2008 Clio RenaultSport 197
August 5, 2008 by Alborz Fallah
Renault Australia has announced two new models to complete its range of hot hatches, the new Clio Sport 197 and the Megane Renault Sport dCi 175.
The Renault Clio Sport 197 (or as Renault like to call it, the Clio Renault Sport 197) is powered by a naturally aspirated, 4-cylinder, 16 valve engine which generates 145kW (197hp – hence the name) at 7,250rpm and 215Nm of torque at 5,550rpm. You can pick one up from just $36,490.00.
The engine is essentially the same as the one which powers the Clio II Renault Sport 182, but with 15 more hp. The new figure puts the power output at almost 100hp per litre.
The 145kW are pushed through a new six-speed manual gearbox, which leads to a 0-100km/h time of 6.9 seconds. Rather quick for a N/A.
Renault says the extra 15hp has come from numerous modifications and optimisations to the powertrain, including modified intake and exhaust port length and profiling, valve seat aerodynamics and better calibration of the camshafts.
The company is also happy to admit that it has spend considerable time making sure that whilst the Clio drives well, it also sounds good too. With a noticeable discreet pitch at low revs, the 2.0-litre engine note builds through the rev range, reaching its peak and producing its trademark ‘bark’ as the 7,250rpm red line approaches.
The desire for a better noise has led to the spare wheel being replaced by an exhaust silencer housing with a streamlined, flat panel under-cover. The French giant has also flush fitted the dual exhausts within the outer channels of the diffuser to ensure minimal aerodynamic interference with the system.
The engine aside, the actual chassis of the car itself, is slightly different compared with those of Clio III. Modifications include a slightly longer wheelbase and wider front and rear tracks (lengthened by 10mm and with an increase in track width of 48mm to the front and 50mm to the rear). Additionally there is a double-axis strut system and aluminium components to complete the package.
External features include a wider front and rear wing, lowered suspension (15mm) with side skirts, a semi-rigid under-bumper splitter joined together with the extractor vents and diffuser to emphasis the car’s sporty nature.
The Sporty Clio rides on 215/45/R17 light alloy wheels which house a set of Brembo brake calipers and big discs.
From the inside the 197 interior also receives its share of sporty features such as aluminium pedals and perforated-leather steering wheel with red centre-point stitching, gear-change indicator light while the Renault Sport logo appears on the instrument backgrounds, door sills and front seats.
Being a Renault you can be assured the Clio is about as safe as a car can get. The 197 comes with, wait for it… eight airbags. Additionally there are new generation height adjustable front headrests, integrated seatbelt pretensioners and load limiters. The usual package is also included with ABS with Electronic Brake Distribution and a switchable sports-tuned ESP stability control system.
Standard equipement includes
- 17” Renault Sport alloy wheels,
- leather steering wheel with red stitched centreband (rake adjustable),
- electric windows,
- drilled aluminium pedals,
- multi-function trip computer,
- Cruise control (with speed limiter),
- 30W AM/FM radio with single CD
- 60/40 split folding rear seats.
Options include:
- Metallic paint ($800),
- Xenon lights ($1750),
- 4×40w AM/FM stereo with dash-mounted 6-CD stacker ($800),
- Panoramic electric glass sunroof ($1890)
The Renault Clio Sport 197 retails for $36,490.00 and is covered by the company’s 3 year/100,000km warranty.
Print it: 
I drove one today, was quite a nice ride. Though I can’t see myself forking out 39 k for one! Its a pity this is the only new clio coming to Australia (the dealer said they would be priced to high in the small car market[26k for a car the size of a yaris]).
This actually looks reasonable for a french car, much better than the 4 door with it’s stupid rear end.
But this engine is as bad as the Honda, with max torque appearing only after you have attracted the attention of every cop nearby, and max power at a stupid 7250rpm.
While you’re thrashing this thing to get even modest suburban performance, you’ll be drinking fuel at much more than the sticker figure. No DSG either.
Doesn’t cut it against the Golf GTI for mine. I love my 280NM at 1750rpm – buyers of this car are welcome to 215 at the stratosphereric 5550rpm.
Sure there’s no turbo to go wrong, but there’s no more power available in the Renault either, but for small bikkies you can increase the GTI power to 190Kw and 401Nm.
Reckless that ugly rear rump you refer to is on a different car the Megan not the Clio!!
Kinda agree with you on the revvy bit. Buy a diesel instead, more oommph at lower revs. Lovely.
Whats “Rather quick for a N/A.” supposed to mean?? Sorry I must be daft.
An attempt by Renault to compete with Honda’s persistence with N/A engine philosophy.
Reckless, I have to add to your comment “this engine is as bad as the Honda”. Yes, the latest CTR (or Clio in this context) needs to be revved hard to extract that torque and power figures. Yes, it won’t give the convenient of GTI in terms of torque delivery. But they don’t really compete in the same page. One is turbo-ed. The other is N/A. Does GTI give driver as much involvement? I doubt it. High revving engines are on the league of their own. You can’t just compare them side by side! Also not to mention, GTI doesn’t have that racy sound of VTEC.
