06 Jul 05
Changes under the skin are more dramatic, though. The Trophy's suspension is based on that of the Cup, but is lowered by 10mm thanks to shorter springs. The dampers are truly special, too. Developed by Sachs Race Engineering for competition cars, the front units cost 10 times as much as the regular 182's units. That high price is due to a remote reservoir which holds nearly half of the damper's oil and gas. This remote reservoir allows a thicker damper rod to be fitted which, along with a new hydraulic bump stop, lengthens suspension travel and reduces body roll and yaw.
Although stiffer than other 182s, the Trophy doesn't crash and jar over poorly surfaced roads - something which affects other sporty superminis such as the 206 GTi 180 and Seat Ibiza Cupra R. Only at high motorway speeds does the Trophy shimmy a little over bad patches of tarmac, but the compromise here pales into insignificance when you head for a section of twisty back road.
The Trophy feels completely at home pushing hard through more challenging corners. The stiff suspension keeps body roll down to an absolute minimum, and any that does creep through is absorbed by those snug Recaro seats. The Michelin Exalto 2 tyres' grip is exceptional, even in wet conditions, and allows corners to be taken at what would be a truly frightening lick in lesser hatches.
