It used to be that I thought too much was always a good thing…

now?…not so much

As you know i drive a Clio RS, the 182 version, it has some tweaks because I like tweaking.

It puts a smile on my face every time I drive it and that smile last for long time after I turn the ignition off.

It corners like it’s on rails (especially with the tires now on it), runs about 170Whp and sounds awesome (the neighbours tend to disagree)

But like anyone with 5W40 in his veins I want more…

More of what?

Power!……everyones mousetrap, with more power this car would be better, this applies universally to every car right?……..Right?

Grip!…. “I need more grip because (fill in blank)”

I seem to have forgotten a lesson from an automotive legend :

“Simplify, then add lightness”

Colin Chapman

This is couldn’t be further from the “more is better” philosophy

applying both philosophies to my car, what would happen?

With more is better, I’d move the limits of the car to a higher plane, making them harder (and more unsafe) to reach.

Simplifying and adding lightness? not sure on how to simplify my car, but adding lightness would do me a treat.

After driving a friend’s car (same model) which was at least 100Kg lighter I was amazed at how alive it felt, steering response was quicker, braking felt better and acceleration much improved.

So next time you’re thinking about more of anything related to your car…have a good look at that back seat……do you REALLY need that?

to finish off, one more quote from the legend:

 

“Adding power makes you faster on the straights; subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere”

Colin Chapman