Newsletter # 7 14May 2010

RENAULT Sport & A lpine EXPO

Brisbane – 9 July to 25 July 2010
What’s it all about? If you missed the earlier RSAE Newsletters and are wondering what
the RSAE is all about, please read page 6.
Something New - Renault Nepta
(For details, see page 2)

Something Old
(For details, see page 2)
Renault Nepta: In 2006, Renault displayed the Nepta convertible concept car at the Mondial de
l'Automobile. It is equipped with a direct injection twin turbo gasoline V6 with a displacement of 3.5 l and a
power of 420 hp (310 kW). There are no known plans to put Nepta into production.

Length: 4,995 mm (196.7 in)

Width: 1,956 mm (77.0 in)
Height: 1,332 mm (52.4 in)
Question: How do you get in?

Renault Vivaquatre – Type ADL 1 / ADL 2: The Vivaquatre was produced from 1936 to 1939. It was a
typical Renault of that period. It was technically conservative and fairly ordinary to drive. However, it was
commodious, reliable, long lasting and fairly economical. It made a good taxicab! Vivaquatres were used
as taxis in parts of France until the late 1950s. It may have been released after the Light 15 Citroen, but in
terms of ride, roadholding and general driving pleasure for an enthusiastic driver, it might as well have
been designed ten years earlier!
The Vivaquatre was powered by the famous ‘85’ engine, that some said would last forever. The ‘85’ was
used post-war in the Colorale utility and Prairie station wagon. The ‘85’ engine was a four cylinder in line
side valve with a 85mm bore, 105mm stroke for 2,383cc capacity. It produced 56BHP at 3,300 RPM.

RenaultSPORT Clio, or …..Why Do So Many People Park on Roundabouts?

(1) An owner’s perspective!

Your Humble Scribe (HS) first noticed a change in behavior of motorists in early July 2001. People started
parking in the middle of the road on roundabouts! I investigated this phenomenon and found that the
parking was for a very short term. If ever I missed a turn and had to go around the roundabout again, the
cars had moved, although sometimes not very far! Also I noticed that every vehicle on the road seemed to
have become clumsy and slow!
Something else happened to your HS around this time. People started to suggest that I needed to consult
a surgeon – to surgically remove the smile that seemed to be constantly on my face. Then people started
to avoid me. They said that every time I spoke to them, I would give them a half-hour lecture on the virtues
of my newly acquired RenaultSPORT Clio Cup 172!
I was seriously besotted with the Clio, and I still am!
I have now owned my RSC 172 Cup for nine years. It has been reliable, durable, economical and all of the
dull but necessary things that some people think are the real measure of the worth of a car. But they are
not car enthusiasts! To me, the true measure of the worth of the Clio is that it is an absolute joy to drive. It
is always enthusiastic about what I want it to do. It is always on my side. It is the automotive equivalent of
a dutiful wife who is always fun to be with and a passionate lover as well!

(2) RenaultSPORT Clio 2, Ph. 1 Cup 172 Statistics

Engine: Transverse In-line 4 – 1998cc, 82.7mm bore X 93.0mm stroke

Multi-point fuel injection, TOHC, variable valve timing, 4 valves per cylinder,
atmospherically inducted.
124Kw @ 6,250RPM, 200 Nm @ 5,400RPM
Tyre Size: 195/50/15 on 7JX15 rims, front & rear
Top Speed: 222kph, 0 – 400m – 15.3s, 0 – 1,000m – 28.0s
Fuel Capacity: 50 l, Consumption Range – 5.0 to 20 l/100km, Average about 8 l/100km
Brake Size: 280mm ventilated discs at front, 228mm plain discs at rear.
Wheelbase: 2,772mm, Length – 3,773mm, Width – 1,670mm, Height – 1,417mm
Track: 1,395mm, Kerb Mass: 1,035 kg

(3) Later versions of RSC 2

The RSC2 Phase 1 was followed by a slightly revised Phase 2 version at the end of 2001. The Phase 2
versions were slightly heavier than the Phase 1s, and therefore weren’t quite as quick. That was all fixed
with the release of the RSC 182 in Cup and Trophy versions. These were even better and faster than my
Clio. In fact, a number of testers said that the RSC 182 was the best hot hatch ever. Their previous choice
for that title was the Clio Williams of the 1990s.
In 2006, EVO Magazine conducted a test in the Italian Alps, running a RSC 182 Trophy against a BMW
M6. The route taken was very fast which favoured the M6. However it turned out to be a fairly even match
in absolute terms, with the Clio being far better under brakes and through the corners. The M6s only
advantage was straight-line performance. The Clio was the clear moral winner, because it cost only about
one fifth as much as a M6!
Then EVO held their Car of the Year 2005 analysis. It started with an affordable car preliminary, which the
Clio easily won. The Clio Trophy and the BMW M3 CS were the only affordable cars chosen to compete in
the finals with some exotic super-cars. Some extracts from that article appear below:

‘The Clio tips into the most exquisite three-wheel stance while finding miraculous traction’
There’s lots more I could quote from EVO and other
magazines, but in a nutshell, in 2005, the motoring
press thought that the RenaultSPORT Clio was just –
the best affordable sporting car in
the world!
(4) RenaultSPORT Clio 3

