Re: Finally the RCZR had a nice run out on some proper roads
So this was the route taken, with a few minor changes to the start and finish and middle, I still went through
Crickhowell so that's the same.
http://www.viamichelin.co.uk/web/Ro...1.6&autoConso=6.8&villeConso=6&routeConso=5.6
The first part of the journey to one of my friends houses was quite steady, pretty much Motorway until hitting
Wales and then it was dual carridgeway, still the RCZ R did this with ease and pulled a steady 43-44mpg.
There are some nice country roads leading to their house but really it was only a few miles so not really worth
talking about.
Having then stayed over night and found that one of the cats decided my rear arch would make a nice scratching
pad (not happy, must get the cutting polish out and the buffer, should come out ok), I needed to make the trip
down towards Slough (for my sins).
The Sat Nav estimated this at around 6.25hrs and even though it wasn't the shortest or quickest, it was the more
interesting route.
Still not having topped the R up from part "A" of the journey, about 1/4 of a tank used up and an estimated 330
miles left in there, I decided to ensure there was atleast 1 Shell garage on the trip, hence off towards
Crickhowell.
The trip through Caernarfon and off towards Porthmadog was where most of the traffic was, it wasn't really until
after getting through Porthmadog that the roads changed into what can only be described as decent driving roads.
The countryside down the A470 is stunning, the R was right at home with the undulating roads, one of the major
issues that people thought the RCZ R would have on the initial test drives in France was that the suspension
would be too hard for the roads we have over here, well no, it really is perfect for them, the R had no issues
with the bumps and corners, the sticky Goodyear Eagles were confident inspiring and provided fantastic grip.
The brakes too had no difficulty or had any need to be worked too hard, some of this was down to traffic, once
passed though the roads were clear for several miles before meeting other vehicles. There were limited over
taking area's, the need for a straight road is a bit of a must as there were plenty of bikers out on Sunday and
they liked the open roads also, so clear, straight, 3rd gear and off with the fantastic sound of the engine as
you go above 5k rpm, its race type tone is very addictive and you just keep changing gear, the one thing you
don't notice is how quick you actually are going, its just change, change, change, oh brake a touch, the power
delivery is so linear that you have to keep an eye on the speedo, that combined with the engine note and it
could get you into trouble with the law.
Even with the bursts of accelleration the R was still pushing 40mpg, up and down hills (though most of it seemed
to be more in valley bottoms than top of hills) and the fact you don't need to be on the power all the time,
like say my old Subaru STI, made the drive even more enjoyable.
It would have been nice to put some footage up as Mrizzle pointed out, I am looking at a dash cam, but what
really did I find out about the R?
Well you just cannot believe it's a 1.6ltr engine, it's power band gives you enough umph to move you along
happily, though it loves to be revved, its not as lazy as some of the bigger engines you get but that is half
the fun, and the sound... amazing.
Then you have the brakes, my initial thoughts are that the pads feel a little lacking, the trouble is that I
didn't need to use them that hard, if I did then I probably wouldn't be complaining, still....
Then the steering, it really isn't bad, you turn it, the car turns, one thing that has been pointed out is the
comparison between the Megane RS and the RCZR, the Megane turns in better and is a better handling car, well I
don't think that is true, the R turns in when she needs to, I know as I mistimed a right then left over a
bridge, she turned in plenty quick enough there without getting out of shape.
What I do feel is that the steering is a little lacking feel on initial turn in, not a lot and you get use to
it but just for a gentle turn you know the car is turning but you just don't feel enough feedback from it, maybe
its because its Electrically Assisted Power Steering, the rest of the time I found it great, especially on the left, right, left type corners, flowing motions gave good feedback.
At the 299/300 mile mark (Crickhowell) I topped up with some more V power, having been sat (with the exception of a comfort break), I felt amazingly refreshed getting out of the seat, having slept on a hard mat on the floor the night before my back had a couple of aches before setting off, it felt good now. On the last part of the journey, the trip computer was showing 193 miles left in the tank with around 160 miles left to go, it was possible to do this but better safe than sorry, so just over 32 litres added and off on the rest of the trip, most of this was the M4 so only people rubber necking at accidents slowed me down.
Totally impressed with the R, I can only describe her as a flawed gem, the RCZ R isnt perfect but like anything its those imperfections that make it more fun to be with, I think my next adventure will have to be around those nice Scottish Highland roads and may involve a bit of camping, I shall have to see as I am a busy bunny up to Christmas and I don't want to do camping in winter in Scotland (oh well, may need a Hotel then).
Tony
