RS Monaco Clio surprise (Renault Clio R.S.16)

[ForceIndia]

But it doesn't have to be a low volume special. That's just up to them.
It's also not that special (relatively) when it only took a team of 10 to knock it up in 5-6 months. As specials go it must come in as one of the quickest and cheapest ever (not including ones that just have a few stickers and a different paint job on them).

It's not cheap lol. It'll have required crash testing etc again, and no matter what people say, dropping a completely different lump in isn't easy. It may have taken them that long to make, but I'd guess that isn't a production ready version. I imagine it's quite a way from production in reality, with crash testing etc still to be done.

Any car could be made into a series production car. But there's a reason why they limit products (trophy, r26r etc). Porsche for instance could sell as many gt4's as they can pump out. But they don't.

 

[realnumber 1]

I realise it's not cheap as such but I don't think the crash test thing is as big as people are making out. It's far cheaper to do than it used to be because most of it is done on computer simulations now with just final testing done on the real thing. Plus it should only need the front impact test redoing.
As for the limited production thing, they should make something like this as a production thing and then make the limited ones from it like with the trophy, r26r etc that were fundamentally exactly the same cars as the lesser models with a few components added/removed.

 

[R3k1355]

All of which is easily possible. I expect this won't make production, but hopefully it gets Renault to stick a manual on the Clio.

Which begs the question why it was never even an optional extra, it's fairly obvious they knew full well the auto box was s**t in the 200T.

Exactly! If they'd done this from the beginning I'd most likely have one on my drive now and not an ST.

You and every other owner up and down the country, especially if it shipped with 220BHP vs the Fiesta's 180BHP.

I was under the impression the 200t has been a good seller in other parts of the world!

Is that in comparison to sales here or is that in comparison to sales of similar cars??

 

[realnumber 1]

Is that in comparison to sales here or is that in comparison to sales of similar cars??

Probably sales here. Although the sales of the clio in general here I'd say have been very good. See them all over the place. Far more popular than say the new Corsa!

 

[botfch]

Really? I've only seen 1 sport so far.

Quick Autotrader show there's only 43 for sale in the UK vs 588 fiesta St's.

 

[Ben.Block]

Which begs the question why it was never even an optional extra, it's fairly obvious they knew full well the auto box was s**t in the 200T.



You and every other owner up and down the country, especially if it shipped with 220BHP vs the Fiesta's 180BHP.



Is that in comparison to sales here or is that in comparison to sales of similar cars??

It should have been standard, make the edc optional. I'm right in saying the Clio shares the B platform with the juke, the car that has the same engine available and with a manual box for 2wd.

 

[realnumber 1]

Really? I've only seen 1 sport so far.

Quick Autotrader show there's only 43 for sale in the UK vs 588 fiesta St's.

Clio in general as in the normal clios!!

Though I have started seeing more RS's about recently. There's even a flamer Trophy near where I work.

 

[botfch]

Clio in general as in the normal clios!!

Ah, yeah I'd probably agree there on par with fiesta, corsa, pug etc

 

[MartinL1993]

I was just about to write exactly this...he makes very very valid points.

Archaic inefficient engine, heavier than the 1.6 it replaces in what was an already overweight hatchback body, but yeah, cor, 'smazin'.

LOL Renault are almost as good as Apple as whipping up the froth and hype!

We're talking about the car are we not?

His points are valid. Melt or not.

Don't forget though and maybe a point they are making is if they can do this to a Clio and make it as quick as a megane same weight and engine aside then what potential could the new megane have in a world where most hot hatches are 300 bhp and over

 

[Clio_fool]

A four door clio with no back seats? I seem to recall renault struggled to shift all the r26 r's, no back seats in a hatchback a commonly phrased reason for people not willing to shell out on one.

 

[Fletcher]

A four door clio with no back seats? I seem to recall renault struggled to shift all the r26 r's, no back seats in a hatchback a commonly phrased reason for people not willing to shell out on one.

The R26.R was sold at a bad time, just as last recession hit IIRC. The mini GP didn't come with rear seats and that sold well. I personally would rather the new Clio RS 16 didn't have rear seats.

