Renaultsport Clio 200 Cup | PH Private Area
Make a brew, sit down, get comfy - you'll want to read this
Working at PH, you read a lot of car adverts. A lot more than is probably healthy, to be honest. Most are too short, some are too long, quite a few don’t make any sense and others are just non-existent. A picture really is worth a thousand words in some cases. Then, on the other hand, there are those classifieds that are a joy to read, learning every detail of an ownership story as you look around the house thinking about which essential items could be sold to raise the money. Hopefully, it’s clear what kind of advert this one is.
An Alien Green Clio 200 Cup is already a great thing to be advertising, of course. Its reputation and its rarity (apparently just 18 Cups in this colour were ever sold in the UK) make this very attractive straight off the bat. It’s the most driver-focused version (the Cup being a tiny bit lighter than a full fat with the Cup chassis option) of perhaps Renault’s best 21st century Clio, in one of the most sought-after colours, with a couple of desirable extras included. Even if it was an advert with the bare minimum of pics and details, you’d be interested. But there’s far, far more to it than that.
Owned by the current keeper since February 2019, it was purchased from specialists K-Tec Racing with a couple of their upgrades already fitted (which the owner has subsequently added to). The big stuff includes Bilstein B14 coilovers, an Akrapovic stainless steel exhaust, K-Tec induction kit, K-Tec remap, plus K-Tec engine and gearbox mounts. It’s also on Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres, with upgraded brake hardware as well. Talk about making the best better.
That’s in addition to all the little tweaks that elevate it further, including Clio 197 rear seats (comfier than the basic Cup bench), a retrimmed wheel, a billet aluminium shifter and a spare set of wheels and tyres for track days (of which it’s only done one with this owner). Everything you’d want sorted or upgraded has been done to a car in a fantastic spec: the cambelt changes are up to date, the gearbox has been inspected, the Recaros aren’t badly worn. The only thing missing is the rear wiper, but the mechanism has been maintained. And that hasn’t stopped this Clio winning awards for its condition.
Talk about the dream scenario. Used, enjoyed, modified and tracked (so you could continue doing more of the same), yet cared for so lovingly that it has prize-winning potential. A future owner could continue as is, revert it to stock, or explore making even more of a track car from it. Alien Green ensures it’ll always be in demand.
And there’s a little surprise for those who take the time to get through the entire advert, as the seller has another Clio available. A Liquid Yellow 182, no less, which must be almost as rare as an Alien Green 200. They’re open to a combined deal on the pair, too, and what a duo they’d make at around £20k. Just make sure to print the ad for part of the history as well, please.
SPECIFICATION | RENAULT SPORT CLIO 200
Engine: 1,998cc, four-cyl
Transmission: 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 200@7,100rpm
Torque (lb ft): 159@5,400rpm
MPG: 34.4
CO2: 195g/km
Recorded mileage: 78,000
Year registered: 2009
Price new: £15,750 (2009, Cup)
Yours for: £13,750
Fantastic cars, and I would have a 197/200 over a 172/182, especially if it was something to use every day. I think the problem with the upper end of the 200 market is that I'm not sure they really justify the additional expense over a 197, which can be add for considerably less. I know journos like to ham up the differences, but they're pretty minor in reality. Given that most Clios are going to require some suspension work at this age anyway, it's more cost-effective to buy a 197 and fit 200 suspension bits. The only major difference is the steering rack.
A very nice thing, with a sensible price in this market, perfect for both road and track use, and yes, if Mrs Windsock allowed, it would be on my driveway in a flash.
However, do you really believe that it is a sensible price?
It has been for sale for months, which may suggest that the market has a different opinion…
Bit pricey this one though when you consider the cost of upgrading a standard one at 6k + 3k on upgrades and you’ve got something very similar
I think a lot of people get confused by the 'Cup model' and 'regular 200 with Cup pack' cars, and wrongly think that a Cup model is more 'focused' somehow.
There is no difference in suspension set-up between a Cup model and a Cup pack car, they're identical. The weight saving of a Cup model is small enough to be negligible in reality, mainly achieved by deleting things you actually really want like air con and a reach adjustable steering column. There's a reason why fewer Cup models were sold originally, but seemingly in the current market any sort of rarity get's hyped up as if it makes a car more desirable.
I think a lot of people get confused by the 'Cup model' and 'regular 200 with Cup pack' cars, and wrongly think that a Cup model is more 'focused' somehow.
There is no difference in suspension set-up between a Cup model and a Cup pack car, they're identical. The weight saving of a Cup model is small enough to be negligible in reality, mainly achieved by deleting things you actually really want like air con and a reach adjustable steering column. There's a reason why fewer Cup models were sold originally, but seemingly in the current market any sort of rarity get's hyped up as if it makes a car more desirable.
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