Renaultsport Clio 197
Discussion
I'm test driving one of these on Monday. It is the standard car but with the Cup chassis.
I'd rather have tested a bog standard one but what difference does the Cup chassis make? I presume it's a little stiffer and therefore handles a little better but is the standard set-up greatly different?
I'd rather have tested a bog standard one but what difference does the Cup chassis make? I presume it's a little stiffer and therefore handles a little better but is the standard set-up greatly different?
As I understand it you can buy a Clio 197 Cup which has the Cup chassis, etc but a more basic interior. This is cheaper than the standard 197.
Or you can buy a standard 197 and add the Cup chassis as an option.
Or you can buy a 197 Lux which is a standard 197 but with some options (inc leather) as standard.
Or you can buy a standard 197 and add the Cup chassis as an option.
Or you can buy a 197 Lux which is a standard 197 but with some options (inc leather) as standard.
The premise of the Cup version (i.e. 172 Cup, 182 Cup, 197 Cup) is to offer uprated suspension but with less equipment (and therefore weight) at a cheaper price than the normal respective model. The 172 Cup was the most focused on actual weight saving - it had no ABS and thinner rear glass, amongst other things.
The Cup "pack", which can be added to a normal model, allows you to retain the better equipment levels and get the uprated suspension.
The Cup pack available on the 197 has:
Stiffer springs (27% front; 30% rear)
Stiffer dampers (10%)
7mm lowered ride height
Anthracite wheels
Red brake callipers
The Cup pack isn't too harsh and is absolutely superb on a track. It does lose a bit of compliance over rough B-roads compared to the normal version but it really, really is worth getting.
Details here: http://www.renaultsport.co.uk/roadcars/clio/Defaul...
A review here: http://www.autocar.co.uk/CarReviews/FirstDrives/Re...
A long term blog here: http://cars.uk.msn.com/Reviews/article.aspx?cp-doc...
The Cup "pack", which can be added to a normal model, allows you to retain the better equipment levels and get the uprated suspension.
The Cup pack available on the 197 has:
Stiffer springs (27% front; 30% rear)
Stiffer dampers (10%)
7mm lowered ride height
Anthracite wheels
Red brake callipers
The Cup pack isn't too harsh and is absolutely superb on a track. It does lose a bit of compliance over rough B-roads compared to the normal version but it really, really is worth getting.
Details here: http://www.renaultsport.co.uk/roadcars/clio/Defaul...
A review here: http://www.autocar.co.uk/CarReviews/FirstDrives/Re...
A long term blog here: http://cars.uk.msn.com/Reviews/article.aspx?cp-doc...
G_T said:
So just for my reference...
Chassis same across models, suspension different?
Yes.Chassis same across models, suspension different?
Normal car + Cup chassis has the lowered/stiffened suspension as listed above.
197 Cup (as in the model) has the cheaper dashboard, A/C only no climate and loses a few other bits and pieces and has the Cup suspension option as standard.
OP I recently tested a 197 with the Cup pack (and nearly every other option) cracking fun and sounded like the clappers at 7k in 2nd!
LukeBird said:
G_T said:
So just for my reference...
Chassis same across models, suspension different?
Yes.Chassis same across models, suspension different?
Normal car + Cup chassis has the lowered/stiffened suspension as listed above.
197 Cup (as in the model) has the cheaper dashboard, A/C only no climate and loses a few other bits and pieces and has the Cup suspension option as standard.
OP I recently tested a 197 with the Cup pack (and nearly every other option) cracking fun and sounded like the clappers at 7k in 2nd!
Chris49 said:
LukeBird said:
G_T said:
So just for my reference...
Chassis same across models, suspension different?
Yes.Chassis same across models, suspension different?
Normal car + Cup chassis has the lowered/stiffened suspension as listed above.
197 Cup (as in the model) has the cheaper dashboard, A/C only no climate and loses a few other bits and pieces and has the Cup suspension option as standard.
OP I recently tested a 197 with the Cup pack (and nearly every other option) cracking fun and sounded like the clappers at 7k in 2nd!
I did consider it (there was a hefty saving on list) but insurance was astronomical in comparison to an RS Clio 182!!
I'm moving at the end of this month and then on holiday, so I'll be searching for one after that!
