//ON CARS - REMAPPING!
//ON CARS - REMAPPING!
  • //Tuning
    • //ON CARS Remapping
    • Remapping Explained
    • Remapping Tools
    • Tuning and Suspension
    • Remapping Network and Self Tuning Tools
  • //Nürburgring
    • Nürburgring Tours
    • Atomic Shop GmbH
  • //Reviews
    • Aston Martin >
      • ASTON MARTIN VANTAGE - 4.7 LITRE V8 420HP (469NM)
    • Audi >
      • Audi RS7 4.0 TFSI 682hp 930NM+
      • AUDI A6 3.0 V6 TDI 233HP (450NM)
      • AUDI R8 - 4.2 LITRE V8 FSI 420HP (430NM)​
      • AUDI R8 - 5.2 LITRE V10 FSI 562HP (540NM)
      • AUDI SQ5 3.0 TDI 313HP (650NM)
      • AUDI TT 2.0 TFSI - 200HP (280NM)
    • BMW >
      • EVN Ring Rentals BMW M2 Clubsport
      • Raeder Motorsport BMW F Series M2
      • BMW F82 M4 431hp 550NM
      • BMW F21 120i 184ps 270NM
      • BMW E82 1M
      • BMW E46 325ci 'Clubsport'
      • BMW E30 320i 4.0 V8 CONVERSION
      • BMW E46 'M3' 3.2 Litre 343hp (365NM)
      • BMW E82 125i 3.0 Litre 211hp (250NM)
      • BMW E92 335i 306HP (400NM)
      • BMW F20 'M'135i - 3.0 LITRE 370HP (515NM)
      • BMW F34 'M4' - 3.0 LITRE 415HP (550NM)
      • BMW 125i 218ps (310NM)
    • Cirtroen >
      • CITROEN C2 1.1 LITRE 59HP (?NM)
    • Dodge >
      • DODGE RAM 360 CID 5.9 Litre V8 - 235hp (352NM)
    • Ferrari >
      • FERRARI 458 ITALIA - 4.5 LITRE V8 562HP (540NM)
      • FERRARI F430 - 4.3 LITRE V8 510HP (490NM)
    • Ford >
      • FORD FIESTA MK6 ST150 150HP (190NM)
      • FORD FIESTA MK6 ZETEC 1.6 TDCI 90HP (204NM)
      • FORD FIESTA MK7 1.0 ECOBOOST 140HP (210NM)
      • NEW FORD FOCUS RS 350HP (475NM)
      • FORD FOCUS ST225 2.5T 277HP (481.3NM)
      • FORD MONDEO ST220 3.0 V6 226hp (285NM)
    • Fiat >
      • FIAT ABARTH PUNTO EVO ESSESSE 180HP (270NM)
    • Lamborghini >
      • LAMBORGHINI HURACAN LP 610-4 - 5.2 LITRE V10 610HP (560NM)
    • Honda >
      • HONDA CIVIC TYPE R 'FN2' - 198hp (193NM)
    • Mclaren >
      • MCLAREN MP4-12C 700HP (740NM)
    • Mercedes Benz >
      • 2018 Mercedes C63-S AMG
    • Nissan >
      • NISSAN GTR (R35) #KNIGHTRACER
      • NISSAN 350Z - 3.5 LITRE V6 301HP (350NM)
    • Opel >
      • OPEL ASTRA 2.0T GTC 280HP (400NM)
      • OPEL CORSA VXR 1.6T NURBURGRING EDITION 210hp (250NM)
    • Porsche >
      • PORSCHE CAYMAN (981) GT4 - 3.8 LITRE 385HP (420NM)
      • PORSCHE 911 (997) CARRERA 2S 355HP (400NM)
      • PORSCHE 911 (996) GT3 - 3.6 LITRE 381HP (385NM)
      • PORSCHE 911 TURBO (997) 3.6 LITRE TWIN TURBO ​563HP (927NM)
      • PORSCHE 911 (996) C4S 320HP (370NM)
    • Renault >
      • NEW RENAULT CLIO RS 1.6T 200hp (240NM)
      • RENAULT CLIO 197 - 2.0 LITRE 16v 197HP (215NM)
      • RENAULT TWINGO RS 133hp (160NM)
      • RENAULT CLI​O 172 - 2.0 LITRE 16V 172HP (200NM)
    • Suzuki >
      • SUZUKI SWIFT SPORT!
      • SUZUKI TURBO SWIFT!
    • Toyota >
      • GR YARIS
    • Volkswagen >
      • VW Golf 7 GTi 2.0 TSI 230ps
      • VW Up! GTi Review at Ipswich Volkswagen
      • VW GOLF MK5 'R32' 3.2 LITRE V6 250HP (320NM)
      • VW GOLF R - 2.0 LITRE 292HP (380NM)
      • VW POLO 6C1 1.0 LITRE 60HP (95NM)
      • VW SCIROCCO 2.0 TDI 140HP (320NM)
      • VW GOLF MK5 GTI 2.0 LITRE TFSI 197HP (280NM)​
      • VW Sub 7Up! from Apex Nürburg
      • VW GOLF MK1 GTI 1.6 112HP (140NM)
  • //STUDIO
