Evo had the 200 Cup about 2 seconds quicker around Bedford than the Trophy, didn't they? Different days so different temps/conditions etc, but you would assume that's a big enough margin to discount ambient changes.
Highly questionable lap times for the Trophy.
The biggest question to be answered in respect of the evo time is how can the DCi Megane - a diesel with less horsepower, lower rev limit, similar torque output and carrying 300+ kilos more post an identical time around bedford to that of a trophy?
It's just not possible, i've driven both on track, on the same day, same track and i was over two seconds slower in the meggy than the Trophy - that's a huge gap at Brands hatch.
Ok the circuit may suit the Trophy better, I know the Trophy better so this will account for maybe anything up to say a second at the very tops but I'd be amazed if the meggy can dify the laws of physics that equate weight V power V grip V gear change times V the amount of gear changes and have the Trophy with a better score/output yet has no gain in terms of time.....
This goes for the 182 also, but Reno themselves times the trophy at 1 seconds quicker around their own track compared to the 182 on which it's based. This can only be down to the suspension modifications.
Unfortunatly you just have to look at the facts and figures.
200 Better brakes
Same 0-60 time
200 Better handling? Not sure on that as i have never driven a 182 but everyone says its tighter.
So why would it be slower if it does most things better than the 182? I own a 200 and its still slugish at the moment as its only got 1.8k on the clocks. Any ideas of the millage on the 200 used on the show?
Paul
Weight plays a major part in lap times, 200+ kilos is a lot of the stuff to be carting around a track with only 20 bhp ish more...
What you are all forgeting is the fact the 197/200 are ncap 5 rated.
Hence stronger & safer.
Also is a lot nicer place to be than in the 172/182 & before i get slated i've had them all.
So for me i'd rather be in the safer car with similar perfomance.
At least unlike some other makes the perfomance has not taken a step backwards
that explains the weight and as steve says it's not all about outright performance figure. When you hit a tree you'll wish to be in an ncap 5 car not a 182....
Well done Renault for giving us such good motors
I can't agree more that the car i'd want to be in if i was hitting a tree on a b-road would be a ncap 5 rated one as opposed to a 182.
The performance figures are only part of the story. Some people choose cars based on colour ffs, that shows that what one person likes another doesn't. Hence the debate on cars...!