This car features a 2.0 liter DOHC inline-4 engine with electronic fuel injection and 4 valves per cylinder. This is mated to a 5-speed. The Clio is front-wheel drive. Anybody shocked? Didn't think so.
Well the first surprise comes AFTER we buy the Clio 16v in this game, and take it to the infamous Test Track. Okay, so the manufacturer quotes a healthy 171 HP. Okay, not bad. But when we test it, we find out that it REALLY only has 108. This is the GT2 version I'm talking about, not the one in GT4. Anyways, that's a difference of 63 horses! Merde!!!
When testing the Clio 16v (which hit 0-60 mph in 11.4 seconds, 0-100 in about 34) you know the tested figure (108 horses) is the accurate one! Top speed is 126.8 mph, with the engine revving at only 5,800 rpm, even though the red-line is 7,000. This is the classic indication of poor high-end torque, but it doesn't help that the Clio's face probably has a somewhat high drag coefficient.
For any of you who have bought a Clîo in GT2 (not the Clio Sport V6, I'm talking about the one with the 4-cylinder engine costing $22,380) you have my sympathy. This difference in quoted versus test figures is the largest error I've yet seen in any Gran Turismo 2 vehicle. If I were buying one of these in real life I'd be pissed, man!
So the solution is to go and buy some engine upgrades, right? Now here's shock #2!
I went and got the ROM computer and port polishing...engine balancing would have to wait till I won more money/races. Then I went to get a turbo. Hmmm...no turbo. Okay, so let's check out the NA tuning. No normal-aspirated tuning either!?? What the hell? Now just who was responsible for THIS goof?!!! When comparing the Clio to other European hatchbacks, this lack up upgrades really seems out of place. Want to mod a Peugeot 106? A Citroën Saxo? An Italian Lancia Y??? It can be done. But the Clio 16v has been oddly forgotten...just another casualty in GT2's long, long list of mistakes.
Gearing is tall, especially that all-important 2nd to 3rd shift-up. It's recommended to get the close ratio gearbox, as well as a lighter flywheel for flat courses, and single-plate clutch. Actually, to be honest, don't get any of this stuff. This is one of those cars that you should really steer clear of, unless you don't care much about engine upgrades. Or winning.
The Clio understeers like most any FF car will do, oversteer is rare and controllable. The car's stock tires do okay for easier races, and you might find you'll need sport tires eventually--but you'll never win the Sunday Cup series in a 16v, the engine is too frickin' weak. Any other concerns?
The Clio 16v is also too slow to compete in the FF Challenge and most B license races. It's too over-powered to enter two of the K Cup races! Needless to say: you'll never need racing slicks, and in my opinion you won't really need to spend money on sports, either.
Getting suspension upgrades is possible, but since the car's never gonna win more than a couple races, anything past the easily-bought sports package is a waste. I can also say we'll never need to spend a cent on brake upgrades.
