Clio Renaultsport 200

Renault have been manufacturing hot hatches for more than 30 years, it comes as no surprise then that Renault excell when it comes to small powerfull performance cars.
In 1976 when Volkswagen's Golf GTI was still a year away from launch Renault launched the Renault 5 Gordini and helped re-write the performance small car rule book forever.
Fast forward to today and what you have is a car with a two litre, normally aspirated engine which produces 200BHP at 7,100 RPM and 158lbft torque at 5,400 RPM and capable of achieving 0-62MPH in 6.9 seconds and on to a top speed of 141MPH. Based on the same Alliance B platform as the Clio MK3 and the result of a 29 million Euro investment today's Clio Renaultsport 200 has more than twice the power of it's distant 5 Gordini ancestor.

The Renaultsport suspension system features an innovative double axis strut set up and by removing the steering axis from the damping system completely removes any hint of torque steer. With a track width of 48MM to the front and 50MM to the rear and a 15MM reduction in ride height over the standard car handling is sure footed and excellent. The car rides on 17" light alloy Renaultsport wheels and also benefits from a substantial brake upgrade. 312MM diameter ventilated front discs with powerful Brembo four-pot calipers up front and 300MM discs to the rear. A switchable electronic stability programme is also standard fit to help if things should go wrong.

Styling wise the car is fitted with a F1 inspired front blade, wider front and rear wings and profiled side skirts and an air diffuser integrated within the rear bumper, creating a zone of low pressure under the car, the diffuser reduces lift by a factor of three.

Safety has been high on the list for the Renaultsport 200 and has no less than six airbags fitted as standard. Integrated seatbelt pretensioners ( optional for the rear seats on the 200 cup) and load limiters along with height adjustable front headrests and ISOFIX childseat mounting points ( not on 200 cup). ABS with electronic brake distribution works in conjunction with a stability control system. Renault have also fitted a Thatcham cat 2 alarm system and RAID ( Renault Anti Intuder Device) which automatically locks the doors at speeds over 5MPH.

Two versions of the Clio Renaultsport are available, the Renaultsport 200 and the Renaultsport 200 Cup. The cup version features different chassis settings for an even more focused experience. The standard 200 features more equipment than the cup with the cup chassis available as an option.

Inside features unique to the Renaultsport 200 include purpose made Renaultsport seats, a gear change indicator light with audible warning and unique instrumentation. The cup is available in a choice of four colours; Racing blue, Metallic Nimbus, or the Renault i.d. colours Glacier White or Alien Green. The standard 200 offers the additional choice of Ultra Red, Deep Black, Mercury, Albi Blue or the pearlescent Renault i.d. Liquid Yellow.

Renault have a designated website for Renaultsport owners, www.renaultsport.co.uk . Here owners and fans can find details on the range, take part in a forum and book Renaultsport events.

Standard Equipment Specification

Cup chassis – lower ride height, stiffer springs and dampers, anthracite colour to the wheels, red brake callipers
Electric windows
Six airbags – auto-adaptive driver and passenger, lateral airbags and anti-submarining front seat airbags (the anti-submarining airbags are not fitted to the optional Recaro Renaultsport seats)
ABS with Electronic Brake Distribution
Disconnectable ESP stability control
Rake-adjustable steering column
Leather steering wheel and gear knob

Multi-function trip computer
4 x 20W RDS CD MP3 radio with fingertip steering column controls and RCA socket
17” Renaultsport alloy wheels in anthracite
Thatcham category 2 alarm system
Drilled aluminium pedal facings
RAID (Renault Anti Intruder Device) which automatically locks the doors at over 5mph
Black door mirrors, gloss black finish to the rear diffuser and the centre section of the front bumper