Renault launches hot Clio

New hatch benefits from F1-derived technology

By PH Staff / Monday, 8 May 2006 / Loading comments

Renault Clio Renaultsport 197

Renault is set to launch the Clio Renaultsport 197 on 18 July, the opening day of the British Motor Show.

Ordering opens on 8 May for registered members of www.renaultsport.co.uk, while ordering opens for all on 30 May. It's priced at £15,995.

Renault's RenaultSport Technologies division has been developing the 197 alongside the normal model for the last three years. Its 2.0-litre engine produces 197bhp at 7,250rpm and 159lb-ft of torque at 5,550rpm. Driving via a new six-speed gearbox, this results in 0-62mph of 6.9 seconds and a top speed of 134mph.

Renault compares its hot hatch -- favourably of course -- to the new Ford Fiesta ST and VW Polo GTi, which have only 150bhp, the Mini Cooper S with 170bhp, and the bigger Golf GTi with 197hp but costing over £20,000. Official figures show that the Ford reaches 60mph in 7.9 seconds, while the Mini and Golf make it in 7.2 seconds, all slower than the 197. The 197 has a combined mpg of 31.7 and CO2 emissions of 209 g/km.

Aerodynamics

F1 cross-over technology includes an air diffuser incorporated into the rear bumper -- never before seen in this segment -- to improve stability by reducing rear-end lift and, at high speeds, channels air flow to increase suction. The radius of the diffuser’s curve is engineered to create a zone of low pressure beneath the car which sucks the car to the ground.

It reduces lift by a factor of three and produces the equivalent of up to 40kg of rear downforce without detracting from the car’s overall aerodynamics. This means that the rear air diffuser generates such downforce that it eliminates the need for a rear spoiler which would normally counter the lift.

The location of the twin exhausts is critical to the car’s performance, as the flush-fitted dual pipes are housed within the outer channels of the diffuser so as not to interfere with the aerodynamics, maximising its effectiveness.

The front of the car gets Renaultsport extended front wings with integrated side air extractors, plus extended rear wings and sills. The extractors have an aerodynamic function, reducing turbulence to reduce drag. The hot air and flow from under the bonnet of the car is facilitated by the extractor vents, while directing air flow along the sides of the car to enhance performance.

The car gets the Mégane Renaultsport 225's braking system -- which in PistonHeads' test of that car, we found needed constant heat to work efficiently which is fine for track use but not the A408. The system comprises 312mm-diameter ventilated front discs with Brembo four-pot callipers and 300mm diameter discs at the rear.

Styling

The new 197’s standard features include Renaultsport sports seats with extra lateral support, height and reach adjustable Renaultsport leather steering wheel with stitched red centreband, and soft touch carbon dashboard with satin chrome instrument dial surrounds and interior door handles, and drilled aluminium pedals.

On the outside, it gets an extended front spoiler, wider wheel arches to accommodate 17-inch Renaultsport alloy wheels and the latest 215/40 Continental Sport Contact 3 tyres, and body-coloured electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors (with driver’s blind spot eliminating). The colours available -- three metallic and two non-metallic -- are red (non-metallic), black and blue.

Interior features

Air conditioning, height adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar adjustment, reach and rake adjustable steering wheel, electric windows with driver one touch control, cruise control, speed limiter, variable assisted power steering and 60:40 split folding rear seat all come as standard.

Additional standard equipment includes the Renault hands-free Key Card for unlocking and ignition, multi-function trip computer, 30W RDS radio CD with fingertip remote control and removable smoker pack.

Safety

Renault claims to be the only manufacturer to have eight cars to have achieved the maximum five stars in independent crash tests by Euro NCAP. It also said that the 197 benefits from Renault’s F1-derived safety expertise, and includes eight airbags as standard.

It also gets ABS with EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution), ESP with disconnection function, new generation height adjustable front headrests, two height adjustable three point front seatbelts with integrated pretensioners and load limiters, three height adjustable rear head rests, ISOFIX child seat mounting points on front passenger seat and outer rear seats with front passenger airbag deactivation and three point rear seatbelts with integrated pretensioners and load limiters.

Anti-theft measures include an engine immobiliser (Thatcham category 2), insurance approved alarm system, (Thatcham category 1), remote central locking with deadlocking and RAID (Renault Anti Intruder Device) which automatically locks the doors when travelling above 5mph.