Renault Clio Renaultsport (2013 – 2019) Review

September 2012

Renault Clio Renaultsport revealed

Has the same 200PS power output as the old car, but this now comes from a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine . It produces 25Nm more torque than the old engine and it’s available across a broader rev-range – from 1750rpm to 5600rpm.

The new gearbox is an EDC dual-clutch rather than a traditional six-speed manual. It has steering column mounted paddles so drivers can still take control of gear shifts. In ‘Race’ mode, shifts take 150 milliseconds. This gearbox, combined with a smaller engine, means efficiency is improved.

As with the outgoing model there’s bolder styling inside and out and there are both Sport and Cup chassis, the latter of which is stiffer and tuned for track day enthusiasts. Buyers can also configure their car more comprehensively than before care of new customisation options.

Under its five-door bodyshell, New Clio Renaultsport 200 Turbo packs the new Renaultsport-developed 200hp, 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine, as well as its performance arm’s first EDC (Efficient Dual Clutch) transmission.

The standard 17-inch ‘Renaultsport’ alloy wheels can be upgraded for optional Gloss Black or anthracite ‘Renaultsport’ 18-inch wheels.

The anthracite gearshift paddles are fixed behind the steering wheel, while the grey instrument backgrounds are specific to Clio Renaultsport 200 Turbo. When the engine is fired up, the rev-counter and fuel gauge needles come to life with a fun display.

The combination of the 1.6 turbocharged petrol engine and twin-clutch six-speed gearbox is unique to New Clio Renaultsport 200 Turbo. Its 200 horsepower and 240Nm of torque can be fully exploited via perfectly matched gear ratios that can be selected automatically or manually.

The New Clio Renaultsport 200 Turbo is 36kg lighter than its predecessor, and even with its hallmark versatility, it retains startling performance when judged against the stopwatch: the 0-62 mph sprint takes just 6.7 seconds, it can cover 1,000 metres in only 27.1 seconds from a standing start and on a racetrack it is capable of reaching a top speed of 143 mph.

The R.S. Diff has a number of advantages, not least that drivers do not become frustrated by sudden torque restrictions. The system is very progressive and is barely perceptible during deployment.

As with all Renaultsport models, the New Clio Renaultsport 200 Turbo is available with a choice of two chassis. The optional Cup chassis is tailored for even greater performance: it is 3mm lower, 15 per cent stiffer and benefits from a quicker steering rack.

As two cars in one, New Clio Renaultsport 200 Turbo boasts a package of unprecedented innovations for its segment. For everyday use, in ‘Normal’ mode, it delivers all the qualities expected of a Clio, namely a supple ride, a high level of travelling comfort and low running costs. But switch to the more dynamic ‘Sport’ or ‘Race’ modes, and its unmistakable sporty characteristics become apparent at once.

March 2013

UK prices confirmed

Clio Renaultsport 200 Turbo EDC (£18,995) and Lux (£19,995)

March 2015

Clio RenaultSport 220 Trophy launched

The Clio Renaultsport 220 Trophy is on sale from summer 2015 and offers enhancements including increased power and torque with Stop & Start technology and reduced CO2 emissions. A refined EDC transmission, quicker steering, a lower and stiffer chassis and upgraded tyres make Renault’s hot hatch even hotter.

Thanks to revised engine mapping, the 220 Trophy now has 10 per cent more power and up to an extra 40Nm of torque. It also benefits from a larger turbo, an air intake designed to minimise pressure losses and a revised exhaust system to accommodate the latest Euro6 catalytic converter (and minimise back pressure losses).

The Trophy is lower by 20mm at the front, 10mm at the rear. Firmer shock absorbers, and revised springs (40 per cent stiffer at the rear), have been fitted and are coupled to the existing motorsport-derived hydraulic bump stops.

The Clio Renaultsport 220 Trophy EDC is fitted with 18-inch ‘Radical’ wheels with black inserts and diamond-effect facings and high-performance Michelin Pilot Super Sport 205/40R18 tyres. Priced at £21,780.

July 2016

New Clio R.S 220 and GT-Line launched

The New Clio R.S. 200 EDC, Clio R.S. 220 Trophy and new GT-Line look pack incorporate the advances offered by the New Clio and further enhance that package by drawing on Renault Sport’s wealth of knowledge and expertise.

The New Clio R.S. is available with a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a choice of two power outputs (200hp and 220hp on the Trophy version), mated to six-speed EDC dual-clutch automatic transmission with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifts.

The 200PS powerplant is available with the Sport and Cup chassis, while the 220hp unit can be selected for the Trophy variants. The 220hp Trophy version is capable of out-performing all other sporty vehicles in its class, taking just 6.6 seconds to sprint from 0-62mph, 14.5 seconds to cover 400m from a standing start and going on to reach a top speed of 146mph.

With the GT Line look pack, the new Clio takes on a sporty look with forceful features that immediately set it apart. The New Clio with the GT Line look pack is equipped with Dark Metal air scoops in the front bumper along with lateral sills (like the Clio R.S.), uniquely designed 16- or 17-inch wheels, as well as an exclusive exhaust with a chrome tail pipe and a Dark Metal rear bumper panel.

August 2017

Clio Renault Sport Black Edition launched

It is available on the Clio Renault Sport 220 Trophy, priced at £200 or on the Clio Renault Sport 200 for £350.

The New Clio Renault Sport 220 Trophy Black Edition adds black gloss door handles, black gloss moulding inserts, black gloss side mouldings, black gloss front blade, black gloss tailgate moulding and badging plus a black gloss rear diffuser.

The New Clio Renault Sport 200 Black Edition gains 17-inch black Renault Sport alloy wheels, black gloss door handles, black gloss side mouldings, black gloss front blade, black gloss tailgate moulding and badging plus a black gloss rear diffuser.

February 2018

Renault reduces warranty from four years to three years

Renault models ordered and registered from 1 February 2018 are covered by a warranty package for up to three years from date of first registration. The first two years unlimited mileage, followed by a further one year limited to a total mileage of 60,000 (100,000 miles for Koleos, Zoe and LCV vehicles). Models registered up to and including 31 January 2018 are still covered by a four-year warranty package. The first two years unlimited mileage and the third and fourth years are limited to 100,000 miles.

May 2018

Renault Clio Renaultsport 18 went on sale

Priced in the UK at £24,295 OTR. The Clio R.S.18 is inspired by this year’s Renault Sport Racing Formula One Team racecar of the same name and has a distinctive black theme with hallmark Renault Sport Liquid Yellow highlights. Based on the Clio R.S. 220 Trophy.

Deep Black and Liquid Yellow colour scheme. Renault diamond, R.S. logo and rear diffuser all finished entirely in Black Gloss. R.S.18 diamond decals on the front doors relate to R.S.18 Renault Sport Racing Formula One Team car. Liquid Yellow detailing on the front blade, protective side mouldings and wheel centre caps. Numbered kick plate. Alcantara and leather-trimmed steering wheel and carbon fibre-effect air vent surrounds. Renault Sport-branded carpet mats also standard. Akrapovič sports exhaust is standard. Same 1.6-litre 220hp engine with six-speed Efficient Dual Clutch (EDC) automatic transmissionengine as Clio R.S. 220 Trophy.

December 2019

5-Year 100,000 Mile Warranty announced

on all New Clio models. The five-year warranty applies to both retail and fleet cars and features an unlimited mileage limit during the first two years and up to 100,000 miles up to 5 years old. For more information visit: www.renault.co.uk