Back to the topic. Clio’s presence in high-output N/A market would definitely give a ground shake to Honda’s current stand. While Honda’s engine long-term reliability is top class (me mate owns a DC2R with 100+ km milage and it’s still as rugged as ever), Renault still have to acquire a proving ground. One factor that still favor Honda. Only time will tell and sooner or later Honda have to react.
100hp per litre is not to be sneezed at though. Kudos to Renault :)
Reckless1 Said: ……………
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“Sure there’s no turbo to go wrong, but there’s no more power available in the Renault either, but for small bikkies you can increase the GTI power to 190Kw and 401Nm.”
Increase the GTI’s power!That’s very unlike you,didn’t you mention you drive an automatic on cruise control through the city while sipping on your cafe-latte?
You right about the available power increase for the GTI because you need that to keep up with the turbo cars in the same class!
It look nice i like it but too expensive for this size… There are lot of choice for this price( a bit more) like new XR5, Golf GTI, Civic type-R… There are all biger cars
cant wait for the review
It is a shame that this arrives so expensive. It is a really good car but competing out of its league. In the UK it is priced at a level with the corsa vxr (turbo 1.6L)etc and is better. In the UK you can get the cup model which is lighter, faster, has better handling……and is cheaper.
If you are going to compare any VW then it is the polo gti and that tells you the problem with the price. Performance wise than the Golf gti compares to the Megane…..R26 and that Renault is in a difference performance league to the gti.
All cars new cars in Australia are overpriced, theres no use comparing our prices with overseas, it will only cause your blood pressure to rise…
Not a bad power output for a car weighing just over a ton! The shape looks nice and a little bit bigger than the 182. Its also a shame its arrived about 2 years after its release in europe. oh and totally a direct competitor to polo gti, not so much the golf.
Riviera says “Does GTI give driver as much involvement? I doubt it.”
Clearly you haven’t driven one, or read the countless reviews of the multi award winning GTI since 30 years ago.”
Fasthonda misreads things “Increase the GTI’s power!That’s very unlike you,didn’t you mention you drive an automatic on cruise control through the city while sipping on your cafe-latte?”
I certainly do use the cruise control in the city, but I leave my Latte sipping to when I’m in a cafe. And it’s not unlike me to go for more power, because I’m a petrol head from 45 years back.
And there is no turbo 4 in direct competition with the GTI. There are 4wd Subarus, EVOs, etc, but they are much hotter and dearer, and there’s the Focus which is below the Golf in refinement, and has a 2.5 litre engine with 5cyl. So we don’t need to chip it to beat the competition, since there is none – but when we do, there is no competition at all :)
Yes, this car is probably more comparable to the Polo GTI in target market, but again the Polo 1.8 can be chipped easily for more power like the Golf, whereas this vehicle is at its max when you get it.
Other car magazines have pitted the Megane Sport 225 with the CTR, but I think the 197 has more in common with the CTR and would really love to see it in a one-on-one match with the 197. Both are NA engines producing about the same power, and both are 3-door hatches around the same price. CarAdvice can you please do a comparo with these two cars please. Leave the turbo’ed cars to fight against their own kind…lol.
Nice car, I considered one when I first heard they were coming out. But way way overpriced. The market has moved on. Far more better choices for that kind of money. If it was priced at around $33K with all of the options included I think they would of found a market. We have a strong $, no excuses for the price hike on these things. As most Renault’s anyway they will sit in showrooms for a while collecting dust. Like the supposedly sold out R26’s. I saw a brand new black one (2007) sitting in a showroom till very recently.
just a quick note:
the clio 197’s 0-100km/h is 6.9(manual)
the golf gti’s 0-100km/h is 6.9(DSG) and 7.2(manual)
I own a polo GTI (turbo) and I had a nice long drive of the clio sport today and I am tempted to sell the polo to get one. the polo is good for the money but the clio is so much better to drive, the handling was awesome and power was nice and smooth although it did only start to pick up from about 5500 rpm, 0 to 100 in 6.9 is not bad. If you like to drive the clio is a great car!
I actually saw the 197 today at paris. No doubt, it is a small car but ‘isn’t a hatchback suppose to be’. The build quality is brilliant with brembo brakes as factory and paranomic sunroof as optional. These you can’t get in the Type R.
Can’t wait to try the corner in the Clio 197…
Ive had a Clio 182 for the last 4 years and it has been the best fun car I’ve ever driven. I test drove the 197 on Saturday with a view to upgrading. Same formula, perhaps a little more refined, still fun but probably not as hard edged as the 182. I’m a bit undecided, price is an issue although the sales guys seemed keen to move a little, apparently for some strange reason they seem to have a few in stock at the moment ; )
For a few K more i could get the new WRX with AWD and nearly 200 Kw, would have to slow down for corners, but would probably hold its resale value better than the 182 has.