  • //EARBUDS
  • //MERCH
  • //Tuning
    • //ON CARS Remapping
    • Remapping Explained
    • Remapping Tools
    • Tuning and Suspension
    • Remapping Network and Self Tuning Tools
  • //Nürburgring
    • Nürburgring Tours
    • Atomic Shop GmbH
  • //Reviews
    • Aston Martin >
      • ASTON MARTIN VANTAGE - 4.7 LITRE V8 420HP (469NM)
    • Audi >
      • Audi RS7 4.0 TFSI 682hp 930NM+
      • AUDI A6 3.0 V6 TDI 233HP (450NM)
      • AUDI R8 - 4.2 LITRE V8 FSI 420HP (430NM)​
      • AUDI R8 - 5.2 LITRE V10 FSI 562HP (540NM)
      • AUDI SQ5 3.0 TDI 313HP (650NM)
      • AUDI TT 2.0 TFSI - 200HP (280NM)
    • BMW >
      • EVN Ring Rentals BMW M2 Clubsport
      • Raeder Motorsport BMW F Series M2
      • BMW F82 M4 431hp 550NM
      • BMW F21 120i 184ps 270NM
      • BMW E82 1M
      • BMW E46 325ci 'Clubsport'
      • BMW E30 320i 4.0 V8 CONVERSION
      • BMW E46 'M3' 3.2 Litre 343hp (365NM)
      • BMW E82 125i 3.0 Litre 211hp (250NM)
      • BMW E92 335i 306HP (400NM)
      • BMW F20 'M'135i - 3.0 LITRE 370HP (515NM)
      • BMW F34 'M4' - 3.0 LITRE 415HP (550NM)
      • BMW 125i 218ps (310NM)
    • Cirtroen >
      • CITROEN C2 1.1 LITRE 59HP (?NM)
    • Dodge >
      • DODGE RAM 360 CID 5.9 Litre V8 - 235hp (352NM)
    • Ferrari >
      • FERRARI 458 ITALIA - 4.5 LITRE V8 562HP (540NM)
      • FERRARI F430 - 4.3 LITRE V8 510HP (490NM)
    • Ford >
      • FORD FIESTA MK6 ST150 150HP (190NM)
      • FORD FIESTA MK6 ZETEC 1.6 TDCI 90HP (204NM)
      • FORD FIESTA MK7 1.0 ECOBOOST 140HP (210NM)
      • NEW FORD FOCUS RS 350HP (475NM)
      • FORD FOCUS ST225 2.5T 277HP (481.3NM)
      • FORD MONDEO ST220 3.0 V6 226hp (285NM)
    • Fiat >
      • FIAT ABARTH PUNTO EVO ESSESSE 180HP (270NM)
    • Lamborghini >
      • LAMBORGHINI HURACAN LP 610-4 - 5.2 LITRE V10 610HP (560NM)
    • Honda >
      • HONDA CIVIC TYPE R 'FN2' - 198hp (193NM)
    • Mclaren >
      • MCLAREN MP4-12C 700HP (740NM)
    • Mercedes Benz >
      • 2018 Mercedes C63-S AMG
    • Nissan >
      • NISSAN GTR (R35) #KNIGHTRACER
      • NISSAN 350Z - 3.5 LITRE V6 301HP (350NM)
    • Opel >
      • OPEL ASTRA 2.0T GTC 280HP (400NM)
      • OPEL CORSA VXR 1.6T NURBURGRING EDITION 210hp (250NM)
    • Porsche >
      • PORSCHE CAYMAN (981) GT4 - 3.8 LITRE 385HP (420NM)
      • PORSCHE 911 (997) CARRERA 2S 355HP (400NM)
      • PORSCHE 911 (996) GT3 - 3.6 LITRE 381HP (385NM)
      • PORSCHE 911 TURBO (997) 3.6 LITRE TWIN TURBO ​563HP (927NM)
      • PORSCHE 911 (996) C4S 320HP (370NM)
    • Renault >
      • NEW RENAULT CLIO RS 1.6T 200hp (240NM)
      • RENAULT CLIO 197 - 2.0 LITRE 16v 197HP (215NM)
      • RENAULT TWINGO RS 133hp (160NM)
      • RENAULT CLI​O 172 - 2.0 LITRE 16V 172HP (200NM)
    • Suzuki >
      • SUZUKI SWIFT SPORT!
      • SUZUKI TURBO SWIFT!
    • Toyota >
      • GR YARIS
    • Volkswagen >
      • VW Golf 7 GTi 2.0 TSI 230ps
      • VW Up! GTi Review at Ipswich Volkswagen
      • VW GOLF MK5 'R32' 3.2 LITRE V6 250HP (320NM)
      • VW GOLF R - 2.0 LITRE 292HP (380NM)
      • VW POLO 6C1 1.0 LITRE 60HP (95NM)
      • VW SCIROCCO 2.0 TDI 140HP (320NM)
      • VW GOLF MK5 GTI 2.0 LITRE TFSI 197HP (280NM)​
      • VW Sub 7Up! from Apex Nürburg
      • VW GOLF MK1 GTI 1.6 112HP (140NM)
  • //STUDIO
  • //EARBUDS
  • //MERCH

