Monday 2nd July 2012

Renaultsport Clio: turbo, dual clutch confirmed

First official details drip out about next fast Clio

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Renault has confirmed the rumours about the next Renaultsport Clio. When it goes on sale early summer next year, it'll be powered by 1.6-litre turbo instead of a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre engine. It'll be offered as a five-door only and will come with a dual-clutch gearbox option alongside the standard six-speed manual.

Visitors to the Goodwood Festival of Speed on the weekend were treated to the first glimpse of the new hot-hatch when Renault boss Carlos Tavares drove a camouflaged prototype up the hill.

New hot Clio: five doors, turbo power

We'll have to wait until its unveiling at the Paris motor show in October to find out whether the Renault has successfully managed to create a proper-looking Renaultsport Clio out of a five-door body instead of the traditional three-door, but a company spokesman did promise us the overall effect is almost coupe-like, with its falling roofline and hidden rear door handles.

As you might expect, the cancellation of the three-door for all versions of the Clio comes down to cost: "It's a declining part of the sector. Across Europe, five-door superminis massively outsell three-door versions," Renault told us.

No power outputs have been given for the 1.6 turbo, but we're promised it'll match or beat the 200hp put out by the current car. That means it'll still have the poke to hit 62mph in 6.9 seconds or less, but generally consume a lot less fuel than the average 34.5mpg officially recorded by the current car.

Previous cars were much-loved

The same engine in the Nissan Juke is quoted at 41mpg, so even with the extra horsepower over the 190hp Nissan it should beat that.

The price isn't expected to shift much from the £18,135 it costs now, but initially anyway there won't be the Cup version to shave another grand off by deleting some of the kit.

Renault wouldn't be drawn on whether a sharpened-up Cup will be offered in the future, but we can save you guessing by saying yes, it will be.

There's a lot riding on the launch next year. The Renaultsport Clio has built up a loyal following ever since the 172 version was first seen in 1999 and crucially, unlike Peugeot with the GTI, it has so far managed to retain that magic in subsequent versions. Fingers crossed for next year.

[Antj]

5 door is terrible for tall people though, hate smashing my back on the pillar getting in. shame always preferred a 3 door

Edited by Antj on Monday 2nd July 13:48

[pistolp]

Manual or no manual. That is one ugly beast.

[Si_man306]

What an ugly looking car. Have they allowed such open-to-the-public 'spy' shots to be taken of it because in any other colour it would reveal how hideous it really is?

And a 1.6 turbo? Really renault? How sad. It'll be the end of an era.

Seems to be a real failure of car companies to differentiate their products from others at the moment (shape, engine etc).

[Roger645]

From the article: and will come with a dual-clutch gearbox option alongside the standard six-speed manual.

[CBR JGWRR]

That front end...

[GH80]

I would like to see one parked beside a 1992 1.8 16V Clio. Would be interesting to get an idea how much they have grown over 20 years.

[Alexlfc]

Oh dear, the front end looks tragic.

[trickywoo]

GH80 said:

I would like to see one parked beside a 1992 1.8 16V Clio. Would be interesting to get an idea how much they have grown over 20 years.

Doubled by the looks of that thing

[anonymous-user]

Looks too big to be a clio we know and love.

[C.A.R.]

Whoa. No matter what's under the camo there's no way that car can look good.

It looks really tall, as well. This will probably be to the Clio what the 307 was to the GTi6 - possibly the end of an era of desirable hot hatches?

[Dblue]

Not sure you can tell if its good looking in these pics, heavily disguised with patterns designed to disrupt your view of the shape.
Renaultsport seem to be as good as ever if recent form is anything to go by and modern turbos are so responsive that the throttle response will be absolutely fine.
More torque will help the Clio which is a thrashy little car at the moment anyway.
DC transmission, Mmm, not quite so sure. Having driven quite a few cars so equipped from a a number of manufacturers now its really down to how tactile and involving they get it.
VW stuff is like driving a car with a switch to change gear, Porsche PDK , BMW DCT, much more interactive and involving, Nissan GTR, fantastic, (Although a clunky, chuntering experience when maneuvering )
I suspect as its mainstream Renault parts that it's going to be VW Group like which will be disappointing. Hope not.

[CedricN]

I think it can look nice. But will probably me more comfy and a bit more isolated like all newer cars. Double clutch is boring if you are out to have fun, but fantastic if you spend the days through traffic, I think its ok if you have a choice between those two depending on the planned use of the car. I have a Ibiza cupra w DSG at the moment and the DSG is great everyday in traffic, but its way more boring when you want do have fun (But i wouldnt have bought it if it had a manual only due do the traffic situation). Will be interesting to see what they make withe the 1.6. It can be a great choice if they make it sound fund and wont do a to flat and boring torque curve, hopefully a bit more "fun" oriented.

[davepoth]

C.A.R. said:

Whoa. No matter what's under the camo there's no way that car can look good.

It looks really tall, as well. This will probably be to the Clio what the 307 was to the GTi6 - possibly the end of an era of desirable hot hatches?

Just buy a Twingo.

[tomv1to]

I'm hoping this monstrosity is a hoax. Renault probably hope now that the 'replacement,' has been seen people will run out and by the current version because they are worried that its the last proper RS Clio resulting in a massive surge in sales.

[C.A.R.]

davepoth said:

Just buy a Twingo.

Isn't that one of the models Renault UK are dropping? Or am I wrongly informed...?

[RWD cossie wil]

Has the designer modelled that on Sloth from the Goonies?!

[Hoygo]

Well its officially the end of an era,the end of the exiting hot hatch,Honda stoped doing one in 2004 (for UK),VW in 1992,other manufacturers like Ford stoped using N/A engines and everybody now uses small capacity Turbos.

Really is not a surprise,the Clio 200 was the last true hot hatch and alongside with the Megane R.S were the most exiting hot hatches on the market.

I think this new one is not such a disaster as everyone makes out now (typical) and surely will be even faster/better than the Clio 200,its available as a Manual too so nothing to worry,but as i said with the dimensions this big and the uninspiring engine no one will be attracted,if anyone wants a fast comfortable hatch goes for a Golf GTI.

Renault following VWs strategy on here.

[Dblue]

C.A.R. said:

Whoa. No matter what's under the camo there's no way that car can look good.

It looks really tall, as well. This will probably be to the Clio what the 307 was to the GTi6 - possibly the end of an era of desirable hot hatches?

I'm biased but I reckon the Megane RS is a much better looking thing than the current Clio. And as its got a good few years to go yet i think we can say there's still at least one very desirable hot hatch out there,

Actually the Clio is great because its all about what it does rather than what it looks like or else everyone can just go and get a specced up MINI

Have faith, the nutters in Dieppe will produce another cracker I reckon.

[sjg]

So like a Fabia vRS then?

Not that that's a bad thing really. If Renault can do a fairly efficient 5-door hot hatch that's as easy to drive in traffic as my vRS but with some of the handling DNA that made previous RenaultSports so good, I'll be straight down to the dealers.

[Tib]

The lack of three door is more interesting than the blower or the dual clutch for me.

A car that holds completely no appeal.

Might be a time to pick up a trophy and watch the value of it go up?