Tuesday 12th June 2012

New Renault Clio Renaultsport Spied

Our man at the 'ring spots new hot Clio on test

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This 70s wallpaper-wrapped hatch is a test mule for the new Renault Clio, due for launch at the Paris motor show this September and snapped testing at the 'ring.

They could also be some of the first spy shots of the Renaultsport version of the new Clio.

Snapped by our man at the 'ring Dale Lomas this morning, the new car had us briefly wondering whether it was a new Vauxhall Corsa (looking at that nose).

Before Dale pointed out that French numberplate and - er - the fact that he happened to know Renaultsport was busy testing on the Nordschleife.

So what do the new pics tell us? Not much, other than that it looks like the Mk4 Clio will be a five-door only affair, meaning this will be the first RS Clio with rear passenger doors.

Unfortunately for lovers of the screaming naturally-aspirated 2.0 litre in the current car, word has it that the new car will be powered by a downsized 1.6 turbo - which perhaps explains the parp-bang exhaust noise reported by Dale. Interestingly, Dale also says that it 'changes like it's got a DSG 'box'. Intriguinger and intriguinger...

Course, if the thought of a turbocharged Clio doesn't appeal, there's always the PH Classifieds...

Pics: Dale Lomas

[BallsOfTitanium]

DSG I get in proper sports cars but in a Renault Clio blimey!! Yeah I know seat,VW et al all use DSG but the Clio was /is a proper hot hatch and has proper genes going all the way back to the eighties.... AND 5 DOORS PLEASE!!! Rant over

[mickers70]

Censored !!

[Papa Hotel]

Turbo'd 1.6...

That's fine for Renault, not Renaultsport. For shame, for shame.

[John Boy 616]

IMO that looks bland. The wallpaper may not be helping matters but still! Urgh

[BallsOfTitanium]

I don't actually mind the 1.6 turbo I like the character of these new engines, big torque, revvy and they fart on the over-run!
Thats the only nice thing I'm saying to this story TaRa for now......

[davepoth]

That looks like a mini MPV with big wheels. Do Not Want.

[Regiment]

That looks hideous, looks like a big step down from the current RS clio

[TomTVR500]

BallsOfTitanium said:

DSG I get in proper sports cars but in a Renault Clio blimey!! Yeah I know seat,VW et al all use DSG but the Clio was /is a proper hot hatch and has proper genes going all the way back to the eighties.... AND 5 DOORS PLEASE!!! Rant over

Agree completely, as a 182 owner and a massive Renaultsport fan I am sickened at them even thinking about putting forced induction a DSG and 5 doors on a Renaultsport Clio!!

If the New Renaultsport Clio has a DSG and the new GT3 has a PDK I think I will have to kill myself. That's my favourite hot hatch and supercar ruined completely.

The worlds gone mad!

[VR46]

Doesn't appeal to me at all, but then again it is only a renault so why should it?

[W00DY]

I can't believe an RS clio won't be 3-door and manual. Turbocharged, maybe, but this must be a different variant.

Edited by W00DY on Tuesday 12th June 18:04

[aspen]

The pictures here look slightly more Renaultsporty but still hideous.

http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/06/spied-renault...

[Mastodon2]

I know they wrap them to hide the lines and shape of the car, but this is absolutely hideous.

[Penneth]

W00DY said:

I can't believe an RS clio it'll be 3-door and manual. Turbocharged, maybe, but this must be a different variant.

Renault have confirmed there will be no 3 door Clio, even in Renaultsport form

[W00DY]

Penneth said:

W00DY said:

I can't believe an RS clio it'll be 3-door and manual. Turbocharged, maybe, but this must be a different variant.

Renault have confirmed there will be no 3 door Clio, even in Renaultsport form

Who would buy a 5-door version? I suppose they'll just aim it at a different market.

[LovelyTia]

Wow Renault isn't really listening to what made their 'Hot' versions so special.
5 door only is a massive let down. Not everyone wants 5 doors and thats more weight so chances are the 0-60 of this model is going to be the same as the current production, regardless of any extra BHP the 1.6 may or may not put out.
I'm undecided on the engine, everyone knew that NAs where on notice ever since the EU got tougher on emissions. Sad to see them go as I adore the soundtrack in mine at 5k+
It'll make modifying them easier on the pocket then the current gen that's for sure.

It certainly is not a pretty car. This got bashed with the same ugly stick that the Twingo had a run in with.
Renault needs new designers. Do not let these ones at the Megane.

[Penneth]

aspen said:

The pictures here look slightly more Renaultsporty but still hideous.

http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/06/spied-renault...

The pictures in this PH article are the normal Clio. The RS version or at least the hotter version (perhaps a GT?) appear to be in the link you provided, good spot!

[Sir_Dave]

Looks great to me. Will do the value of my Trophy a real favour lol ...

[RenesisEvo]

A lot of people commenting on how the car looks - that's like judging a book by its cover, when the book is still in wrapping paper. I'll reserve any judgement until I see it undisguised. Shame it's going down the turbo route, but that's inevitable these days.

[andburg]

looking at the autocar shots this isn't the renaultsport version, notice the different bumpers and wheels

looks like its going to adopt alfa romeo style rear doors with invisible handles, mech prob hidden like on the wind.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/scoop/hot-renaul...

[P4ROT]

TomTVR500 said:

Agree completely, as a 182 owner and a massive Renaultsport fan I am sickened at them even thinking about putting forced induction a DSG and 5 doors on a Renaultsport Clio!!

If the New Renaultsport Clio has a DSG and the new GT3 has a PDK I think I will have to kill myself. That's my favourite hot hatch and supercar ruined completely.

The worlds gone mad!

So so true