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Supermini hot-hatches tend to pack about 150bhp and cost in the region of £15,000. Renault, however, has decided to punch above its weight with the latest offering from its RenaultSport division.
The Clio RenaultSport 197 follows in a long history of fast Renaults which started 40 years ago with the Renault 8 Gordini and, more recently, with the Clio Williams, 172, 172 Cup, 182 and the super-special Clio Trophy. Powered by a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre 16-valve engine, the latest hot Clio packs a 197bhp punch, making it the most powerful front-wheel drive Clio ever.
All that power is channelled through the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox and although there is a stability and traction control programme, it can be switched off. That leaves you at the mercy of nature's own traction control system - your right foot. Manage the power just right and time your gearchanges to perfection and the Clio 197 will manage a 6.9sec 0-62mph sprint. It'll also reach 134mph.
Most manufacturers limit the differences between their hot hatches and regular cooking models to some suspension tweaks, big alloys and deeper bumpers, but Renault has gone one step further and employed some F1 technology for the 197.
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Source = 4Car
