Box Autos

On the back of significant acclaim for New Clio, Renault’s now laying down the gauntlet to the “hot” supermini brigade with confirmation of the latest details for the New Clio Renaultsport 200 Turbo.

The new model takes things onto a whole new level, both in terms of overall driver appeal and being able to enjoy every day. Under its sleek 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.

Naturally, there is a liberal sprinkling of Renaultsport’s magic, including a few tricks learned from its motor sport success. Combine this with Renault’s very latest thinking when it comes to comfort and versatility, and you have a compelling car which is great to drive and easy to live with. But, when the mood takes them, drivers can also let it off its leash to become a genuine performance car, as well as a potent trackday car.

In addition to its sensuous styling, the new Clio Renaultsport 200 Turbo combines class-leading dynamics with impressively reduced fuel consumption and emissions, down by almost a quarter, so that it’s even cheaper to own. Designed and engineered by Renaultsport, the latest in a long line of iconic hot Clios is made in Dieppe, France, and targets those who appreciate beautiful cars and exacting purists alike.

“New Clio Renaultsport 200 Turbo joins the Renault Clio line-up at the very top, not only because of its performance potential, but also because of its exclusive appointments and specification. In addition to being ideally suited to everyday motoring, It impresses by the fact that it is so easy to drive, as well as by its unprecedented comfort and low fuel consumption which make it a more versatile machine than any other sporting Clio that has gone before it.”
Ali Kassaï (Programme Vice-President – A/B Range, Renault)

It is obviously tempting to describe New Clio Renaultsport 200 Turbo as the ‘flagship’ Clio. Needless to say, our purist customers – who have always been uncompromising when it comes to performance – will discover a car that is not only extremely fast, but also a thrill to drive and packed with unrivalled technical innovations. Indeed, Renault Sport Technologies has succeeded in bringing to life all the know-how it has gained in motor sport during the last decades in the design of New Clio Renaultsport 200 Turbo. It is a genuine Renaultsport model.”

At the same time, our more pragmatic customers who are drawn by its look, but who tend to be wary of ‘radical’ cars, also promise to be won over very quickly. The settings of New Clio Renaultsport 200 Turbo can be adjusted to deliver exceptional performance when required, or a more rational ride the rest of the time. In this market, where the quest for ‘high-end’ motoring enjoyment goes hand-in-hand with the search for performance, proposing two cars in one is a highly innovative approach.”

SPORTING CUES REVISITED BY RENAULT SPORT TECHNOLOGIES

New Clio Renaultsport 200 Turbo boasts simple, sensuous lines which place the accent on emotion, underpinned by several details readily associated with high performance and F1.

The latest creation from Renaultsport stands out through the authenticity of its sporting hallmarks which include specific bumpers and sills, twin exhaust tail-pipes and large-diameter wheels. While the five-door architecture and coupé profile contribute to its impressive versatility, the performance elements championed by Renaultsport are still clearly evident.

AN ELEGANT, YET HIGH-TECH EXTERIOR

The styling details of Renaultsport cars also play a technical role. The diffuser and rear lip spoiler, for example, were conceived as a whole – just as they are in the case of a single-seater race car – for maximum aerodynamic efficiency. Indeed, the diffuser contributes 80 per cent of the extra downforce generated at the rear, while the other 20 per cent is accounted for by the specifically designed lip spoiler. Like the front F1 blade, the diffuser and rear lip spoiler are hallmark features across the Renaultsport range and serve as a reminder of the success enjoyed by Renault in motor racing’s premier series, Formula 1.

At the front, the grille incorporates R.S. badging beneath the Renault logo, while the LED daytime running lights in the lower part of the bumper form a visual signature that is recognisable day or night. The exhaust tail pipes form a fully integrated part of the diffuser and are further highlighted by their tell-tale rectangular surround.

New Clio Renaultsport 200 Turbo is available in a choice of five body colours, including the exclusive, emblematic Liquid Yellow.

A COMFORTABLE, YET VIBRANT INTERIOR

In contrast to the elegance of the dominant black trim, a number of red details irresistibly draw the eye and structure the shape of the cabin. The choice of red for New Clio, a colour readily associated with the notion of passion’, is also evocative of the sporty additions introduced by Renaultsport, with the seatbelts and instrument needles being two striking examples. Red has also been used for the visible stitching, the sports steering wheel’s ‘straight ahead’ position marker, the air-vent surrounds and door panel beading. The gear lever knob, too, comes with red touches which are echoed by the visible stitching of the gear lever gaiter.

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.

A long-standing strength of Renaultsport models, the bucket seats come with additional lateral support in order to provide the high level of seating comfort and stability expected of a Clio flagship. They can also be upholstered in black leather with visible red stitching.

The black gloss centre console houses the 7” touchscreen with R-Link and integrated TomTom navigation with a chrome surround.

