Motor Authority - blog Tag: Clio

Renault just unveiled the brand-new Clio in February and barely a month later it was out with the hotted-up Renaultsport (RS) variant in Geneva. The car features many of the same performance upgrades found on bigger brother the Megane RS, but in a more compact and peaky package. Now we have a new set of photos to ogle as Renault prepares for the car's May 15 UK launch followed by an end-of-June start to sales.

The engine is definitely a pint-sized powerhouse, but it pays the price with a torque curve biased toward the higher end. The 2.0L 16-valve unit generates 200hp (149kW) but does so at 7,100rpm, with max torque of 158lb-ft (215Nm)... Renault just unveiled the brand-new Clio in February and barely a month later it was out with the hotted-up Renaultsport (RS) variant in Geneva. The car features many of the same performance upgrades found on bigger brother the Megane RS, but in a more compact and peaky package. Now we have a new set of photos to ogle as Renault prepares for the car's May 15 UK launch followed by an end-of-June start to sales. The engine is definitely a pint-sized powerhouse, but it pays the price with a torque curve biased toward the higher end. The 2.0L 16-valve unit generates 200hp (149kW) but does so at 7,100rpm, with max torque of 158lb-ft (215Nm) coming at 5,400rpm. Despite the peaky power curve, the car still manages a power-to-weight ratio of 166hp/tonne, enough to shoot the little hatch to 62mph (100km/h) in a tick under 7 seconds and on to a top speed of 141mph. A choice of two chassis tunings is available, the Cup which is 36kg lighter and sportier, or the standard, which sacrifices less in the way of comfort. All Clio RS models get the same aerodynamics package, complete with functional front-wing air extractors, a functional rear diffuser and a front splitter for added downforce. Braking is handled by big Brembo calipers, and 17in alloy wheels wrapped in 215-section-width rubber keep the car planted to the road. A widened track - 48mm front and 50mm rear - improves handling, while a 10mm longer wheelbase adds high-speed stability. Renaultsport badging on the outside and inside of the car lets everyone know this is no normal Clio. Inside, the Clio RS gets optional custom Recaro seating, a choice of sporty Silver Grey/Yellow/Anthracite color schemes, and contrasting stitching. Aluminum pedal covers and Renaultsport branding on the rev-counter background, door sills and front seats. Despite all the sporty demeanor, the Clio RS still checks in with combined fuel efficiency rated at 34.5mpg and CO2 emissions of just 195g/km.2009 Renault Clio RS2009 Renault Clio RS at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show Read More

The best way to make a small fortune in motorsports? Start with a large one. Yes, the old adage is true as ever, but it need not always be, at least in a few cases. The Renault Sport Experience is one way to get some track time on the cheap, and it's getting ready to hit some of the most famous tracks throughout Europe.

The 2009 Renault Sport Experience merges the Renault Sport Enthusiast Days, which has been going on each year since 2005, with the Twingo Renault Sport Driving Tuition Days. The end result: you can get on track in a Clio Cup car for just €30 ($38.50).

Existing Renault Sport owners can drive during the track days as... The best way to make a small fortune in motorsports? Start with a large one. Yes, the old adage is true as ever, but it need not always be, at least in a few cases. The Renault Sport Experience is one way to get some track time on the cheap, and it's getting ready to hit some of the most famous tracks throughout Europe. The 2009 Renault Sport Experience merges the Renault Sport Enthusiast Days, which has been going on each year since 2005, with the Twingo Renault Sport Driving Tuition Days. The end result: you can get on track in a Clio Cup car for just €30 ($38.50). Existing Renault Sport owners can drive during the track days as well, while those who don't own an RS vehicle can rent rides, including the Megane R26.R hatch, as part of a coached lapping opportunity. Sixteen track days are scheduled, plus an additional four Driving Tuition Days. The tuition days offer a chance not just to drive the open track, but to learn and improve your skills. There's even a chance to drive a Formula Renault 2.0. One of the four days is reserved for women only, to help draw in participation from females. Six additional dates are scheduled to offer a chance to see the Renault-Alpine plant in Dieppe, where Renault Sport's motoring tradition was founded. Famed circuits on the track schedule include Brands Hatch in the UK, Spa-Francorchamps and Le Mans in France, and Zolder in Belgium, among many others.Renault Megane R26.R Read More

The Clio line of cars are very popular in Europe due to the flexibility of their small size, wide range of body styles and relatively long features list. To help bolster the range and boost sales further, Renault has today revealed a facelifted version of the basic three-door hatchback.

