Renault Clio 197 CAR review

Hot hatch

What's this ball of testosterone?

It's only the most eagerly anticipated hot hatch of the year. Successor to the 182, the Clio 197 is the first of the small fast Renaults to use the new, third generation Clio platform. It's bigger and heavier but more powerful too.

So, what separates the hot version from a 'normal' Clio?

The 197 is built on a bespoke production line at Renaultsport in Dieppe, where the basic shell is among very few shared components with the stock car. The wings are flared to cover a track widened by 48mm at the front and 50mm at the back. There's an additional duct for cooling air in the front wings, as well as new front and rear bumpers, side skirts and grilles, heavily bolstered seats, aluminium suspension components and a Brembo brake set-up pinched from the Megane 225.