172 Cup
Yea, so I thought I'd call in Renault just on the off-chance they'd have one in, and they did. Had a sit inside, then asked for a test drive.
He took a few details off me and off we went, my brother jumped in the back so we were 3 up. First things that I noticed were that the steering is really so much lighter than the Cup, when I got back in mine it was like it didn't have power steering. The gearbox is a lot nicer to work with, shorter throw and that all important 6th gear is perfect and much needed in the 172/182 because it just instantly shuts the engine up altogether.
The one I was driving had done 1600 miles. The acceleration is timid to say the least, I can reflect the opinions of the majority on this one, getting to 5k on the rev band seems to take forever in every gear, and when you do the '5k kick' is almost non-existant!
The clutch and accelerator pedals are a lot lighter, which is a small blessing if you're driving the car long distances in heavy traffic, by the end of the outing I felt very comfortable with it and was a bit of a shock again when I got back in the Cup.
As for the cornering, we took it around a few country lanes and it felt very composed indeed. This is where the 197 really shines, the build quality also makes you feel as if you're in a much more composed car all round when you're slinging it round bends. The wider track is very noticeable.
The seats are really comfortable, although the side supports are softer than the Cup's, they still hold you in as well I think. Also the rear lumber support I could really get used to, much softer and a nicer place to sit overall.
The dash/centre console I wasn't very impressed with, looks too basic and a bit ugly. I wouldn't like to think I'd have to look at that every day. However the overall build quality in the cabin is far superior to the 172.
So in a nutshell that's my opinion on the 197. I was happy to get back in my Cup afterwards, as I left the dealership I gave it some in 1st and 2nd and it was obviously faster. I don't think I'll be buying one, the Cup is a much more involved drive, the lighter steering on the 197 takes a little bit out of the 'feel' but you soon forget that in the corners.
It's like Roy said, you just don't at all feel as if you're driving a 197bhp car, or anywhere near it for that matter.
He took a few details off me and off we went, my brother jumped in the back so we were 3 up. First things that I noticed were that the steering is really so much lighter than the Cup, when I got back in mine it was like it didn't have power steering. The gearbox is a lot nicer to work with, shorter throw and that all important 6th gear is perfect and much needed in the 172/182 because it just instantly shuts the engine up altogether.
The one I was driving had done 1600 miles. The acceleration is timid to say the least, I can reflect the opinions of the majority on this one, getting to 5k on the rev band seems to take forever in every gear, and when you do the '5k kick' is almost non-existant!
The clutch and accelerator pedals are a lot lighter, which is a small blessing if you're driving the car long distances in heavy traffic, by the end of the outing I felt very comfortable with it and was a bit of a shock again when I got back in the Cup.
As for the cornering, we took it around a few country lanes and it felt very composed indeed. This is where the 197 really shines, the build quality also makes you feel as if you're in a much more composed car all round when you're slinging it round bends. The wider track is very noticeable.
The seats are really comfortable, although the side supports are softer than the Cup's, they still hold you in as well I think. Also the rear lumber support I could really get used to, much softer and a nicer place to sit overall.
The dash/centre console I wasn't very impressed with, looks too basic and a bit ugly. I wouldn't like to think I'd have to look at that every day. However the overall build quality in the cabin is far superior to the 172.
So in a nutshell that's my opinion on the 197. I was happy to get back in my Cup afterwards, as I left the dealership I gave it some in 1st and 2nd and it was obviously faster. I don't think I'll be buying one, the Cup is a much more involved drive, the lighter steering on the 197 takes a little bit out of the 'feel' but you soon forget that in the corners.
It's like Roy said, you just don't at all feel as if you're driving a 197bhp car, or anywhere near it for that matter.
