Renault has confirmed its new Clio R.S. will come with three different types of chassis - giving customers the opportunity to ‘tailor-build’ their own Clio R.S.
Available with a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine, with a choice of two power outputs (200hp and 220hp on the Trophy version), the powerplant is mated to six-speed EDC dual-clutch automatic transmission with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifts.
The three options available are: A ‘Sport’ chassis with 17- or 18-inch wheels, a strengthened ‘Cup’ chassis with 18-inch wheels, providing a blend of road and circuit driving characteristics and finally the ‘Trophy’ chassis with 18-inch wheels, lowered by 20mm at the front and 10mm at the rear to place the focus firmly on driving pleasure, says Renault.
The Trophy version can be specified with an exclusive exhaust system inspired by the Clio R.S.16 concept car and developed in tandem with specialist Akrapovič, which imbues the engine with an instantly recognisable sound and 'ensures sprightly acceleration'.
The 200hp engine is available with the Sport and Cup chassis, while the 220hp unit can be chosen for the Trophy models - and offers a 0-62mph time of 6.6 seconds and a top speed of 146mph.
The Clio R.S. comes with Launch Control, an R.S. Drive system which enables a choice of three driving modes (Normal, Sport and Race), the R.S. Monitor application and hydraulic compression bump stops developed by Renault Sport for rallying. A model-specific, broad front bumper is completed by LED multi-faceted lighting, called R.S. Vision. This technology, initially seen on the Clio R.S.16 concept car, co-ordinates the vehicle’s fog lights, cornering lights, side lights and dipped and main beams to enhance night-time visibility.
Running on new 18-inch wheels and featuring R.S specific sills, at the rear there is a spoiler, functional diffuser and twin exhaust tail pipes. The Renault Sport (R.S.) logo appears underneath the Renault badge at the front of the car, on the wheels and at the rear.
A GT Line look pack is also available for the standard Clio, equipped with Dark Metal air scoops in the front bumper along with lateral sills (like the Clio R.S.), it adds 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.
“The new Clio R.S. offers the full spectrum of Renault Sport technology for immediate driving pleasure. At launch, each customer will be able to choose from three types of chassis and two power outputs. The model also inaugurates the highly efficient and innovative R.S. VISION lighting system, Renault Sport’s exclusive lighting signature” commented Patrice Ratti, CEO Renault Sport Cars.
The new Renault Clio and Clio R.S. are available to order sale in the UK from September with first customer deliveries from the autumn.