The order books are now open for the Renaultsport Clio 197 Cup, which should enable the Clio to take on its brother, the Megane 225 F1, in the hottest of the hot hatch stakes.
The Cup version weighs in at a nice round £1,000 less than the standard 197. By keeping your grand you lose out on essentials like powered door mirrors, hands free keycards and cruise control and instead have to put up with a 7mm ride height drop with stiffer spring and damper rates, red Brembo callipers and 17” Speedline wheels.
The introduction of the Cup spec has also allowed Renault to raise the gear ratios of 5th and 6th on all 197 models for less frenetic cruising.
Lots of the kit that was standard has now been moved to the options list, and buyers will have to part with an extra £850 for the privilege of being bear-hugged by Recaros. Add the cool Glacier White paint for £150 and you’re square with the cost of the standard car.
Renault is also a bit quiet on how much weight as actually been saved by deleting the more luxury fixtures and fittings, but we reckon that the upgrades should maintain the car’s credentials as one of the best modern hot hatches.
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