Renault didn't skimp on the standard specification of the first Clio Renaultsport 197. It came with keyless entry and ignition, air conditioning, cruise control, electric door mirrors and twin front and curtain airbags. The
F1 Team R27 limited edition model
of 2007 added tinted rear windows, Recaro front seats and uprated stereo. The Recaro seats were an existing option for the standard 197 at £850 and are now much sought-after by buyers.
Recaros look great and improve connection
Then the Cup arrived with a stripped out interior and £1,000 lower price tag. Renaultsport ditched the air conditioning, curtain airbags and cruise control, used the dash from the most basic Clio Extreme model and did away with remote central locking and electric door mirrors. Ignition was now by a standard key, while the two-way adjustable steering column of the standard 197 was replaced by a lighter height-only adjustable column. Air-con and curtain airbags could be reinstated to the Cup as options for £525 and £200 respectively.
As with the rest of the range, Recaro seats were and £850 option for the Cup. While these seats are very desirable, they also suffer very easily from a worn bolster on the right-hand side. It's simple to have this repaired by an upholstery specialist for around £100, but look for a car where it's not worn as the sign of a conscientious owner.
No frills Cup versions are pretty basic inside
The other two points to check inside the
RS Clio
are the steering wheel and rear seat latches. Many owners will have replaced the original steering wheel as the leather 'melts' and peels away, leaving the wheel looking untidy and unpleasant to use. A steering wheel refinished in wear-resistant Alcantara is around £150. As for the rear seat latches, they will cause a rattle and the only cure is gently repositioning the catches to sit more snugly in the catch.
PHer's view:
"I remember first jumping in and thinking that all the money had been spent on how it drove and felt - the controls are all nicely weighted and positioned. Love the upshift beep - it does make you drive like a hooligan with the aim of hitting it on every gearchange but then that's what hot hatches are for!"
Jonny Hughes
