TT
06-27-2006, 05:25 PM
Sadly no pics, so the reviews can't qualify for the new reviews section :( sorry.. maybe I'll have some pictures opportunity soon though, but I'll use "our" review format anyway
Renault Clio RS 197
Intro
So, today I test drove the new Clio RS 197. Sadly it was a short test that was basically the last step of an online game and a seller came with me and ma pal: this mean no fucking pics and a very short and pre-planned route :( sad because the car is VERY good!
Specs
Engine - I4, 1998cc
Power - 197 hp (145 kw) / 7250 rpm
Torque - 215 Nm / 5500 rpm
Weight (empty) - 1365 kg
Fuel Tank - 55 l
Max Speed (declared) - 215 km/h
Acceleration (declared), 0-100 km/h - 6.9 s. 1000 meters in 27.5 s
Fuel economy (out of town / town / mixed) - 7.1 / 12.2 / 8.9 l/100 km
Tranny - 6 gears manual
Seats - 5
Doors - 3
Length / width - 3991 / 1768 mm
Height - 1484 mm
Boot - 288 / 1028 dm3
Exterior
Subtle mods, but bloody nice! Air exits behind the front wheels, air extractor with integrated exhaust tips at the back, gaping front air intake! This car screams business! "mine" was sadly the pretty boring silver and not one of the two hot blue shades available
Interior
Good again! Business again and no needless flourishing! I can compared it to the Mégane RS F1 and that's better! The car behind much cheaper (10 grands in swiss francs), you are not bothered by the lack of high-tech gizmos and what you get is meaty and good! The seats for once, while the ones in the Mégane look damn cool but offer no real support, the Clio's are maybe less flashy, but VERY supportive both on the hips and shoulders! Really a pleasure to be in them! The wheel is small and meaty, controls simple and basics and easy to find. Nothing impressive but still well executed.
How does it drive
Wha! 197 hp and 215 Nm means the car has some punch, even with three ppl on board (that's some 250 or some more kg) and air con (very hot day). The gears are short and close to each other, meaning the revs drop by just some 1000 to 1500 rpm when shifting up! Easy to keep the car on boil! And the gearbox is a pearl. To be honest, this side of the marvelous Lambo or Ferrari H gates which are a pleasure to operate because of their aura, this is one of the best boxes I ever tried! Short throw, terribly precise and rapid! You can really fly through the gears as far as your arm and obviously feet allow! You'll never miss a gear! The pedals are perfectly crafted for some proper heel and toe and it would be heresy not to do so! The brake pedal is hard to modulate at low speed, first cm already offering some (too) strong bite, but once moving is well judged and easy to use. Steering is super soft at parking speeds but weight builds up with speed and although not as sensitive as "old" cars, you can still feel something through the assistance it always carries along.
The noise is such a pleasure to listen to! I read in evo that the 172 or better 182 trophy had much better noises. To be honest I never drove them so I can't compare, but the 197 has a bassy and sexy soundtrack that makes you smile! The seller described it as "tuned Porsche like"... well, nofuckingway dude, but it's one of the best small hatches sound too and make you want to go through the gears all day.
The engine has apparently two "vtec" kicks if you want to call them like that. At 3000 you feel the first kick and trust increases significantly, and second kick comes at 5000. You then have the last 3000 rpm to play with, where all the horses are running with you!
Acceleration is not really THAT impressive. After all we are talking about high 6 with a single person on board.. add two more and you are for sure in the low 7, which is nothing crazy. But even if I just had 3 or 4 proper corners I felt the potential and even if for sure heavier than the older models, this car knows its moves once you'll bring it in the heart of the action and it seemed so funny! So funny actually I booked another test later next month to try and have some more proper roads to drive on and also some pictures time because the car is sexy to look at!
What are the most positive features of the car?
The pocket rocket look, the "not so linear" engine, the short throw gearing and short gears
What are the most negative features of the car?
Boot access is a bit too high, some details are a bit tacky (rev counter and speedo...), no time to find more, I was in awe
How do you think this car compares to its direct competition?
Honestly, I didn't drive many cars in the category, but I drove probably the best one, the Cooper S, which is brilliant, and yet, didn't feel as focused. That said, the Clio will probably need a Trophy version to really shine and I am sure a longer test would take out some downsides too. Also, sorry but it's a French car...
Conclusion
I was expecting a great drive and it was. I would have killed for more hairpins because this car really deserve to be trashed on proper roads! The most exciting sporty model in the Renault range maybe, but still, if you love Turbos, 10% more money will buy you the Mégane RS Trophy...