RENAULT CLIO 197 - 2.0 16v 197HP (215NM)​

 Okay.. this car is fun!

So why am I sat in the middle of Norwich (Prince of Wales Road) grinning from ear to ear?  ITS BECAUSE I'VE BEEN LET LOOSE IN A RENAULT CLIO SPORT 197!!  Hahahaaaa!!  Engine purring in neutral - waiting for the lights to turn 'green' so I can manoeuvre this car around the ring road in search of fuel.

Well my first impression is it sounds good!  I'm not sure of the modifications - didn't stop to ask - I prefer to get in a car and test it with little knowledge of spec/power/add ons so that my time driving isn't biased by the knowledge a car has been tuned, or has 'xxx' Induction Kit fitted etc.   I am especially fond of the neat spoiler on the back - it adds character and sets it apart from the lower models in the Clio range.

First stop - Tesco Garage for some Momentum 99RON.   I did hold a poll some months ago debating whether Shell V Power or Tesco Momentum was best, and after testing I prefer using Tesco Momentum in my cars.  Shell V Power is a good petrol, but I notice 1-2 degrees of knock correction whenever I fill up with it.  Petrol Turbo engines are fine with Shell V Power (Stage 1), but a highly tuned n/a engine needs as high RON as I can find.  Personally I am sticking to Tesco Momentum 99RON, which is a shame, because I'll lose the points/free fuel vouchers, but every time I use V Power its a disappointment.  Enough of my rambling -> lets talk about the car!


Out of the box it isn't a shabby car by any means.  It is clean, modern, doesn't have the 'common' look that the Ford Focus ST (225hp) has.  I would be perfectly fine getting in and out of this car every day and driving about.  While I still love the original Phase 1 Clio Sport, and the Phase 2 variants - something about this model is just BETTER.  It is roomier - the interior is a million times better than its predecessor.   To be completely honest I'm pretty won over with this and will be borrowing this car again before deciding whether I should buy one (as a daily runaround).


​The Chassis

Nice and tight - no silly body roll, just what I expect from Renault.  I still remember my J-Reg Clio Sport 1.8 16v when I was younger.  It was the model under the Clio Williams, and I loved it to bits!  I throw these cars at bends and they seem to giggle for more!  Probably not the best invitation but its an addiction and I love how well balanced this thing is.

The Body

Oh yes!  Look at those lines!  Renault have done some serious thinking when drawing this car.  I'm under the assumption they came up with this yummy creation first, then made it simpler for the basic models.. Not sure on that, but this is the BEST looking Clio I've ever seen.  Ever. Look at those vents at the front!  Its tidy spoiler for a dab more downforce.  I think its one of the best looking hot hatches on sale today, and this is a 2007 model that still looks immaculate to my eye!

The Throttle

Hmmm..  On initial pull off its fine, feels good, doesn't do any silly spluttering or hesitation when I'm driving in line with traffic.  When I first put my foot to the floor I was like erm.. huh?

It was really bad through the RPM range, but this isn't a low revving car, and was designed to have its neck wrung like a chicken!  So the second time I gave it some beans I went through a 30mph into 40mph, and smashed my foot to the floor when I saw the National Speed Limit sign (heading towards Salhouse, if you know Norfolk Roads).  Oh yes.. wake up it does wake up when you get it over 4500-5000RPM.  Unlike the Honda Civic Type R, my eyes were 'pinned' to the road at 100% throttle, which means the car is picking up pace, and I need to concentrate. Sadly I didn't get that from the Honda Civic Type R but have another Civic to test soon that might change my mind (remapped/Kpro III).  I had another blast from 1st, 2nd, into 3rd gear and I am impressed with the standard power in this little Clio.  I likey!

The Exhaust

This car has had the Catalytic Converter removed.  I wasn't aware of this when I collected the car, and the owner explained it causes a bit of a flat spot when removed.  I will be tuning this car in the next couple of weeks (road tuning, not Rolling Road) and will work to make the car smoother lower down the RPM range with a wee bit more power up top!  It did make a little 'pop' and 'burble' when I pulled away in 1st gear, but the sound isn't too loud or obtrusive. 
​

Finally - this is a great Sports Hatchback.  There's plenty of boot space for shopping, rear seat space (which I'd use for carrying my laptop/tools), front cabin is wide and luxurious in comparison to the older model.  I like.  I like.  I even think 'I want' ;-) which is naughty, because I know I couldn't control myself when presented with a nice corner or bend.  I really wouldn't mind taking this home.  Win!



​
Nicholas Lawrence //ON CARS
[email protected]
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//ON CARS Remapping!


Software Tuning Work Hours

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If you have to tune a car outside these hours please book in advance.

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//ON CARS Remapping! is available in the UK, Europe and Dubai.

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