Alfie the Competizione

Kazumz

Kazumz

Hello all! Long time no post!

As some of you are aware, I sold Gordan little more than a month ago now. It was a gem of a Clio 200, but after many many many trips to specialists and the local garage, I gave up and decided that while RenaultSport make absolutely fantastic handling cars, the parts are so-so; leading to many problems down the line (this is my opinion).

After Thorpe Park one Saturday, I decided to visit an Abarth dealer in Pewsham, Chippenham. Initially they offered me a fairly high monthly payment to which I simply walked away but after much bartering, even turning two dealers against eachother to achieve the best rate, I caved in and signed the paperwork for a Abarth 595 180 Competizione (Black Sabelt Trim).

So, instead of selling Gordan privately, they offered me a great price on trade-in due to the stacks of paper work I provided, it was simply easier.

About 20 days in to ownership, I arranged a meet for Breacon Beacons / Black Mountains, a run I've previously taken with many Forum members from here!

The car performed unbelievable well. As you'd imagine with the same power, more torque and a lighter vehicle, it completely outclassed my old Clio through and through in nearly every way apart from noise!

In total, on the run, there were the following vehicles:
Clio 197
Golf GTI (2.0T, mapped to 230-240)
FN2 Civic Type R
My own Abarth 595 180

All in all, I pulled away from every single vehicle on the run, without fail. After each corner, I'd pull further and further away from them all; fantastic fun! (Apart from the Golf in a straight line)

After 300 miles, burning brakes and many stops, we called it a day and I headed back to South Wales, then on to Wiltshire once more.

At the moment, I'm simply commuting to work, but I cannot wait to get on anothe run again!

Thanks for reading, pictures pending!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jimmy and DS197
Kazumz said:
Hello all! Long time no post!

As some of you are aware, I sold Gordan little more than a month ago now. It was a gem of a Clio 200, but after many many many trips to specialists and the local garage, I gave up and decided that while RenaultSport make absolutely fantastic handling cars, the parts are so-so; leading to many problems down the line (this is my opinion).

After Thorpe Park one Saturday, I decided to visit an Abarth dealer in Pewsham, Chippenham. Initially they offered me a fairly high monthly payment to which I simply walked away but after much bartering, even turning two dealers against eachother to achieve the best rate, I caved in and signed the paperwork for a Abarth 595 180 Competizione (Black Sabelt Trim).

So, instead of selling Gordan privately, they offered me a great price on trade-in due to the stacks of paper work I provided, it was simply easier.

About 20 days in to ownership, I arranged a meet for Breacon Beacons / Black Mountains, a run I've previously taken with many Forum members from here!

The car performed unbelievable well. As you'd imagine with the same power, more torque and a lighter vehicle, it completely outclassed my old Clio through and through in nearly every way apart from noise!

In total, on the run, there were the following vehicles:
Clio 197
Golf GTI (2.0T, mapped to 230-240)
FN2 Civic Type R
My own Abarth 595 180

All in all, I pulled away from every single vehicle on the run, without fail. After each corner, I'd pull further and further away from them all; fantastic fun! (Apart from the Golf in a straight line)

After 300 miles, burning brakes and many stops, we called it a day and I headed back to South Wales, then on to Wiltshire once more.

At the moment, I'm simply commuting to work, but I cannot wait to get on anothe run again!

Thanks for reading, pictures pending!
Click to expand...
I was not there LOL
 
Kazumz said:
Could you expand more? They are a hoot, definately!
Click to expand...
From what I've read the suspension is underdeveloped & the car never really settles on bumpy roads, skipping from bump to bump. If I recall correctly Tom Ford said he'd love one for six months, but his back couldn't take any longer, or words to that effect. Also heard that the turbo lag is quite pronounced. This is not personal experience though, just what I've read. I love Italian cars & I'd definitely consider one. Small cars are what Fiat/Abarth do so well. I'm surprised you are unimpreseed by the sound as the clips I've heard online sound great!
 
Johnny 99 said:
From what I've read the suspension is underdeveloped & the car never really settles on bumpy roads, skipping from bump to bump. If I recall correctly Tom Ford said he'd love one for six months, but his back couldn't take any longer, or words to that effect. Also heard that the turbo lag is quite pronounced. This is not personal experience though, just what I've read. I love Italian cars & I'd definitely consider one. Small cars are what Fiat/Abarth do so well. I'm surprised you are unimpreseed by the sound as the clips I've heard online sound great!
Click to expand...

I think they've addressed the stiffness with a mechanical valve that causes the dampers to soften when going over bumpy roads, but stiffens when performing fast road / racing.

I'm certainly not experiencing that at all, the car feels mega stable; abeit a little mental on the brakes, the rear end loves to attempt to get to the front.