Renault Clio RS 197
Intro
So, today I test drove the new Clio RS 197. Sadly it was a short test that was basically the last step of an online game and a seller came with me and ma pal: this mean no fucking pics and a very short and pre-planned route :( sad because the car is VERY good!
Specs
Engine - I4, 1998cc
Power - 197 hp (145 kw) / 7250 rpm
Torque - 215 Nm / 5500 rpm
Weight (empty) - 1365 kg
Fuel Tank - 55 l
Max Speed (declared) - 215 km/h
Acceleration (declared), 0-100 km/h - 6.9 s. 1000 meters in 27.5 s
Fuel economy (out of town / town / mixed) - 7.1 / 12.2 / 8.9 l/100 km
Tranny - 6 gears manual
Seats - 5
Doors - 3
Length / width - 3991 / 1768 mm
Height - 1484 mm
Boot - 288 / 1028 dm3
Exterior
Subtle mods, but bloody nice! Air exits behind the front wheels, air extractor with integrated exhaust tips at the back, gaping front air intake! This car screams business! "mine" was sadly the pretty boring silver and not one of the two hot blue shades available
Interior
Good again! Business again and no needless flourishing! I can compared it to the Mégane RS F1 and that's better! The car behind much cheaper (10 grands in swiss francs), you are not bothered by the lack of high-tech gizmos and what you get is meaty and good! The seats for once, while the ones in the Mégane look damn cool but offer no real support, the Clio's are maybe less flashy, but VERY supportive both on the hips and shoulders! Really a pleasure to be in them! The wheel is small and meaty, controls simple and basics and easy to find. Nothing impressive but still well executed.
How does it drive
Wha! 197 hp and 215 Nm means the car has some punch, even with three ppl on board (that's some 250 or some more kg) and air con (very hot day). The gears are short and close to each other, meaning the revs drop by just some 1000 to 1500 rpm when shifting up! Easy to keep the car on boil! And the gearbox is a pearl. To be honest, this side of the marvelous Lambo or Ferrari H gates which are a pleasure to operate because of their aura, this is one of the best boxes I ever tried! Short throw, terribly precise and rapid! You can really fly through the gears as far as your arm and obviously feet allow! You'll never miss a gear! The pedals are perfectly crafted for some proper heel and toe and it would be heresy not to do so! The brake pedal is hard to modulate at low speed, first cm already offering some (too) strong bite, but once moving is well judged and easy to use. Steering is super soft at parking speeds but weight builds up with speed and although not as sensitive as "old" cars, you can still feel something through the assistance it always carries along.
The noise is such a pleasure to listen to! I read in evo that the 172 or better 182 trophy had much better noises. To be honest I never drove them so I can't compare, but the 197 has a bassy and sexy soundtrack that makes you smile! The seller described it as "tuned Porsche like"... well, nofuckingway dude, but it's one of the best small hatches sound too and make you want to go through the gears all day.
The engine has apparently two "vtec" kicks if you want to call them like that. At 3000 you feel the first kick and trust increases significantly, and second kick comes at 5000. You then have the last 3000 rpm to play with, where all the horses are running with you!
Acceleration is not really THAT impressive. After all we are talking about high 6 with a single person on board.. add two more and you are for sure in the low 7, which is nothing crazy. But even if I just had 3 or 4 proper corners I felt the potential and even if for sure heavier than the older models, this car knows its moves once you'll bring it in the heart of the action and it seemed so funny! So funny actually I booked another test later next month to try and have some more proper roads to drive on and also some pictures time because the car is sexy to look at!
What are the most positive features of the car?
The pocket rocket look, the "not so linear" engine, the short throw gearing and short gears
What are the most negative features of the car?
Boot access is a bit too high, some details are a bit tacky (rev counter and speedo...), no time to find more, I was in awe
How do you think this car compares to its direct competition?
Honestly, I didn't drive many cars in the category, but I drove probably the best one, the Cooper S, which is brilliant, and yet, didn't feel as focused. That said, the Clio will probably need a Trophy version to really shine and I am sure a longer test would take out some downsides too. Also, sorry but it's a French car...
Conclusion
I was expecting a great drive and it was. I would have killed for more hairpins because this car really deserve to be trashed on proper roads! The most exciting sporty model in the Renault range maybe, but still, if you love Turbos, 10% more money will buy you the Mégane RS Trophy...