I know, excuses, excuses!
I'm starting to sound like ironic... Is it a new Clio you are thinking of buying?
If you are buying new there is a facelift car coming soon.
http://www.worldcarfans.com/9090224.009/renault-cl...
If you are buying new there is a facelift car coming soon.
http://www.worldcarfans.com/9090224.009/renault-cl...
Personal thing but the 197's that i ran (a Full Fat and a Cup) i prefered the FF 197 as a better car to live with day to day.
Cup suspension is good but IMO in the 197 it makes the car too hard.
Luke - I would strongly suggest going for a blast in an RS Twingo with the cup suspension before you commit to a 182. What a brilliant little car that is, can be bought for under £10k, lots of warranty and it has a very sensible insurance group too.
Cup suspension is good but IMO in the 197 it makes the car too hard.
Luke - I would strongly suggest going for a blast in an RS Twingo with the cup suspension before you commit to a 182. What a brilliant little car that is, can be bought for under £10k, lots of warranty and it has a very sensible insurance group too.
Edited by LHDisbest on Tuesday 24th February 22:24
G_T said:
If you can live with the build quality those Clio Cups are great little cars.
Personally I'd pay the extra and have the older trophy myself...
Yup thats the one to have. The old 172 is actually a better car than the 197 IMO but if you have considerations such as space/wanting a newer one etc then the 197 isnt exactly a bad choice.Personally I'd pay the extra and have the older trophy myself...
Enjoy it. I had such a blast when I had one for the weekend.
The Cup suspension is meant to be quite compliant around town - I drove a standard one which was fine.
The Lux pack looks good value, so check that out. Pretty much all the options apart from xenons with a big discount.
The minor downsides I found were that you really had to work it to make it go fast, but that is part of the fun too! Also, it is slightly boomy on the motorway but you quickly get used to it.
Racing Blue is the colour IMHO, plus it's almost worth the purchase price alone for the red stitching on top of the steering wheel.
The Cup suspension is meant to be quite compliant around town - I drove a standard one which was fine.
The Lux pack looks good value, so check that out. Pretty much all the options apart from xenons with a big discount.
The minor downsides I found were that you really had to work it to make it go fast, but that is part of the fun too! Also, it is slightly boomy on the motorway but you quickly get used to it.
Racing Blue is the colour IMHO, plus it's almost worth the purchase price alone for the red stitching on top of the steering wheel.
Ecurie Ecosse said:
Enjoy it. I had such a blast when I had one for the weekend.
The Cup suspension is meant to be quite compliant around town - I drove a standard one which was fine.
The Lux pack looks good value, so check that out. Pretty much all the options apart from xenons with a big discount.
The minor downsides I found were that you really had to work it to make it go fast, but that is part of the fun too! Also, it is slightly boomy on the motorway but you quickly get used to it.
Racing Blue is the colour IMHO, plus it's almost worth the purchase price alone for the red stitching on top of the steering wheel.
4k revs at 70mph The Cup suspension is meant to be quite compliant around town - I drove a standard one which was fine.
The Lux pack looks good value, so check that out. Pretty much all the options apart from xenons with a big discount.
The minor downsides I found were that you really had to work it to make it go fast, but that is part of the fun too! Also, it is slightly boomy on the motorway but you quickly get used to it.
Racing Blue is the colour IMHO, plus it's almost worth the purchase price alone for the red stitching on top of the steering wheel.
172cup is the one to have if you can find a low mileage, unmolested one
Edited by Militant Worker on Tuesday 24th February 22:34
fridaypassion said:
G_T said:
If you can live with the build quality those Clio Cups are great little cars.
Personally I'd pay the extra and have the older trophy myself...
Yup thats the one to have. The old 172 is actually a better car than the 197 IMO but if you have considerations such as space/wanting a newer one etc then the 197 isnt exactly a bad choice.Personally I'd pay the extra and have the older trophy myself...
Militant Worker said:
LHDisbest said:
Militant Worker said:
4k revs at 70mph
Not with the cars with the revised gearbox built October 07 on. Ratios were revised to make it a bit quieter on the motorway.
172Cup is 3.3k at 70mph
t? You don't buy either for motorway blasting.Edited for spelling
Edited by John D. on Tuesday 24th February 23:10
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