So in 2019 a few things happened, bought a house, sold the ISF as the cash would come in handy, bought a nugget Echo Sportivo (a slight downgrade) to buzz around in while I looked for something else
That something else turned out to be a French hot hatch, not something I saw coming really as I didn't even know these things existed
Not too many around, I think they sold less than 400 in 4 years, there usually only a couple on Carsales at any one time
Until I bother to clean it up and take some decent pics, heres some internet ones, it looks exactly like this anyway
Its a pre-2018 model so doesnt have the updated front end which looks nicer but ive removed the chrome grille surround to paint satin black like the updated version, it looks way better. Pics to follow. Other than the front, the update got various safety nanny systems which I dont particularly care about and mechanically its identical so was happy to save the $5000-$8000 over a newer car, especially as this one had only 26k kays on the clock.
It uses an evolution of the 1.6L 4cyl turbo engine that was originally in Mini's, BMW's ? and earlier Peugeots like the RCZ-R. Runs DI and 20-something pounds of boost to make 200kw, alarm bells would ring at this point but being a long-running powerplant its pretty well-refined, early issues they had 10 years ago are sorted as far as i can tell and it now has a strengthened block, Mahle forged pistons and rods, etc so should be a good thing - and it is
Wasn't sure what to expect being fully in the Japanese car camp, but I was sold on the first test drive - the thing pulls like a freight train right from low rpm and is entertainingly traction-limited. Would be pointless if it wasn't for the stock Torsen LSD and Michelin PSS which do a reasonable job in most circumstances but it will turn the Michelins to smoke in the first 3 gears if you bury your foot and the conditions are right!
The brakes are ridiculous, 380mm rotor 4-pot Alcons on a 1200kg car I thought was just a gimmick but they do actually have the performance and pedal feel that I can only equate to my old track car, so its not all show. They leave the ISF Brembos for dead. However im sure two-part rotors with no generic replacements means i'll be getting nicely lubed up when it comes time to replace them.
That something else turned out to be a French hot hatch, not something I saw coming really as I didn't even know these things existed
Not too many around, I think they sold less than 400 in 4 years, there usually only a couple on Carsales at any one time
Until I bother to clean it up and take some decent pics, heres some internet ones, it looks exactly like this anyway
Its a pre-2018 model so doesnt have the updated front end which looks nicer but ive removed the chrome grille surround to paint satin black like the updated version, it looks way better. Pics to follow. Other than the front, the update got various safety nanny systems which I dont particularly care about and mechanically its identical so was happy to save the $5000-$8000 over a newer car, especially as this one had only 26k kays on the clock.
It uses an evolution of the 1.6L 4cyl turbo engine that was originally in Mini's, BMW's ? and earlier Peugeots like the RCZ-R. Runs DI and 20-something pounds of boost to make 200kw, alarm bells would ring at this point but being a long-running powerplant its pretty well-refined, early issues they had 10 years ago are sorted as far as i can tell and it now has a strengthened block, Mahle forged pistons and rods, etc so should be a good thing - and it is
Wasn't sure what to expect being fully in the Japanese car camp, but I was sold on the first test drive - the thing pulls like a freight train right from low rpm and is entertainingly traction-limited. Would be pointless if it wasn't for the stock Torsen LSD and Michelin PSS which do a reasonable job in most circumstances but it will turn the Michelins to smoke in the first 3 gears if you bury your foot and the conditions are right!
The brakes are ridiculous, 380mm rotor 4-pot Alcons on a 1200kg car I thought was just a gimmick but they do actually have the performance and pedal feel that I can only equate to my old track car, so its not all show. They leave the ISF Brembos for dead. However im sure two-part rotors with no generic replacements means i'll be getting nicely lubed up when it comes time to replace them.
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