wall

I'm getting tired of my 2 y.o. CooperS and I've started looking at new cars, to change around september-october.

Initially I was thinking of spending around 25,000 and was considering 130M, Sti, and a few others, but I've decided that really the CooperS has been so practical for my needs that I don't need any bigger and could do with extra 000s staying in my bank account.

So I've been noticing the new Clio RS 197 in a few mags: in photos looks good with the wide arches and the extractor, and the 4-pot brembos and 197 hp seem very good considering they are further improvements on an already good chassis and setup (the old Clio RS).

But ... never having seen one in the flesh, let alone driven one ... anyone has? How does it look? How does it drive? How is the quality of the interior? Any other comments?

Before you point me to local dealers ... already called, will be getting cars in the coming weeks (I'm in Italy and here they haven't been delivered yet).

Thanks for any input

Wall

Neilo

from what i understand the predecessor was the superior car, the new incarnation has gained a few too many pounds with not enough of a power increase. Having said that though it will be more refined that the outgoing 182.

rossyboy

iTrader: (8)

Nobody buys Renault Sport products for their refinement though.

If they have kept the driving experience as high as it was with the old model and added better build quality and materials, then great. But it doesn't appear to be that way from what you are saying....

stilover

Wait for the Cup pack to be introduced

paulg1979

iTrader: (1)

Just had my Evo through and they seem to think the new Clio 197 is excellent. 3 page write up and not many bad points said about it. Maybe 2.

rb5_336

get a works 225 kit on yours and have some serious power. I drove a works 210 over the weekend and it was great fun

Vtec-Abuser

Had a blast in one yesterday guys funnily enough... One word to sum it up.....
Disappointing!!!
My friend (Who owns a Clio Trophy) and I went to see the one they have in the show room in Dixon Renault Lincoln.. Got there and noticed they also have one on demo parked outside.. That and the fact that we both know the salesman that's running it, thought it'd be a shame not to take her out.. lol
Anyway, both swapped over and had about a 20 mile drive each and just left the dealership sooooo disappointed!!! Getting back in my mates Trophy was such a step up in driving experience.. I drove his Trophy back and it was just sooo much better IMHO.
In the 197's deffence, we were 3 up and it only had 190 miles on it, so I will reserve total judgement until I drive a 'run in' example on my own. But it felt slouchy, had little or no torque below 5,000 rpm (and even then, there wasn't the kick that you get in the 182) and felt very unresponsive.. Just seem to make alot of noise and didn't seem to go anywhere.. Especially from 80+ in 4th/5th..
The handling wasn't a patch on the Trophy, slightly wallowy (spelling ) for some reason and i'm not totally into the looks yet either.. As soon as they bring out a Cup/Trophy version, with darker rims, spoiler etc it'll look spot on, but at min I think it just looks a bit subtle IMO.. Do like the vents in the arches though..
On the plus side.. The interior is alot better than previous Clios.. Seats hold you in very well (obviously not as nice as the Recaros ). and the general driving position is alot better and isn't Bus driver like compared with the previous Clio.. Brakes were very impressive on feel, although I hardly gave them a great deal of hammer..
But on the whole I expected a lot more really.. But as I say, i'll give one (that's got a few thousand miles on it) another go and reserve full judgement till then..

wall

Thanks for the feedback guys! Does anyone know how long before the Cup pack / version is out?

W

stilover

Think I read, towards the back end of the year, maybe early next.

Not sure, need to check that.

druddle

I am sure the car will be great, but good luck with the dealers and quality of servicing.......(had a 172 for 2.5 years and major headaches with dealer)

Dave

Steve vRS

The dealers are rubbish but I've yet to own a marque where the dealers have been a pleasure (Ford, Vauxhall, Audi, Subaru, Skoda, Fiat).

Steve

lozgti

I'm sorry but the 197 looks like a basic clio to me.Doesn't look special at all whether or not it's quick..

Last clio looked better and the one before that better again. Can't imagine it would be more fun than a CooperS either

EvoBarry

Wait for the Sept issue of EVO (Aug 2nd release) - there is a big "best fwder" feature with the 197, Mini GP Works etc in. That might help?