The Clio is a class act offered by the renowned French auto manufacturer Renault. Sporty and always polished, the exterior has a very modern and good-looking exterior. Renault Australia has a crown in its line-up, the Clio. Only the very rapid Renault Clio Sport 197, inside the Clio range, is being sold currently in Oz. Superbly quick and a true-blue handler, the Renault Clio Sport 197 is built for speed.
The Formula One designed Clio has a heart that beats quickly. The 197 stands for 197 horsepower. If you convert that into modern-day terms, underneath the bonnet of the little fireball is 147 kW of power thumping out @ 7250 rpm. The 215 Nm @ 5500 rpm is class leading, and keeps the car well and truly ahead of the rest. The three-door hatchback body style is kept rapidly accelerating from 0-100 km/h in just 6.9 seconds, keep the throttle down and you will surely fly well past 220 km/h! The 2.0 litre in-line 4-cylinder engine has double overhead cam, variable valve timing/camshaft and four valves per cylinder cutting-edge technology. Fuel consumption is controlled to an optimum level using an adavanced Multi-point fuel injection system, and when the full potential of the potent engine is flung through the excellent manual six-speed transmission, the front-wheel drive Clio is incredibly enjoyable to drive.
Quick lap times soon reveal that you mess with a Renault Clio Sport 197 at your own peril. The hot hatch shows no mercy when hitting the corners at pace. The vehicle’s speed-proportional power steering system is light and exceedingly accurate, giving no room for any lazy action. You will enjoy the quick response and collossal grip of the double-axis strut suspension which ensures that there is supreme reduction in any effects of transverse engine torque-induced forces as the car accelerates under cornering. The four-wheel ABS and electronic Traction Control, via ABS & engine management systems, detect wheel slippage almost immediately, and make the necessary corrections instantaneously.
The interior is classy, as one has come to expect, and it is extremely comfortable to spend long hours inside a Clio cabin. There is seating for five, and the upholstery boasts leather seats. The luxury trim leather on the gearknob, the alloy look on the centre console and the alloy presence on the dashboard keeps the Clio cabin looking fresh and inspired. The front seats have cup holders closeby, and the air conditioning with climate control keeps the cabin blissfully balanced – regardless of what’s going on with the weather outside. Electric windows are of the one-touch type for raising the window up again. All occupants will enjoy the crystal clear sounds being played on the premium six speaker audio system. An on-board computer show the driver the vehicle’s average speed, average fuel consumption, instantaneous fuel consumption and the range for the remaining fuel in the tank. Cruise control is standard. ENCAP crash tests gave the Clio a five star – the top score.
With a roof spoiler, side body skirts and gloss paint, a Renault Clio Sport 197 is the complete package for making your drive exhilarating!
Current model series include:
For any more information on the Renault Clio, or for that matter any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181. If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quotes requests out to our national network of Renault dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours. Private Fleet – car buying made easy!
Back to Renault Car Reviews