Without wanting to get shot down, isn't the confusion here about what is meant by "on cam"?
The F4R engine in the 172/182 (and various other renault's in a different form) has basic variable valve timing. As described before this simply changes the camshaft angle by 16 degrees so that the inlet valves open at a different point in the cycle. Between idle and about 1500rpm the system is on timing mode 1, then at about 1500rpm timing mode 2 is activated and the cam angle changes so that the inlet valves open sooner causing overlap with the outlet valves designed to give the engine a torque boost. Above about 5000 rpm, the system goes back to timing mode 1 to achieve maximum power.
I wouldn't really call this coming "on cam" in the Honda V-TEC way, which actually employs 2 sets of lobes on the camshaft, each which can have different timing, lift height and opening duration. Hence, when a V-TEC engine comes "on cam" it is actually moving from one set of lobes to the other.
I think the 197 has the same F4R engine but with a more sophisticated continuous variable valve timing system, i.e. the cam angle hasn't just got 2 positions but is constantly adjusted depending on engine speed.