Clio RS updates
'Phase 2' Clio Renault Sport 200 and 220 Trophy announced
Anyway. More than enough has been said already about the reasons for the current Clio 200 EDC not quite living up to the expectation heaped upon it. We've had the arrival of the 220hp Trophy, with its extra power, tweaked suspension and (apparently) sharper tune for the controversial dual-clutch only transmission. And then we had the mad R.S.16 concept, with its manual gearbox, fancy Megane front struts and bigger 275hp 2.0-litre engine.
Sorry to disappoint but these modifications are NOT part of this Phase 2 upgrade, though we're crossing our fingers for a limited (and expensive) run of production cars based on a similar spec.
There is some R.S.16 influence in the way the car looks though, not least in the front DRLs shaped like Renault Sport's logo. These are a much smarter and more integrated look than the current ones and put further ground between the RS and 'regular' Clios, the system known as R.S. Vision and incorporating DRL, sidelight, foglight and dipped beam functions. It also looks very cool.
There are new 18-inch wheel options too, plus a general spruce-up of branding and trim. Further R.S.16 influence comes in the shape of an optional Akrapovic titanium exhaust system, following on from a relationship established between the two brands on the Megane Trophy-R project. No numbers are claimed but we're promised it offers "an instantly recognisable sound and ensures more sprightly acceleration" for a premium yet to be disclosed. No need to choose from the menu of fake engine noise any more, one hopes.
As Renault is keen to point out, there is an RS Clio for all tastes (apart from those who want a manual gearbox, mutter, grumble) with three chassis options and two power levels. Sport with the regular suspension, 17- or 18-inch wheels is the 'regular' choice, Cup shares its 200hp output and has 18s as standard along with a sharper chassis while Trophy gives you 220hp as before and a yet-stiffer chassis with 20mm and 10mm take out of the front/rear ride height. In its most potent Trophy form it hits 0-62 in 6.6 seconds and tops out at 146mph.
We'll consider this another step in the right direction. And hope the R.S.16 project gets signed off as a production car for Clio fans with sufficiently deep pockets wanting to drive the car the latest RS always should have been!
*We'll henceforth defer to the new branding and split the 'Renault' from the 'Sport'
But no, they give us some "sporty" lights & an exhaust that makes it sound like a hoover.
Oh RenaultSport, where have you gone ?
Love my Renaultsports, had 7, but not attracted by any of their current fferings for myself. Getting an Abarth 595 Competizione with performance pack for my hot hatch kicks I think
172 182 cup trophy etc had that exciting feeling when you drove them. I prefer a raw mk1 valver or williams feel though, plus the seats are some of the comfiest I've ever sat on.
It's just gone the "new car" way and turned st. I'm not doubting its capabilities, they're just utterly boring.
If only they'd do some kind of V6 or 90s group a rally special...
The addition of an Akrapovic exhaust will certainly help bring back some of the drama.
I had a Megane 250 Cup and swapped it for a Clio 220T. It's just as fun to drive and I don't miss the Megane one bit - not something I expected at all!
Edit: To add though, I did expect more to change on the facelift. It would have been nice to have the arch extensions from the RS16 (after all, they're only stick on, same as the Megane). It would make sense to offer a manual gearbox, especially now you can have one on the GT model. That said, the gearbox is great (I didn't drive the original 200T) on the 220T, I think it's one of the best parts of the car.
Maybe I'm old fashioned, and having only driven extensively in a 182, and test drives in a 182 Trophy, and a 197, I just think something like the Clio Sport should stick to 3 door manual gearbox hot hatch.
It would be interesting to see a comparison of the 1st Megane 225 vs this Clio 220 that is coming out.
That said, I like the way it looks and I bet it drives very well. The comment about 'armchair reviewers' is very apt for this car because all of the coverage when it was released was vs. the ST which is a very different offering.
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