Behold the Babette! Renault Clio 172 exclusive

[320touring]

This is the good lady's daily driver- a 2001 Clio 172 exclusive.

For those who don't know, a 172 has a 2.0 16v 4cyl with variable valve tech, giving 172 brake through a 5spd manual trans, all in a 950kg 3dr box.

It runs 3000rpm at 70 in 5th, and gives circa 42+ (imp)mpg on a run, and 0-60 in 7 secs

It'll not be getting modded, as its a limited edition, but its fun to try for 400+miles from 50 L

[MetroMPG]

It looks to be sitting pretty low. That counts as an ecomod.

[AndrzejM]

You can always go for "stealth" mods

[320touring]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

It looks to be sitting pretty low. That counts as an ecomod.

Alas, that'll be reset to factory- the ride is a bit crashy, and the dampers are past their best..

Being so short and a hatchback means a Cd of 0.35, so its never going to be great. The light weight helps though, as does the variable valve tech- plenty low down grunt for a 16v- can pull 30mph in 5th

Originally Posted by AndrzejM

You can always go for "stealth" mods

tyres are at 35psi all round (40psi was too harsh a ride-may change after suspension refreshed)

best bit has been adjusting the nut behind the wheel- just got a txt off the good lady, after she ran me to work and went home..it read "44.7"

that means that the tank average for current tank is circa 42mpg (the OBC is a touch optimistic)

[320touring]

Just to give you an idea of how small Babette is, here she is next to a VW Up!...

[IMG][/IMG]

[320touring]

Quick update on this little car,

Over the last 7168 miles, the average has been 37.83mpg (imp) with a low of 33.72.

MPG's are usually higher when I'm driving- but my more gentle style tends to put the CEL on (usually showing as the Lambda being out of range). I consider this a "leanburn light"

Last weekend she got stock rear suspension fitted, making the ride noticeably more compliant, and allowing for 40psi all round on the tyres.

Lo, and behold on my commute last week she gave 409 miles for 42.27L= 44.02mpg (imp)


Cracking news- so much so, I have her again this week and I'm hoping for another 40+ tank

[chefdave]

Hvery nice car but gearing seems to be very low. my old alfa146 ti fitted with 2 litre twin cam 16 valve and variable intake length. a flap alfa added to engine to give flat power curve reved at 3000 rpm at 70mph and that was consided very short gearing. on aftermarket everyone who would tune alfas would recomend changing 5th gear of higher gearing. use to get 33mpg average sometimes alot lower if idiot wanted a race. now i'm older thats all changed. so if renault make a gearbox with higher ratios in it and bolts staight on why swap box and keep orginal to refit at sale time. cannot be any worse than swaping volvo v40 1.9 (renault) gearbox. took two days in sub zero temps on the drive at 2am. luckly no neighbours near by. you have to unbolt engine to allow it to drop 3" to get box out. lol

[320touring]

Originally Posted by chefdave

Hvery nice car but gearing seems to be very low. my old alfa146 ti fitted with 2 litre twin cam 16 valve and variable intake length. a flap alfa added to engine to give flat power curve reved at 3000 rpm at 70mph and that was consided very short gearing. on aftermarket everyone who would tune alfas would recomend changing 5th gear of higher gearing. use to get 33mpg average sometimes alot lower if idiot wanted a race. now i'm older thats all changed. so if renault make a gearbox with higher ratios in it and bolts staight on why swap box and keep orginal to refit at sale time. cannot be any worse than swaping volvo v40 1.9 (renault) gearbox. took two days in sub zero temps on the drive at 2am. luckly no neighbours near by. you have to unbolt engine to allow it to drop 3" to get box out. lol

Having read back the first post I see I made a mistake- double checked this morning on the way into work

3000rpm= 70mph

2500rpm= 60mpg

so its geared a bit better than I initially stated. Have amended the first post, and thankfully no need to replace the box

[chefdave]

Hi
sorry if i picked up on your mistake no malice meant :-) enjoy your williams 172 wrieups say it a stunning motor.

[320touring]

Originally Posted by chefdave

Hi
sorry if i picked up on your mistake no malice meant :-) enjoy your williams 172 wrieups say it a stunning motor.

I was glad of the proofreading

Alas, she's not a Williams, just a RenaultSport.

Williams are too expensive and much less good at crash safety- plus the good lady wanted one of these- who am I to argue