Wednesday 9th January 2013

Clio RS prices released

Belgian-market pricing hints at what we'll pay for the new turbo Clio 200

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Whether you’re keenly awaiting the arrival of the next Clio RenaultSport, or you’re of the conviction that a turbocharged engine and five doors will make it a lesser car than its predecessors, you’ll no doubt be interested to hear how much it’s going to cost. Well, while we’ve still no news on UK prices, Renault has released figures for the Belgian market on its website configurator over there.

New RS set to be priced confidently

We’re not sure whether it was intentional or an accidental slip, and it has to be added that there’s been no official confirmation that the pricing is accurate from Renault, but there’s no reason to assume it isn’t. That being the case, this new information gives us a clearer idea of how much the new RS will cost: €25,480, to be precise, inclusive of Belgian VAT.

Of course, working out the UK prices isn’t quite as simple as converting from Euros to pounds, but a bit of extremely advanced back-of-an-envelope extrapolation that Brian Cox himself would be proud of suggests that the Clio RS will sell over here for between £20,000 and £22,000. That seems a touch on the pricey side, pitching it directly at the Focus ST, and a good couple of thou’ above the Mini Cooper S, which is ostensibly a more natural rival. And let’s not forget that the Mini will likely boast better residuals, too.

That means one of two things: either the new Clio has ideas above its station or – more likely – the RS is going to be pretty special so that it justifies that price. Fingers crossed it’s the latter.

[Dazed & Confused]

These pedestrian friendly high bonnets are making most cars look so ugly - but this one is particularly bad.

[Greg 172]

Even if it is special, it doesn't justify a price that almost puts it in competition with the next class up..

[nickfrog]

I doubt it will be more than £20K base price. There wouldn't be much of a market at that price I don't think.

The front end is quite challenging on the red car, I agree.

[Charlie Michael]

I said it when the photos were first released and i'll say it again now. That is one ugly fking car.

No manual, 5 door. HUGE Renault bage, silly wheels, high bonnet, fat and overweight design.

[RobCrezz]

I quite liked the look of the old clio 200, but that looks terrible!

[Addymk2]

It's ugly as sin. 200bhp? It's also outgunned by everything else in it's class. Good luck Renault Sport!

[The Boosh]

Addymk2 said:

It's uly as sin. 200bhp? It's also outgunned by everything else in it's class. Good luck Renault Sport!

I know what you mean RE the power, however there's more to a car than what power it outputs. The outgoing Clio 200 is testament to that.

[RacingBlue]

The red car in that picture simply does not look like an RS - more a high spec standard car.

It has to be said, it's still pretty fugly too.

[ambuletz]

Very strange how pricing of cars has changed over the years.
The clio RS will be £2000 more expensive then the base price of the Mini Cooper S. I can only guess that the high price is because they're probably going to try and make the clio more up-market. All those people who wanted the affordability of a renault would move down to a dacia?

[Krikkit]

ambuletz said:

Very strange how pricing of cars has changed over the years.
The clio RS will be £2000 more expensive then the base price of the Mini Cooper S. I can only guess that the high price is because they're probably going to try and make the clio more up-market. All those people who wanted the affordability of a renault would move down to a dacia?

Yep, and it comes with their fancy flappy-paddle box, which usually adds a few bob onto any car. Having said that I reckon it's a competitor to the JCW Mini, the ordinary one is 20hp down on this, JCW 10 up.

Edited by Krikkit on Wednesday 9th January 14:04

[DannyScene]

Racingblue - Spot on

Dazed & Confused, I never noticed that before but feck it looks stupid


How did they go from the last one which I thought was a gorgeous little car to this heap of ste!?

Can see this one bombing big time

[loose cannon]

this is the first renaultsport that i dont realy like, will have a go in one as soon as my old work get a demo but it would have to be flippin amazing to tempt me out of my meg which lets face it is gonna be a very very tall order indeed

[MarkAbarth500]

Thats a dreadful photo to be using for the RS - without the number plate, i genuinely doubt people would have caught on to whats lurking under the bonnet - and the C-RS isn't supposed to be a Q-car!
I genuinely thought the Renault Sports were always going to be winners no matter what generation we move onto, but with those looks and that seemingly odd pricing structure, i can't help but feel saddened that Renault have lost touch with its market.
The Megane RS is an awful lot of money (regardless of all prices hiking up), and the Twingo RS will always be a Twingo. The Clio RS for me was always the one - not anymore....

Makes evo's buyers guide to the C-RS 197 that more appealing for a £6k track car.

[DanielSan]

Is it me or is this car getting uglier?

[loose cannon]

DanielSan said:

Is it me or is this car getting uglier?

its deffo ugly as sin shame really

[FlavaDave]

I think all the above are natural reactions to change.

I'm glossing over it's looks for now, and I'm ignoring this deliberate forum prodding article about price because I think this car will be a cracker.

Good luck RenaultSport.

[nickfrog]

Fair enough. Time will tell. But you have to admit that the Clio is rubbish at being a 3-door manual, or is that down to resistance to change too ?

I'd be interested to know how much it weighs too.

[toppstuff]

I cannot recall the last time I saw a new Renault.

The brand has died around my neck of the woods. Local dealer has switched to selling Kia I believe.

Considering Renault practically invented the MPV, it is a shame to see what a complete horlicks of things Renault management have made.

A case study in pioneering innovation and then squandering the lot with myopic, stupid management IMO.

I mean, come on, who really cares about Renault these days other than a small number of hardcore Clio hot hatchers?

[swanny71]

Had a play on the renault.be site - it looks pretty crap in black to

[DannyScene]

swanny71 said:

Had a play on the renault.be site - it looks pretty crap in black to

My first thought on seeing that was


toyota_aygo_hatchback_special_editions_36327 by dannyscene, on Flickr