Thursday 26th June 2014

Renaultsport Clio 200 goes rallying

NA to turbo for R3T rally car now also, but with 242hp

---

Don't worry, it sounds better than the road car. With the Renaultsport Clio rally car now switching from a 2.0-litre NA engine to a 1.6 turbo, there was a fear it could sound a little dull in comparison. See here for proof of the fabulous noise made by the previous Clio R3. Fortunately, the testing videos of the new Clio R3T reveal it make all the pops and bangs we'd want from a junior rally car.

Testing's complete, to Scotland!

With nearly 400 of the old cars sold to private teams and drivers, the Clio R3T is an important product for RenaultSport Technologies. Though regulations dictate the car looks fairly similar to the roadgoing Clio, underneath there are a wealth of changes. Most interestingly power is up to 242hp and only needs servicing every 4,000km which is apparently a category running time record. The EDC goes for a sequential six-speed and paddles are an option. There's that tenuous road car

Wheels are 17 inches on tarmac or 15 for gravel and of course the suspension is adjustable for the ideal stage set up.

After the excellent Cup racer, the R3T is the second motorsport model to be derived from the 200 EDC road car. Imbuing a little of the racing cars' spirit could well turn the road car into the Renaultsport Clio many are clamouring for, couldn't it?

Anyway, the R3T makes its rally debut at this weekend's Scottish Rally. All that's known about cost so far is that it's 'more controlled than ever before'. The Cup is 40,000 euros however so we would expect something in that area.

[V8 FOU]

Excellent!

Hurry up with the road version,eh?

[firebird350]

Sorry! That wouldn't get me into the forests to spectate (nor trekking up the Col de Turini).

[Fantuzzi]

I think I'd still rather be sideways in Abarths option! Glad to see it in the lower classes of the WRC.

[PublicDrifter]

This


Or this


I know which one made me trek through miles of Welsh forest. I definitely won't be making the same effort to watch Clios wheeze, whistle and fart past. I guess we must move with the times though!

BUT....it's always good to see rallying given space on PistonHeads. Keep up the good work lads.

Edited by PublicDrifter on Thursday 26th June 21:47

Edited by PublicDrifter on Thursday 26th June 21:55

[Sampaio]

40k? I thought brand new rally cars cost much more, even if they're just these "junior" ones.

[Baryonyx]

PublicDrifter said:

This


Or this


I know which one made me trek through miles of Welsh forest. I definitely won't be making the same effort to watch Clios wheeze, whistle and fart past. I guess we must move with the times though!

BUT....it's always good to see rallying given space on pistonheads.com Keep up the good work lads.

Edited by PublicDrifter on Thursday 26th June 19:35

Edited by PublicDrifter on Thursday 26th June 19:37

I can't work out what either of the vehicles are. Is the second one an ice cream van?

[MajorProblem]

Sounds nice just needs to be louder...

http://youtu.be/C3Xuzb7JUDg

[PublicDrifter]

Baryonyx said:

I can't work out what either of the vehicles are. Is the second one an ice cream van?

If the videos work, it should show Andy Burtons Peugeot Cosworth followed by Charlie Payne in a Focus WRC.

[w00tman]

PublicDrifter said:

This


Or this

F'kin hell what did you film these on - a potato??

[PublicDrifter]

w00tman said:

F'kin hell what did you film these on - a potato??

Apologies, I originally posted from my phone, I didn't realise how truly shocking the quality was. Alternatives to follow.

[PublicDrifter]

This

http://youtu.be/c32G3zGD6pM

[GreedyBen]

400 cars, that's about x 4 the amount of road going versions they have sold isn't it?

[SteveSteveson]

Why can't people accept motorsport moves on... Drama and noise may be fun to watch but they are wasted energy. The ideal race car in any race would be completely silent and run like it was on rails. More turnovers in rugby or more penalties in football might make the game more exciting, but are both contrary to the aims of the team. Same with noise and drama in Motorsport.

2400 mile servicing, £32k and road legal (I guess as rally cars have to go on the road between stages)... Hum. That would have to go on "my lotto" to try list...

[NorthBank]

SteveSteveson said:

Why can't people accept motorsport moves on... Drama and noise may be fun to watch but they are wasted energy. The ideal race car in any race would be completely silent and run like it was on rails. More turnovers in rugby or more penalties in football might make the game more exciting, but are both contrary to the aims of the team. Same with noise and drama in Motorsport.

2400 mile servicing, £32k and road legal (I guess as rally cars have to go on the road between stages)... Hum. That would have to go on "my lotto" to try list...

Is it a different box to the Clio Cup, wasn't that was a bit of pig for real road driving?

[Mark Smith]

PublicDrifter said:

This

http://youtu.be/c32G3zGD6pM

Andy Burton's rally car was truly awesome! Saw and heard it many times out in the forests before it got banned. The boise and speed was just incredible and made the hairs stand up on the back of your neck.

Maybe Renaultsport could build a Megane rally car from the 265 chassis.