Exactly. Worn camshaft and possibly restricting catalytic converter (I've got cheap aftermarket item at the moment) surely limit the power. That said, it won't be a rocket with full 100 hp either. To make good progress you need to keep the engine screaming, if you choose too long gear it's over.
While I understand people putting build up 1.6 16V engines from 106 GTi into Rallyes, I won't be doing that. It's meant to be underpowered, you have to work out the full potential of the chassis to make it fly. You won't catch lost seconds with raw power.
Like Posmo said, it does go sideways very easily. At full throttle it's very close to neutral, so even tiny throttle changes affect the balance. You choose the angle of attack by adjusting the amount and the speed which you lift off. Car starts to turn in, then you just wait for the desired angle before applying power. Strangest thing is, it doesn't feel like you're loosing control at all. Everything happens in slow motion. And thanks to low weight, it responds to your requests very willingly.
I've driven plenty of modern hot hatches, 308 GTis, Seat Leon Cupras, Civic Type Rs, Golf GTI Performances etc, but none of them have the playfulness of the 106. All of them are great and extremely quick cars when driven properly, but you have to demand oversteer from them. In the 106 it just seems to happen, it's so balanced.
With twice the power it would be really fast and agile. I guess it would then be called the Renaultsport Clio 182 :lol: