RE: New Renault Clio Renaultsport Spied

[Contigo]

That is not a RenaultSport. Fiver on it.....

[Hoygo]

Penneth said:

Check the real pictures a few comments back

ah just seen that , it has the wheels from a 265 Megane too,so looks like Renault will announce the R.S version faster this time.

[Swervin_Mervin]

Flood said:

I seem to intensely hate every new generation of clio, until the next one comes out, at which point I fall in love with the former.

I was always a mk1 nut. Loved the bespoke flared arches, which included full 3/4 panels on the rear with flaring. Add the bonnet bulge/vent and you had a great looking hot hatch.

The mk2 was always a let down in the looks department - too often mistaken for a more mainstream model.

Renault listened to that criticism though and gave the mk3 some bespoke metalwork again. The result being that the 197 (the 200 lost the balance imo) is one of the best looking modern hatches (the best imo).

This new one doesn't seem to have that aggressive 4-square stance that the mk1 and mk3 share. I reckon it'll be a flop, as I just don't think there's a market for the 5dr. The 5dr Megane RSport didn't sell in any meaningful numbers, so why would a Clio? I can see the Twingo becoming ever more popular.

[The Obeast]

Robb F said:

The Obeast said:

doogz said:

VR46 said:

doogz said:

VR46 said:

Doesn't appeal to me at all, but then again it is only a renault so why should it?

Because they make some of the best FWD cars about, and this is a car website?

They make wrong wheel drive cars admittedly; but the best?!

Some of the best, yes.

Are you struggling with this?

I'm pretty sure this dude popped up o the rs 172 & 182 buyers guide moaning about renaults.

thing is my 172 is the 1st renault ive bought, so you dont even need to be a fan boy to know that the renaultsports have recieved high praise form lots of reviews for handling.

He does seem to have a chip on his shoulder about Renaults. Not a problem as obviously everyone can have their say, but why come onto a topic about them to say you don't like them?

(I don't really like Renaults either FYI)

totally get you, its an opinion forum, everyone is entitled to their opinion, i just dont understand why some people go out of their way to make the same point on every story about a certain car. and apart from the renaultsports, i dont really like renaults that much

[Red 4]

Contigo said:

That is not a RenaultSport. Fiver on it.....

It's got the "blade" on the front bumper so I'd say it is.

5 door only. Same as the new Focus ST. Cost cutting. Although I can't see Ford making a 5 door Focus RS.

[KennyGT]

Ok, so this is a spy shot and all that, but its a clio. Im sorry, yes the clio renosport has its fans, but I dont see the apeal. Still, it will sell in volume....

[gaz751]

if there testing this , and its a renaultsport, arnt the wheels abit small? stupid shrinkwrap is one thing, but thems is small hoops, max 16inch? im not sold on that being an rs....

[Fantuzzi]

Looks rubbish. What a shame.

[roystinho]

Yes the Clio will be 5 door only, and turbo, and yes those are 2 things that I wouldn't choose on my car. I love the renaultsport brand, had 4 and looking for my 5th, but highly doubt I will get one of these.

There is, however, a rumour going round that there will be a 3 door Renaultsport but not badged 'clio'. Possibly a coupe, or maybe even a modern day Renault 5, just like the MINI, Fiat 500, DS3 etc.

Now a modern day R5 GT Turbo, that sounds more like it. Or drop the 2.0T mid mounted from the megane to make a 5 Turbo, that's the stuff we want to see thank you please

[Dion20vt]

What's the big fuss if its a 3 or 5 door?? For people who will buy a car on how it looks rather than how it drives, There are plenty of Renault Wind's to be had!

Aslong as it drives as good as the previous sport, that's what matters!!

[annodomini2]

Looks fat and heavy

[Ninjaboy]

Renault seem to have decided they don't like being in busniess anymore. They are alienating all their fans and ditching models all over the place.

[Mouse1903]

I've got a feeling the current Clio 200 will be the last great Renaultsport Clio

[anonymous-user]

It'll be fine. The camo flattens the lines of the body making it look bulbous and fat. I have confidence that they'll get it right, as they always have done.

p.s. VR46 needs a break. Consistently posting just to annoy people = useless = ban.

[Robb F]

MSTRBKR said:

It'll be fine. The camo flattens the lines of the body making it look bulbous and fat. I have confidence that they'll get it right, as they always have done.

The MK1 was the only Clio that didn't look bulbous and fat. They are definitely not good looking cars.

[scholesy]

Dion20vt said:

What's the big fuss if its a 3 or 5 door?? For people who will buy a car on how it looks rather than how it drives, There are plenty of Renault Wind's to be had!

Aslong as it drives as good as the previous sport, that's what matters!!

Not really, half of the appeal of a hot hatch is that it looks hot(ter) than the rest of the clios on the road, being 3 door is another way of saying "my car is sporty and I'm young and only need 3 doors" by going 5 door only Renault would be seriously alienating their target market. Personally I don't think they would make such a stupid move, and this just happens to be a different variant of the clio, like a GT or such.

[GrumpyTwig]

scholesy said:

Not really, half of the appeal of a hot hatch is that it looks hot(ter) than the rest of the clios on the road, being 3 door is another way of saying "my car is sporty and I'm young and only need 3 doors" by going 5 door only Renault would be seriously alienating their target market. Personally I don't think they would make such a stupid move, and this just happens to be a different variant of the clio, like a GT or such.

Its already been confirmed by renault, specifically employees of the renaultsport branch there will not be a 3 door model and yes most people have said no thanks to a 5 door car.

[Grovsie26]

Sad news. So thats Honda now definatly gone, and the last decent N/A hot hatch gone as well.

Boo hoo.

[anonymous-user]

Robb F said:

The MK1 was the only Clio that didn't look bulbous and fat. They are definitely not good looking cars.

I think all the Renaultsport Clios (bar the Clio 2 phase 1) look pretty nice. The normal Clios are okay but not great looking, no.

[mattbvw]

Grovsie26 said:

Sad news. So thats Honda now definatly gone, and the last decent N/A hot hatch gone as well.

Boo hoo.

Blame emissions regs and consumer desire for increased MPG (because fuel has gone through the roof in the last 5 or so years). Shame but that's the way it is.

The engineers at Renault Sport are like the ones at Porsche - very close to their respective motorsport departments and absolutely passionate. Unlike some companies they are 24/7 on performance cars, not one minute on a van, the next on a hot-hatch as at some other firms. I have no doubt that even with a 1.6 Turbo DSG/whatever it will be fast and fab to drive. People were so negative about the 197 when that came out. And the Megane 250. And...