So here it is - collected my Christmas present to myself

[autofocus]

Hi there,

Decided that the Scirocco needed a bit of a rest so have passed it down to the wife who loves it to bits. Think the 50,000 miles I have done in just under two years mean that me and the car have got a long just fine.

Fancied something petrol after 2 years of a low revving diesel, and also wanted something I can do a few track days in. Christmas felt like as good a time as any after what has been one of the best years of my working life so far.

Collected tonight from Evans Halshaw in Chester, a 2007/57 Renault Clio Renaultsport 197 F1 Team (think thats its full name) in Nimbus Grey. Car number 85/500 complete with full Recaro interior and optional spoiler.

Drove back from Chester to Uttoxeter tonight and am really impressed with the car, although 4000 rpm in 6th doing 80mph seems odd as the rev counter carries on to 8000.

Looking forward to my first track day in it, fancy Oulton Park in the next month or two to give it an outing.

Heres some of the dealer pics as it was dark when I got home tonight, will try and get some better ones over the weekend.





Regards

Tim

[PLamborghini]

Looks tidy! I live in Chester, I have cycled past that exact car. Congratulations!

[stormrider2]

Looks like a very tidy example, i used to want one of the liquid gold ones, but insurance was crippling.

A cup front lip would set the car off perfectly.

[BDR529]

Looks like a fun little xmas present

[Merlot]

Looks great - although the pics it looks filthy?

[rich0411]

Very nice and in the best colour IMO

[soad]

Like that a lot. Good purchase

[Nedz]

I did a track day at oulton park last year and was taken round by an instructor in an exact same car.
Was very impressed,cracking little car,you will have fun in that at oulton!

[ShadownINja]

A fun present!

autofocus said:

although 4000 rpm in 6th doing 80mph seems odd as the rev counter carries on to 8000.

My back-of-postcard calculation suggests you should be able to hit 276mph if you push hard.

[vescaegg]

ShadownINja said:

A fun present!

autofocus said:

although 4000 rpm in 6th doing 80mph seems odd as the rev counter carries on to 8000.

My back-of-postcard calculation suggests you should be able to hit 276mph if you push hard.

I never understood this about the 197/200's. I have a 182 and the car sits at approx 4k rpm at 80mph in 5th. I looked into getting one for a 6th cruising gear for motorways but it seems that the 6th gear is sort of pointless; just means changing gear a lot more!

Edited by vescaegg on Thursday 30th December 15:15

[Phil Dicky]

Nedz said:

I did a track day at oulton park last year and was taken round by an instructor in an exact same car.
Was very impressed,cracking little car,you will have fun in that at oulton!

Did my ARDS in one at Oulton Park , very nice cars and a good track toy.

[ikonic]

Cracking cars mate.

I had a red R27 myself and took it round Oulton Park a few times.

Plenty of potential to upset more exotic machinery.

Has it got the OE Continental SportContact 3s on yours?

I remember changing the tyres on mine for some Michelins and it didn't feel anywhere near as good as it did on the SportContact 3s.

[matc]

Great choice, loved the 182 I used to have! I do fancy another to do some track-days in.

[snotrag]

ShadownINja said:

A fun present!

autofocus said:

although 4000 rpm in 6th doing 80mph seems odd as the rev counter carries on to 8000.

My back-of-postcard calculation suggests you should be able to hit 276mph if you push hard.

I think you might want to get a new back of a postcard....!???!

Great car though, makes a change from everything else that's turbocharged these days.

[Dr G]

Merlot said:

Looks great - although the pics it looks filthy?

Agreed, dealer pics are bloody awful but full marks for the car

[Jonny_693]

ShadownINja said:

A fun present!

autofocus said:

although 4000 rpm in 6th doing 80mph seems odd as the rev counter carries on to 8000.

My back-of-postcard calculation suggests you should be able to hit 276mph if you push hard.

Calculation fail.

Without drag it would hit 160mph shirley?

[turbolucie]

Looks covered in dew/water to me, not dirt.

[ShadownINja]

Jonny_693 said:

ShadownINja said:

A fun present!

autofocus said:

although 4000 rpm in 6th doing 80mph seems odd as the rev counter carries on to 8000.

My back-of-postcard calculation suggests you should be able to hit 276mph if you push hard.

Calculation fail.

Without drag it would hit 160mph shirley?

Irony fail... I thought the fact that the Clio is not considered the fastest production car in the world was enough to suggest my calculation was in humour.

Edited by ShadownINja on Friday 31st December 18:11

[autofocus]

turbolucie said:

Looks covered in dew/water to me, not dirt.

Hi there,

Yep, was dew not dirt.
All being well will get some proper pics over the weekend once it has had a good wash.

Regards

Tim

[robsco]

That looks lovely. I've never had the opportunity to have a go in one of the Renaultsport Clios, which is a shame as they seem to be very highly regarded.