Wednesday 31st July 2013

Renault Clio Gordini leaked?

Evidence of a hardcore 155mph Clio Renaultsport emerges

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Renault would prefer we forgot about the most recent Gordini models which hardly did justice to the hallowed name by merely offering a visual makeover of the standard Renaultsport Clios.

Stripes remain, but it's now lighter and faster

Renault boss Carlos Tavares acknowledged thatearlier this year, promising that in future the Gordini badge should only be affixed to the most hardcore models honed mainly for the track.

Now it seems he has made good on that promise. Spec details have emerged on a FrenchClio forum of what could be a Clio Renaultsport Gordini.

Alright, it could also be some fantastist detailing his dream car, but something about the fulllness of the details suggests this bloke has seen a secret spec sheet. The same forum also provided a couple of renderings of the car.

It suggests power will be upped to 230hp and torque increased to 210lb ft, gains of 30hp and 33lb ft over the standard RS200. A small weight reduction of around 25kg has been mooted also, which would take the Gordini to around 1180kg. The Cup chassis is said to be standard but lowered by 10mm. Wheels are 18-inchers.

This won't happen again, says Renault

A claimed 0-62mph time of 5.9 seconds and a 155mph top speed look optimistic until the power-to-weight is considered; the above figures give 194hp per tonne, which compares favourably with a Megane 265's 191hp per tonne. The EDC dual-clutch gearbox remains, but the spec suggest it's been reprogrammed, presumably for faster shifts.

The spec also suggests it will be available in four colour schemes – blue, white, red and grey – all with Gordini stripes, and come with a few interior embellishments, including "real carbon fibre" trim.

The Clio Gordini is reckoned to be due at some point next year with a price of around 28,000 euro (£24,500). Sounds steep, but if this really is hot hatch gold, then we'll say it's cheaper than Mini's JCW GP and be the first to praise it to the skies.

 

 

[mickers70]

Here we go ...............

[AutoEconomist]

Sounds good, with regards to the price £24,500 not unrealistic as went to look at the RS200 the other week & with Cup chassis and minimal spec'ing got to £21,500

[Jamesp24]

Think they should concentrate on getting my RS delivered before making a new one : /.good to know i should be safe with a remap anyway.

[TameRacingDriver]

Article said:

Renault would prefer we forgot about the most recent Gordini models which hardly did justice to the hallowed name by merely offering a visual makeover of the standard Renaultsport Clios.

I'm sure they would, but petrolheads don't forget. Damage already done, sorry Renault.

[tomv1to]

Isn't that going to make it as expensive as a new RS megane?

I would much rather the Megane considering the manual box and extra space.

[Technomatt]

Breaking news - a French car forums Gordini wish list.

[bozzy101]

£24,500 for a Clio!!!

Sounds a bit steep to me.

[Axionknight]

I can see the appeal over the standard model but personally think it still needs more of a diet to make it truly sharp and "hardcore".

Reference the price, I'd take a new Megane instead, due to the increase in space and the manual box as others have mentioned.

[Penneth]

Very mixed views on this one, a post over on RSUK a few days ago states it's simply a wish list someone made for a Gordini model that they want to present to Renault. However, it could just be part of a bad translation!

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With some recovered items here ekeii, we created our own Clio Gordini RS as we would like to recommend it to Renault to debut the market next year and presented at the Paris Motor Show in 2014.

Renault Clio Gordini RS EDC

- L4 turbocharged 1618 cm3
- 6200trs/min 230 hp, 285 Nm at 2000
- New exhaust stainless steel
- Re gearbox BVS6 EDC, for even faster gear changes
- Chassis Cup, but lower by 10 mm
- Revised and enhanced braking system in collaboration with Brembo (like the Megane RS)
- Reduce weight 25/30 kg (~ 1175 - 1180 kg)
- Final: 250 km / h
- 0-100 km / h: 6,0

[Andrew[MG]]

Car is still pretty ugly....

[vrooom]

rear light look like it has been photocopied from latest seat ibiza

[Reavenger]

220bhp and still no differential of any kind. Even with the new suspension, I'm imagining torque steer creeping in here.

[Technomatt]

Ahh let me have a think, can I add some Recaro seats to that wish list

[TNH]

No paint / stripes combo could ever make that shape look good in my opinion.

I suspect a standard mini jcw would be better to drive too... although ive never driven the new Clio so only guessing. It would almost certainly be a better ownership prospect. And of course it has a manual gearbox.

[Escort Si-130]

Well if its too steep for you there are lots of old farted out Clio mk1's for under £500 to suit your budget.

bozzy101 said:

£24,500 for a Clio!!!

Sounds a bit steep to me.

[LordPetroleum]

In my eyes they will never better the Mk1 Ren 5 Gordini, twas a thing of angular beauty.

[deadmau5]

Reavenger said:

220bhp and still no differential of any kind. Even with the new suspension, I'm imagining torque steer creeping in here.

It has an e-diff.

[Iroquois Plisken]

Fake. Photoshop skills: 3/10



The stripes are inconsistently spaced and badly shaped.

The bodywork is unrealistically shiny from a basic recolour.

The rest is pure wishlist.

[Iroquois Plisken]

deadmau5 said:

It has an e-diff.

Which is an ESP function, not anything to do with the differential in the gearbox.

[TheRoadWarrior]

Reavenger said:

220bhp and still no differential of any kind. Even with the new suspension, I'm imagining torque steer creeping in here.

The new turbo clio doesn't have the trick independent-steering axis suspension anymore. Standard struts I believe.