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!
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.