 

[ForceIndia]

I can understand no rear seats in a 2/3dr. But a 4/5 Dr? Absolutely pointless. Only thing that achieves is losing customers.

 

[Ex-User (19928)]

Indeed. You might aswell weld the doors shut. Which would be equally mental.

 

[Al_G]

Looks absolutely brilliant.

Surely is not a two seater?

Anyone that puts this in the same bracket as a V6 or 5 Turbo 2 needs to put down the crack pipe.

 

[green]

Was there any announcement from Renault about this ?

 

[The Boosh!]

Was there any announcement from Renault about this ?

There was a press release, which Ron posted earlier. You can also get it at press.renault.co.uk.
Currently it's a concept car that may be produced in limited numbers, but equally it may not - Still TBC.
If this car is commercialised it will need to be hand built. It will not roll down the factory production line like some other models, it's all bespoke.

 

[ColinG]

I'm still working out how I can afford one of these! It's really got me excited!

 

[andy_coops]

Sure it wasn't the XJ220 engined one? That's usually at Goodwood somewhere.

Sure is and I had a ride in it the day it passed its first MOT. In the wet, in rush hour traffic. Perks of the job
Back OT, I like what Renault have showcased here and if some of the features trickle through to larger production models then that's good too. £40k for any hot hatch is steep IMO regardless of the badge (if a car's genuinely brilliant then that's it, end of).
As a teaser of what they might produce as a range topping Clio I reckon it's good - the current model has been criticized against older school offerings from Ford & Peugeot which is a shame as from where I'm sat, Renault have produced the best hot hatches of the last 20 or so years.

 

[R3k1355]

from where I'm sat, Renault have produced the best hot hatches of the last 20 or so years.

Along with Honda

 

[Chris15]

Nah the FN2 looked poop! the EK9, EP3, DC5 looked great though! The new one looks poop too lol

 

[massiveCoRbyn]

Peugeot fans might have something to say about that argument too lol.

205 GTI, 106 Rallye, 106 GTI, 306 GTI, 306 Rallye, 309 GTI etc etc

As might Ford....RS Turbo Escort, Escort Cosworth, Focus RS (all of them), Fiesta ST, Focus ST.

 

[Chris15]

Problem with Peugeot is everything after the 306GTI-6 was crap, the 206GTI sold well but was slow and the 206 GTI 180 wasn't as good as its opponents. Then literally nothing until the new 208gti.

For ford, the fiesta after the Mk3 XR2i/rs turbo/rs1800 wasnt great, every fiesta after wasn't terrible but for years they were quite slow. The first ST with the 2 litre lump still wasn't as good as the clio. However the focus as always been awesome and the new fiesta st is also good.

So I'm with @andy_coops on Renault and to add to that even while the clio 200t isn't perfect (still faster than the fiesta), the megane has been up there with the best.

 

[andy_coops]

Twice 205 owner here so not bashing Peugeot at all BUT after the 106 Rallye they haven't made a good one until the 208. Hence my timeframe of 20-ish years :wink:
Can't comment on Honda as I only drove a Type R once and wondered where all the grunt was lol.
Ford - I agree with both of the above. Bit hit & miss whole Renault were banging out brilliance between R5 GTT onwards without serious exception.

 

[david hodson]

Theres a article in this weeks autocar magazine 34k in france which means it could be 40k when it hits uk shores
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/renault-clio-rs16-revealed-monaco

 

[Ex-User (19928)]

Theres a article in this weeks autocar magazine 34k in france which means it could be 40k when it hits uk shores
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/renault-clio-rs16-revealed-monaco

That's from a week ago.

No one knows the price yet.

 

[Matthew]

How anyone could put £40K into a Clio (I dont care how 'crazy' it is - and if thats how much it will be) is beyond me. Wheel arches and spoiler aside, your still looking at that nasty interior. How much are BMW 1Ms going for? I know where my money would be going...

 

[Chris15]

How anyone could put £40K into a Clio (I dont care how 'crazy' it is - and if thats how much it will be) is beyond me. Wheel arches and spoiler aside, your still looking at that nasty interior. How much are BMW 1Ms going for? I know where my money would be going...