A COMFORTABLE, EVERYDAY DRIVE THAT COULD BE QUITE HARD TO CATCH…

New Clio Renaultsport 200 Turbo can be adapted on demand to suit its driver’s moods and desires, according to the type of journey required: calm or downright sporty, urban or motorway, a family outing or something purely hedonistic. It adapts instantly by adjusting the response and parameters of the engine, EDC (efficient dual clutch) transmission, steering, throttle inputs and ESC. Its traditionally dynamic Renault Sport chassis combines with a degree of suspension comfort that is rare for a car of such sporting character.. In any situation, its adaptability enables it to satisfy the whims of every driver…irrespective of temperament. It has a multi-faceted personality developed by Renault Sport Technologies.

DOWNSIZED TURBO ENGINE, EDC TRANSMISSION, STEERING WHEEL PADDLES

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 marriage of this engine with the EDC transmission lies at the heart of the meticulous development carried out by Renaultsport. Apart from the specific set-up work undertaken for New Clio Renaultsport 200 Turbo, the engine benefits from detailed fine-tuning of the air inlet, distributor, throttle and turbo.

Key objectives:

• increased torque from lower in the rev range to improve driveability
• power and greater reach at the top of the rev band to underline the car’s sporting character.

Tangible results:

• lively response thanks to a peak torque figure of 240Nm from just 1,750rpm
• significantly more responsiveacross a wide power band, plus a particularly dynamic temperament.

EXPLOSIVE PERFORMANCE

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.

In less extreme circumstances, the new Clio flagship charms with its docile manner and ease of use. In terms of driving comfort, it lacks for nothing when measured against its main class rivals.

When let off its leash, New Clio Renaultsport 200 Turbo is ready to exploit the full range of its potential in line with the individual capabilities of its driver.

“Our target was to maximise the full potential of the direct-injection engine mated to the twin-clutch transmission. Beyond mere cutting-edge performance, though, we worked hard to ensure the car was pleasant to drive and provided good feedback. Its three modes (‘Normal’, ‘Sport’ and ‘Race’) correspond with the requirements of any driver, including the most sporting. This is a new technology for our customers, accessible, practical and clearly identifiable.”
Renaud Hantz (Powertrain Driveability Leader, Renault Sport Technologies)

A CHASSIS DEVELOPED BY THE RENAULTSPORT EXPERTS

At the heart of Renaultsport’s expertise, engineers have focused on the chassis performance. Their goal was to improve the comfort, handling, road holding and braking expected of a Renaultsport model.

“We wanted to give New Clio Renaultsport 200 Turboeverything a driver might expect from a hot hatch: minimal body roll, huge straight-line and cornering potential, responsive steering and high levels of comfort that reflect the car’s versatility.”
Philippe Mérimée (Chief Chassis Dynamics Engineer, Renault Sport Technologies)

Front suspension: a pseudo-MacPherson strut layout has been retained with sturdier elements to increase stiffness in the unit incorporating wheel, upright, bearings and damper. A larger damper improves hydraulic performance and offers a better compromise in terms of comfort and body roll. Similarly, the front brakes rely on proven technology with generous dimensions (320mm discs, like the Laguna V6)…

Rear suspension: the thicker anti-roll bar is 10 per cent stiffer than that on Clio III Renaultsport….and 60 per cent more so than that on New Clio. Brake discs measure 260mm.

HYDRAULIC COMPRESSION CONTROL

Irrespective of conditions, New Clio Renaultsport 200 Turbo blends sharp road holding with an unusually high degree of comfort that’s rare in a car of such performance. Hydraulic compression control plays a direct part.

The principle hinges on the incorporation of a secondary damper within the main damper’s body. It’s a solution that yields spectacular results in terms of progressivity, comfort and performance. Yet while the idea looks simple on paper, the technical reality is a little less so and required all Renault Sport Technologies’ engineering know-how.

New Clio Renaultsport 200 Turbo embraces an innovation that Renault’s performance division has developed for about 15 years in rallying and is now ready for showroom models.

Pressing the ‘R.S. Drive’ button modifies the mapping of both the transmission (gear shift programming and shift time) and engine (response to pedal position and engine pitch). It also alters the way the ESC and ASR traction control intervene, as well as the feel of the power steering.

This system is based on a choice of three very different modes (‘Normal’, ‘Sport’ and ‘Race’) which modify New Clio Renaultsport 200 Turbo’s performance characteristics as a function of the driver’s wishes, needs or usage. As a result, the latest Clio Renaultsport is truly several cars in one.

The gear shift programming depends on a number of vehicle-related parameters (accelerator pedal position, pressure on the brake pedal, steering wheel angle), as well as on road conditions (slope, available grip, etc.). Gear shift speeds are also dependent on the load demanded by the accelerator pedal.