My back with the Sabelts have certainly taken a hit! I had subtle back ache after a straight 300 mile run, but I'm not experiencing it anymore, I seem to be getting used to it.

As for the turbo lag, It's a Garrett 1446 Turbo as far as I know, it'll start to spool at 2,000, fully spooled at 2,800. It's mental, it'll rip you out of the corners, next to no lag when above 3,000.

It certainly does have Italian heritage and it certainly feels like it!

Ah, with the sound, I didn't say I'm unimpressed, but the Clio with a Scorpion Exhaust is even more mental. The Abarth has an insane amount of grunt to it and you can physically hear the turbo whistle and spool at low RPM. The Clio was insane above 5,000 RPM, quite something!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Johnny 99 and nutnutwelshman
Kazumz said:
I think they've addressed the stiffness with a mechanical valve that causes the dampers to soften when going over bumpy roads, but stiffens when performing fast road / racing.

I'm certainly not experiencing that at all, the car feels mega stable; abeit a little mental on the brakes, the rear end loves to attempt to get to the front.

My back with the Sabelts have certainly taken a hit! I had subtle back ache after a straight 300 mile run, but I'm not experiencing it anymore, I seem to be getting used to it.

As for the turbo lag, It's a Garrett 1446 Turbo as far as I know, it'll start to spool at 2,000, fully spooled at 2,800. It's mental, it'll rip you out of the corners, next to no lag when above 3,000.

It certainly does have Italian heritage and it certainly feels like it!

Ah, with the sound, I didn't say I'm unimpressed, but the Clio with a Scorpion Exhaust is even more mental. The Abarth has an insane amount of grunt to it and you can physically hear the turbo whistle and spool at low RPM. The Clio was insane above 5,000 RPM, quite something!
Click to expand...
I love my 220 especially round my playground very stable at 120 though Blanchimont
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kazumz
Kazumz said:
I think they've addressed the stiffness with a mechanical valve that causes the dampers to soften when going over bumpy roads, but stiffens when performing fast road / racing.

I'm certainly not experiencing that at all, the car feels mega stable; abeit a little mental on the brakes, the rear end loves to attempt to get to the front.

My back with the Sabelts have certainly taken a hit! I had subtle back ache after a straight 300 mile run, but I'm not experiencing it anymore, I seem to be getting used to it.

As for the turbo lag, It's a Garrett 1446 Turbo as far as I know, it'll start to spool at 2,000, fully spooled at 2,800. It's mental, it'll rip you out of the corners, next to no lag when above 3,000.

It certainly does have Italian heritage and it certainly feels like it!

Ah, with the sound, I didn't say I'm unimpressed, but the Clio with a Scorpion Exhaust is even more mental. The Abarth has an insane amount of grunt to it and you can physically hear the turbo whistle and spool at low RPM. The Clio was insane above 5,000 RPM, quite something!
Click to expand...
I'm glad you're happy & a tad envious! Enjoy.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kazumz
I had a 500 abarth about 3 years ago, great little cars had mine remapped it was an absolute giggle though fair play to you.
 
kevlar said:
I had a 500 abarth about 3 years ago, great little cars had mine remapped it was an absolute giggle though fair play to you.
Click to expand...
Thanks bud and as for engine modifications I've got to stay away! I don't want my insurance going up, was another reason for the swap, I'm only paying 450 a year now fully comp 12 months! The Clio was 800!

Another reason is I'm covered with GAP insurance now, wouldn't have bought a new car without it. Nail biting depreciation!

I have looked and with a front mounted intercooler and intake, it can hit around the 210 220 mark! I can only dream eh.

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk
 
Kazumz said:
Thanks bud and as for engine modifications I've got to stay away! I don't want my insurance going up, was another reason for the swap, I'm only paying 450 a year now fully comp 12 months! The Clio was 800!

Another reason is I'm covered with GAP insurance now, wouldn't have bought a new car without it. Nail biting depreciation!

I have looked and with a front mounted intercooler and intake, it can hit around the 210 220 mark! I can only dream eh.

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Mine was mapped to about 190 - absolute hoot, kind of miss that little engine tbh I did look at buying another one when I started looking for my clio, but I have to be honest its a bit of a marmite car even though I owned one im not 100% on the looks.

Gap insurance all the way for what it costs its a no brainer.
 
kevlar said:
Mine was mapped to about 190 - absolute hoot, kind of miss that little engine tbh I did look at buying another one when I started looking for my clio, but I have to be honest its a bit of a marmite car even though I owned one im not 100% on the looks.

Gap insurance all the way for what it costs its a no brainer.
Click to expand...
I agree about the looks, they're defiantly marmite! There was no other alternative on the market at that price though. Lightweight, small engined, turbo hot hatch.

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom