Road TestCar reviews - Renault - Clio - Renaultsport 197 3-dr hatchRenault modelsOverviewRenault Australia finally launches its piping-hot MkIII Clio 197 hot-hatch3 Apr 2009 AUSTRALIANS are spoiled for choice in ‘C’ segment small-car hot hatches, so where are all the iconic babies such as Peugeot’s seminal 205 GTi? Back in the 1980s and early 1990s – that’s where, before safety legislation and the weight of consumer expectations for gadgets and refinement forced car-makers to build ever-larger and heavier successors. And, really, the latest Renault Clio Renaultsport is no different. Or, at least, that’s what it might seem like on paper or after a brief drive. Live with RS 197 for a while, though, and you will see that this model has lost virtually none of its predecessor’s joie de vivre... Model release date: 1 August 2008 to 1 March 2010 All car reviewsAlfa Romeo Abarth Alpine Alpina Audi Aston Martin BMW Bentley Chevrolet Chery Citroen Chrysler Dodge Cupra Ferrari DS Ford Fiat FPV Foton GWM Great Wall Holden Haval HSV Honda Hyundai Hummer Isuzu Infiniti Jeep Jaguar Lamborghini Kia LDV Land Rover Lotus Lexus Maserati Mahindra McLaren Mazda Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-AMG Mini MG Nissan Mitsubishi Peugeot Opel Proton Porsche Renault Ram Rover Rolls-Royce Skoda Saab SsangYong Smart Suzuki Subaru Toyota Tesla Volvo Volkswagen Previous modelMUCH loved for its mighty-mouse performance and super-eager handling, this mouthful-of-a-hot-hatch is already a collector’s item, thanks in part to a superb power-to-weight ratio of 127kW/tonne, mated to a 1035kg lightweight body that oozed flair and practicality. Mated to a five-speed manual, the 131kW/200Nm 2.0-litre DOHC four-cylinder petrol unit provides hours of gokart-like fun, and great economy to boot. High equipment and safety levels and a sizeable interior top off one of the 21st Century’s early greats. |
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