Monday 23rd May 2016

Clio Renaultsport 'KZ 01' seen online [updated]

Has Renaultsport really put a 275hp Megane motor in the Clio?

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UPDATE 23/05/2016 1530h: Renault has today confirmed that a "special version of Clio R.S." will be shown at the Monaco Grand Prix this Friday, to mark 40 years of Renaultsport and its return to F1. The announcement was accompanied by the same front three-quarter shot as seen in the table below, and leaked yesterday.

Patrice Ratti, head of Renaultsport's road cars, said that the "slightly crazy car" was a joint effort between the road and race divisions. He also added that the car "refines the expertise of Renaultsport engineers whilst exploring new avenues for the future." If it's anything like the suggested spec, we can't wait - bring on Friday!

 

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Original story, as reported 22/05/2016:
Photos have appeared on a Czech website of a rather special looking Clio Renaultsport seemingly based on the regular 200 but packing some seriously swollen arches, a big rear wing and - it is speculated - some extra power under the bonnet to the tune of 250hp. That's at least 30hp up on the 220 Trophy, currently the most powerful variant of the current shape Clio Renaultsport on sale. A French forum and associated Facebook page is going further, suggesting the 275hp 2.0-litre engine from the Megane Renaultsport and a limited run of fewer than 500 cars.

They've been up to something...

There's nothing official yet but included in the photos shared by the site is a group picture of what appears to be a team from Renaultsport posing with the car in front of design sketches of a seriously pumped up Clio, the Renault F1 car and with the designation 'KZ 01' alongside the drawings. Via some slightly flaky Google translation the site is also claiming a possible appearance for the car at next weekend's Monaco Grand Prix, which Renault has used previously to demonstrate concepts like the mid-engined, Twingo-previewing Twin'Run concept.

Consider this a developing story with more to come as we're able to bring it to you.

[Source and photos: www.auto.cz, Clio-RS-Concept, via Facebook]

 

 

[anonymous-user]

Could be magnificent... if they ditch the dual-clutch & fit a manual 'box.

[Turquoise]

That's more like it!

[dunnoreally]

Was it really the engine that was at issue in these, though?

[toerag]

RIP Honda

[daemon]

riviera said:

Could be magnificent... if they ditch the dual-clutch & fit a manual 'box.

Presumably they have fitted the appropriate Megane manual box too

[daemon]

dunnoreally said:

Was it really the engine that was at issue in these, though?

No, but the box was. And presuming they've added both the megane engine and box then that should solve it.

[k-ink]

Ditch the laughable spoiler (on a FWD car ) and this could be a giggle.

[Alucidnation]

If true, hats off to Renault Sport for their madness and continuing to give us some proper hot hatches!!

[Stamford78]

toerag said:

RIP Honda

You wish lol. Get ready
for the Nsx this year.

[dunnoreally]

daemon said:

No, but the box was. And presuming they've added both the megane engine and box then that should solve it.

If they have, that'd be brilliant. Between the Alpine and the new Megane GT, though, it seems Renaultsport are trying to distance themselves from manuals, so it wouldn't surprise me if they'd looked for an alternative.

I recall hearing good things about the shifting in the Trophy cars...

[anonymous-user]

The only thing that surprises me here is that they didn't do it sooner. The Megane engine is a relatively easy aftermarket swap into the earlier cars so unless the underlying architecture has changed massively I'd hope it would be the same with the latest Clio.

I'd love to see what the manufacturer could do with that sort of conversion.

[GrumpyTwig]

charltjr said:

The only thing that surprises me here is that they didn't do it sooner. The Megane engine is a relatively easy aftermarket swap into the earlier cars so unless the underlying architecture has changed massively I'd hope it would be the same with the latest Clio.

I'd love to see what the manufacturer could do with that sort of conversion.

The swap is easy in earlier cars because they are basically using the same engine, with one having a turbo bolted on. The 200t/220 etc. are all using a Nissan engine the same as they use in the Juke so the whole thing is entirely different.

I doubt it's the engine from the old Megane and is just the same 1.6 or... maybe it's using the 1.8 from the Alpine which is basically the same engine with a different bore/stroke I forget which.

Kudos if they actually have put this together and it gets to market without just being a marketing exercise.

[Butter Face]

Nothing from RUK as far as I'm aware, but that does look ace.

Be amazing if they do have the balls to go ahead with it, the standard 200's gearbox is not ace, the 200 Trophy is much better, but a manual with an LSD is the dream!

[Reavenger]

Now we're talking. It's not like Renault doesn't have form with crazy limited runs is it? 275bhp. Manual or Auto. LSD. Proper Recaro's and big brakes please.

[Speed_Demon]

I've seen rumours this will have a manual box.

Exactly what's needed. With the right bits underneath this could be a modern day trophy and absolute winner, hard to see it being beat in its class of it does come along with Öhlins and 275bhp.

[em177]

k-ink said:

Ditch the laughable spoiler (on a FWD car ) and this could be a giggle.

What has the fact it's fwd got to do with it?

[Kolbenkopp]

Just had a quick browse through the French forum linked in the article. Rumour mill says it's basically Mégane 3 RS Cup running gear in a widened Clio 4 RS and styling cues in line with the upcoming Clio facelift.

So:

- F4Rt engine @ 275 PS
- Manual transmission
- Trick front suspension
- Locking differential
- Öhlins suspension
- Brembo brakes
- Lithium battery
- Steering wheel from the supplier that does that BMW M part
- ...

Caveats though: they assume a limited run of max 500 which will make it expensive, and there are some concerns it might actually just be a show car as homologation costs would seem high due to the engine swap. Some real optimists think that is a sign the 2.0 engine might come back in the facelift Clio.

I think its fantastic. Let's hope it actually hits the road.

[k-ink]

em177 said:

k-ink said:

Ditch the laughable spoiler (on a FWD car ) and this could be a giggle.

What has the fact it's fwd got to do with it?

You want added traction over the driven wheels, not the opposite end of the car. In this example - IF there was a ruddy great front spoiler adding downforce (aiding traction), plus a rear spoiler to balance out the car, then perhaps it might be doing something. But there is not. So it is utterly pointless. Just a nonsense styling accessory and no more. Only put in place to please those who have no clue.

[Kolbenkopp]

Oh, and on twitter Renault Sport basically confirmed a launch at Monaco. Leaked pics also seem to fit to what they teased.

[MrBarry123]

em177 said:

k-ink said:

Ditch the laughable spoiler (on a FWD car ) and this could be a giggle.

What has the fact it's fwd got to do with it?

This. Providing it's functional, surely it helps to stabilise the rear of the car at speed? I get that it doesn't perform in the same way as a RWD car (i.e. it's not increasing downforce in the area of the driven wheels) however a spoiler is not automatically redundant just because the car it's attached to is FWD.

Plus, having a spoiler is ALWAYS better than not having one.

ETA: k-ink - surely the weight of the engine helps to balance the effect of a spoiler on a FWD car? I don't hear people saying the new Civic Type-R suffers from instability at high-speed. I seem to remember LOH saying that he found it exceptionally stable at high-speed at the 'Ring?

Finally - the Clio looks great, very purposeful.

Edited by MrBarry123 on Sunday 22 May 14:32