So, you might think that since the RenaultSPORT Clio 2 was such a great car, the later versions must
have been a bit of a letdown? No, RenaultSPORT hadn’t read that script. They just did what many thought
impossible. They made the new RenaultSPORT 197 even better!
The Clio RenaultSPORT 197 was a ‘grown up’ version of the 172 and 182. The 197 was a bit larger, more
powerful and heavier than before. It offered slightly more performance, slightly better handling, but much
better composure. It was a better car in any measurable way, but the added composure meant that some
of the excitement was lost. Also, power was developed at higher revs, so there was the feeling that you
had to ‘cane it’ to get it to go! People unfamiliar with the 172 and 182 probably wouldn’t notice, but the
wonderful mid-range punch was gone.
The 197 still got marvelous reviews. The press thought that it was great. Owners raved (like someone I
know!)! Everyone was happy, except for RenaultSPORT, that is.
They loved the praise but weren’t happy about the very mild criticisms of the 197. They went to work, and
the result is the Clio RenaultSPORT 200:

Clio RenaultSPORT 200 Cup

The Clio RenaultSPORT 200 Cup is a mildly but thoroughly revised version of the 197. The few mild
criticisms have been fixed and the 200 is poised for the same accolades earned by its 182 Trophy
predecessor!

Clio RenaultSPORT 200 Cup in action!

(5) Clio RenaultSPORT 200 Cup – Statistics of the best affordable sporting car in the world!

CLIO RENAULT SPORT 200 CUP

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE
Type Euro 4
Capacity (cc) 1,998
Bore x stroke (mm) 82.7 x 93
Number of cylinders/valves 4 in-line/16
Compression ratio 11.5:1
Max. power (kW) 147.5
Max. power (rpm) 7,100
Max. torque (Nm) 215
Max. torque (rpm) 5,400
Injection Multipoint
Fuel Premium unleaded (98 RON rec.)
TRANSMISSION
Type 6-speed Manual
Speeds at 1000rpm in 1st gear 7.90
2nd gear 12.62
3rd gear 17.50
4th gear 22.04
5th gear 27.36
6th gear 32.77
STEERING
Type Variable Electric Power Assist
Turning circle between kerbs/walls (m) 11/11.40
Turns lock-to-lock 2.83
SUSPENSION
Front suspension Double-axis strut system
Rear suspension Torsion beam with programmed deflection – coil springs
Front/rear anti-roll bar - dia (mm) 20/30 integrated
Cup Chassis S
WHEELS AND TYRES
Wheels (inches) 7.5 J 17
Tyres 215/45 R 17
BRAKING
Front Braking System Brembo® 4 piston calipers – Ventilated discs (312mm)
Rear Braking System Solid discs (300mm)
PERFORMANCE
Max. speed (kmph) 225
0 to 100km/h 6.9
FUEL CONSUMPTION^
City (L/100km) 11.3
Highway (L/100km) 6.4
Combined cycle (L/100km) 8.2
CO2 Emissions (g/km) Euro4 195
CAPACITY
Fuel tank (litres) 55
WEIGHTS
Tare weight (kg) 1,281
VOLUME
Under rear parcel shelf (litres) 288
With rear seats folded (litres) 1,038

What RSAE 2010 all about!

In June 2004, six members of the Renault Car Club of Queensland (RCCQ) attended the
Alpine Recorde du Monde at Zolder racing circuit in Belgium. That event involved 667
RenaultSport, Gordinis, Alpines etc, from 52 car clubs and 16 different countries!
With the Alpine Recorde du Monde as inspiration, the RCCQ held the very successful
Renault Sport & Alpine Expo – 2005! We now plan an even larger event, the RSAE – 2010!
The Planned Itinerary for RSAE 2010 is:
• Friday 9 July – Welcome Function 7.00 – 9.00 pm.
• Saturday 10 July – Scenic Drive on some picturesque SE Qld roads with an official
assembly photo shoot and lunch at the destination.
• Saturday 10 July Evening – Gala Dinner 7 pm Robertson Gardens - includes an
interesting guest speaker and a Renault memorabilia auction.
• Sunday 11 July – A Grand Display of French Cars starting at 9:30 am at Brookfield
Pony Club Showgrounds, followed by a casual dinner for RSAE participants.
Optional additional events are:
• Monday 12 July – Track Day: A sprint event at a circuit near Brisbane.
• Tuesday 13 to Friday 16 July – Transit to Sydney along some interesting back roads.
• Sunday 18 July – Sydney All French Car Day.
• More driving excursions for those returning to Queensland, using a different route.

Anybody with an interest in Renault, Alpine, Gordini or related cars is very welcome. You
don’t need to own the latest RenaultSPORT to attend!
However, we do NOT expect any RENAULT Colorales to make along to RSAE 2010,
although they would be very welcome! If you know of one, please tell us!
Colorale is the name of a range launched in May 1950. The model came in numerous versions: estate,
pick-up, van, chassis cab, savannah and seven-seater taxi, which could all be fitted with 4WD.
Renault Colorale Pick-up
Year of production - 1950
Dimensions:
Length: 4.35m
Width: 1.82 m
Height: 2.12m

We do, however, expect a few

Scenics like this 2004 model.

Interested?
RSAE is only a few weeks away, so PLEASE register straight away. Please complete a
Registration Form and send it to us as soon as possible. If you are interested in RSAE
2010 and want more information, please get in touch.
Also, determine your work/holiday plans & make your accommodation bookings early.
It may help to keep an eye on the various forums, including:
http://renaultinaus.17.forumer.com/

To provide everyone with regular updates and Newsletters

on RSAE 2010, we need your name and email address!!
Questions?
Contact us at ‘enquiry@renaultclubqld.com.au’ or telephone Ian Both (07) 3279 0509 or
Phil Harrison (0419 885513).

RSAE 2010 - the best RENAULT event in

Australia ever. , PLEASE bring it to Australia soon!