I think this is all speculation, Renault haven't even said it's going into production yet, it's all hype!

Also why would you want to become a BMW driver lol!

 

[R3k1355]

Peugeot fans might have something to say about that argument too lol.

205 GTI, 106 Rallye, 106 GTI, 306 GTI, 306 Rallye, 309 GTI etc etc

As might Ford....RS Turbo Escort, Escort Cosworth, Focus RS (all of them), Fiesta ST, Focus ST.

Technically the guy said "in the last twenty years" so really your list boils down to the Focus(s) and the 306, which is a f**king s**t selection when you think about it.

 

[BoatNonce]

And the focus was only awesome because it was a Volvo :wink:

 

[massiveCoRbyn]

And the focus was only awesome because it was a Volvo :wink:

The MK1 wasn't a Volvo

 

[Cazper]

Certainly looks nice but for that money I would get a second hand "M"

 

[BoatNonce]

The MK1 wasn't a Volvo :tongueout:

I'll give them that one.

 

[Fishes]

271.... 172 backwards.
my daily driver 360 bhp entertainment 85%
172 pocket rocket, entertainment 100%
more power doesn't equal more fun and at that price I would have
a mint clio williams
a mint 172
a mint 182
and a sack of cash spare

 

[ForceIndia]

Along with Honda

What lol? I'm assuming that's Internet sarcasm not coming through.

 

[GiT]

Twice 205 owner here so not bashing Peugeot at all BUT after the 106 Rallye they haven't made a good one until the 208. Hence my timeframe of 20-ish years :wink:

Let's look at this. S1 Rallye 106 I presume you mean? 1993-96 so Hot hatches after 1996...

The S2 Rallye was alright but not in the same league for rawness as the 1.3. So that's out.
The S2 106 GTi. 100% IN - These were a riot. Yip, daft small pedals but up there easily with Renaults offerings @ 120bhp odd.
The 306 S16 - Yes, but too old.
The 306 Rallye. 100% IN - These were fantastic. 167bhp or so offerings from Renault were again on par.
The 306 GTi-6. 100% IN. Top Drawer, but with toys.
206's? No. The 180 was ok but missed the mark.
207's? Erm lmao. No.
307's? Jog on!
308 GTi 250/270 - Back on form!
208 GTi, again - Back on form.

Non Hatches... 3.0 V6 406 Coupe was a stonker.

Change the statement to "After the 306 GTi-6, they haven't made a good one until the 308/208" and people will agree whole-heartedly with you.

 

[ForceIndia]

The rcz is decent as well

 

[Howsey74]

Limited run of 300, I'm guessing it'll be pushing £35k+. If I'd know this was in the pipeline I wouldn't have ordered a Focus RS. I'm not kidding.

 

[andy_coops]

I was generalising. Peugeot have had a very dry spell that's all. And the 406 isn't a hot hatch on anyone's planet.

 

[Chris V6 255]

Limited run of 300, I'm guessing it'll be pushing £35k+. If I'd know this was in the pipeline I wouldn't have ordered a Focus RS. I'm not kidding.

Get an order placed & sell the FRS for a profit, job done!

 

[BoatNonce]

Let's look at this. S1 Rallye 106 I presume you mean? 1993-96 so Hot hatches after 1996...

The S2 Rallye was alright but not in the same league for rawness as the 1.3. So that's out.
The S2 106 GTi. 100% IN - These were a riot. Yip, daft small pedals but up there easily with Renaults offerings @ 120bhp odd.
The 306 S16 - Yes, but too old.
The 306 Rallye. 100% IN - These were fantastic. 167bhp or so offerings from Renault were again on par.
The 306 GTi-6. 100% IN. Top Drawer, but with toys.
206's? No. The 180 was ok but missed the mark.
207's? Erm lmao. No.
307's? Jog on!
308 GTi 250/270 - Back on form!
208 GTi, again - Back on form.

Non Hatches... 3.0 V6 406 Coupe was a stonker.

Change the statement to "After the 306 GTi-6, they haven't made a good one until the 308/208" and people will agree whole-heartedly with you.

Special mention must go to the 307 WRC for being an epic looking rally car though.