcrasher88 08/20/2016 at 09:45

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I choose the Audi. The Seat and Clio/Lutecia are nice - but with the Audi you’re getting both a fun car and a luxurious one.