King Of Hot Hatches
Two years and a new replacement model later the 2005 Renault Clio 182 Trophy model remains the undisputed 'King Of Hot Hatches'. In comparison road tests, the only car that is it's equal front-wheel-drive-wise is the Honda Integra DC2 Type R which is front wheel drive, but a Coupe and not a hatchback. It was also considerably more expensive new and offers an almost identical power to weight ratio (PTW). In fact the Clio 182 Trophy weighs in with a PTW ratio similar to the much sought after Integra DC5 model.
The reason for it's pre-eminence? As standard factory fit Sachs Race Engineering High Performance Dampers on all four corners, Recaro Trendline half leather and Alcantara front seats as well as Speedline Corse Turini alloy wheels which are lighter than the Cup alloys they replace and improve the unsprung weight on each corner.
An example of this superb hatchback is detailed here. Only 500 ever produced and all finished in Capsicum Red with Trophy decals and a unique numbered plaque they are quite simply a performance bargain and already a classic. To drive is to believe.
The reason for it's pre-eminence? As standard factory fit Sachs Race Engineering High Performance Dampers on all four corners, Recaro Trendline half leather and Alcantara front seats as well as Speedline Corse Turini alloy wheels which are lighter than the Cup alloys they replace and improve the unsprung weight on each corner.
An example of this superb hatchback is detailed here. Only 500 ever produced and all finished in Capsicum Red with Trophy decals and a unique numbered plaque they are quite simply a performance bargain and already a classic. To drive is to believe.
Renault Clio Renaultsport 182 Trophy
posted by Steve Coulter at 8:46 AM
