Renaultsport Clio V6 | PH Auction Block
Not only does this 3.0-litre Clio look like a race car, it ought to drive like one as well...
Credit where credit is due, Renault’s commitment to mid-engined, rear-drive madness is quite incredible. We thought it had all gone, another madcap French idea consigned to the history books, only for the 5 Turbo 3E to emerge. Not mid-engined in the traditional sense, sure, but absolutely channelling the energy of previous icons with its design, stripped-out nature and, er, 540hp in something the length of a Christmas tree. It’s a new take on the old formula, yet an instantly recognisable one.
And while the pair of 5 Turbos remain the most valuable of the Renault rascals, what with their rallying association and supercar-baiting performance, arguably it’s the Clio V6s that are still the most infamous. Because in the '80s everybody was going a bit berserk with homologation specials, from 205 T16 to BX 4TC; a mid-engined 5 was an audacious idea, though Renault were hardly the only ones trying wacky things...
By the late '90s, however, nobody apart from them was thinking about a huge V6 where the rear seats would go in a supermini, and that’s what made the Clio an instant classic. The 1998 concepts were loved, the Trophy race series was a hit, and the announcement of a production car in 2000 saw demand massively outstrip supply.
As a Phase 1 V6, one of the cars hand-built by TWR in Sweden, this Clio is already notable. There were just 256 RHD examples produced, and surely many fewer now given its feisty handling. It has just 55,000 miles for 23 years of driving. And, yes, the livery - but it’s there for good reason, as this Clio V6 packs a host of bits from the Trophy racer, a proper homage to one of the greatest one-make series to have existed. How better, really, to promote a new Clio - and replace the Sport Spider series - than with a grid of mid-engined V6s? (It’s a wrap, too, so could come off if you really wanted…)
While all roadgoing cars obviously shared an engine with the racer, plus a front anti-roll bar, this evocation goes much further still. So it has the wheels and the spoiler from the motorsport-spec car, plus a smart front splitter as well. The suspension is now by KW V3 coilovers, which ought to tame some of the standard car’s wayward tendencies - it’ll help with the fabulous stance, too. The inside is full road racer as well, with bucket seats, a Sparco wheel, a fire extinguisher and harnesses. It has all the makings of an absolutely wicked little track car.
Plus, of course, any kind of Clio V6 is going to provide a driving experience on the road like little else. The sound, the layout and the dimensions are so barmy that it really is a car without compare. Yet one that began life as a Renault Clio. Even with the arrival of a spiritual (much more expensive) successor in the shape of the Turbo 3E, the reputation of the Clio V6 means its legendary status is assured forever. This is a rare opportunity to grab one with good history, a lot of money spent on upgrades, and a fresh MOT for whoever wins the auction. Just maybe wait until the warmer months to really see what a mid-engined, rear-drive Renault is all about…
It's had a bit of a glow up since then, especially the interior.
It did have a cage in it.
New carpet and seats make it more road usable I guess.
I would want some very very good tyres on it mind.
TX.
He brought it along to our first post-covid Sunday Service, looked amazing!
TX.
These mk1 Clio V6 race cars were between £10-20k for ages certainly up until recently.
They are certainly fetching more now!
The auction car is a road registered production car made by TWR hence the dashboard etc and could be returned to standard.
Totally standard when I bought it and all the mods were planned and done through SGMotorsport.Quite a few mods done that aren't really seen until you have a close look around the car.
The base colours on the livery were similar in style to the Catalunya car with some of the decals from that car and some of my own choice
Great little car and with the suspension sorted it handled wonderfully. Had plenty more plans especially for the engine / engine bay. Engine was planned to be turned into a Trophy spec and wiring etc tidied up, complete respray of the engine bay and engine covers left off. A firebreak would have been fitted between the driver and engine.
Decided that may be a step too far and whist it's a great road car as it is it might have ended up being a little too extreme for everyday use and yes, it was more or less my daily and it's certainly a mad little thing.
Sold it and bought an Aston
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