06 Jun 06
A little lift-off oversteer can be provoked to bring the back of the car alive, but you really have to manhandle the car to get any more dramatic reaction out of it. Otherwise, it's fast and composed through corners - maybe a little too composed. It certainly doesn't feel as edgy or perky as past hot Clios.
The 197 is also hampered by the Clio's electric power steering system. Although it has been tweaked for better feel in the 197, it still gives too little feedback as to what's going on between rubber and road.
The standard sport seats are set high, which makes you feel as if you're perched on top of, rather than in them. Recaro bucket seats are a £850 option and sit some 15mm lower than the standard seats. We'd recommended them as they deliver a much better the driving position.
You have to work the 197's engine very hard to get the best performance from it, too. The maximum 159lb-ft of torque only arrives at 5,550rpm, so at low engine speeds the Clio really doesn't feel as quick as the numbers would suggest. Other hot-hatches with turbocharged engines will feel a lot punchier once the turbo comes into play at around 2,000rpm - by comparison, the Clio feels a bit lifeless until revved hard. And once you do explore the higher echelons of the rev range, that exhaust note comes into play.
At first, it's quite a nice raspy note, but over time it proves wearying. After a long motorway run, you'll be craving some ear plugs, as the exhaust becomes boomy and makes the standard CD player struggle to be heard.