The new car will enter the market as a 2010 model and make its debut at next month’s Geneva Motor Show. Taking styling cues from the recently revealed Megane, the facelifted Clio features an updated front-end, revised tail-lamps, and a new rear bumper. The reversing lights and foglamps have also been positioned low down and to the extreme corners of... The Clio line of cars are very popular in Europe due to the flexibility of their small size, wide range of body styles and relatively long features list. To help bolster the range and boost sales further, Renault has today revealed a facelifted version of the basic three-door hatchback. The new car will enter the market as a 2010 model and make its debut at next month’s Geneva Motor Show. Taking styling cues from the recently revealed Megane, the facelifted Clio features an updated front-end, revised tail-lamps, and a new rear bumper. The reversing lights and foglamps have also been positioned low down and to the extreme corners of the rear bumper. Inside, there are new trim choices and an optional Carminat TomTom GPS navigation system integrated into the upper part of the center console. Co-developed with TomTom, the Carminat system is updateable via the internet and has a 5.8in color screen. It includes traffic and speed limit information, as well as speed camera locations. Also new is the introduction of a Clio ‘GT’ model. The GT comes with a glossy black grille, extended side sills, stiffened suspension, a lip spoiler, and twin exhaust tailpipes. It also features drilled aluminum pedal covers and sporty bucket seats with GT-badging.2010 Renault Clio faceliftRenault Clio III GT Read More

The Clio line of cars is quite popular in Europe thanks to its small size, wide range of body styles and relatively long features list. To help bolster the range and boost sales further, Renault has today released a new up-spec version of its Clio Estate, called the Exception, for sale throughout Europe.

Renault already markets a version of the Clio hatch under the Exception moniker, which is a special-edition title used for upgraded equipment models. The Estate Exception is hoped to add a new dimension to the already popular Clio Estate, which constitutes 1 in 7, or about 15%, of all Clios sold in Europe.

The upgraded features of the... The Clio line of cars is quite popular in Europe thanks to its small size, wide range of body styles and relatively long features list. To help bolster the range and boost sales further, Renault has today released a new up-spec version of its Clio Estate, called the Exception, for sale throughout Europe. Renault already markets a version of the Clio hatch under the Exception moniker, which is a special-edition title used for upgraded equipment models. The Estate Exception is hoped to add a new dimension to the already popular Clio Estate, which constitutes 1 in 7, or about 15%, of all Clios sold in Europe. The upgraded features of the Exception trim include all the features of the Dynamique equipment level (front and side airbags, front and rear curtain airbags, manual climate control, leather steering wheel and shift knob, foglamps, flat boot floor), plus 15" alloy wheels, darker-tinted rear glass, partial leather seating surfaces, plus cruise control with speed limiter. Cargo capacity is 14.5 cubic feet (410 cubic decimeters), offering a good amount of space for gear. A typical range of engines is available, including dCi (diesel) engines in 85 and 105 demarcations. The dCi 85 is available with either a five-speed manual or a five-speed robotized 'QuickShift' transmission, while the dCi 105 is available only with a six-speed manual. The dCi 85 is good for 53.45mpg (4.4L/100km) in either version, while the dCi 105-powered car gets 51.1mpg (4.6L/100km) in standard trim and 50.0mpg (4.7L/100km) in DPF trim. Two petrol engines, the TCe 100 and 1.6 16V 100, area also available, rated at 40.55mpg (5.8L/100km) and 31.3mpg (7.5L/100km) respectively. Already on sale in France, the car is now being expanded throughout seven more European countries including Austria, Belgium, Germany and Italy. Pricing starts at €17,400 ($23,389).Renault Clio Estate Exception Read More

Though the brand isn't sold in the U.S., Renault is known the world over for its Renault Sport brand and rally-bred hot hatches. The Clio Renault Sport R3 Maxi is one such vehicle, and now the French company has developed a lower-cost Access version to make entry into rally racing even easier.

Powered by a 2.0L F4R RS four-cylinder engine generating 200hp (149kW) and 158lb-ft (214Nm) of torque, the little hatch features many race-specific additions and enhancements to make it suitable for the stresses handed out on the average rally stage. A fully welded roll cage, beefed up suspension components, six-speed gearbox and limited slip... Though the brand isn't sold in the U.S., Renault is known the world over for its Renault Sport brand and rally-bred hot hatches. The Clio Renault Sport R3 Maxi is one such vehicle, and now the French company has developed a lower-cost Access version to make entry into rally racing even easier. Powered by a 2.0L F4R RS four-cylinder engine generating 200hp (149kW) and 158lb-ft (214Nm) of torque, the little hatch features many race-specific additions and enhancements to make it suitable for the stresses handed out on the average rally stage. A fully welded roll cage, beefed up suspension components, six-speed gearbox and limited slip differential all make for a very competent asphalt-only rally car. Other special concessions for racing duty have been made as well: the gearshift is no longer out of the way, but beside the steering wheel for quick access, a special Sabelt safety system taken largely from the higher-end Maxi racing variant, and the stock pedal system has been strengthened to withstand the strain of racing. The Access can also be upgraded with a range of Premium kits for the chassis, brakes and engine. The end result of this upgrade path is the same specification as the Maxi R3. While the car is far from inexpensive by road-car standards, its entry price of $45,200 (€32,600) in France is very reasonable for a race-ready car. Peugeot estimates the cost of competition to be roughly $37/mi (€17/km).Clio Renault Sport R3 Maxi and Clio Renault Sport R3 Access Read More