Clio V6 Renault Sport

Last updated
Renault Clio V6 Renault Sport
RenaultClioV6.jpg
Renault Clio V6 Phase 2
Overview
Manufacturer Renault Sport
Also calledRenault Clio V6
Renault Lutécia Sport V6 (Japan)
Production2001–2005
Body and chassis
Class Sport compact
Body style 2-door hatchback
Layout Rear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Related Renault Clio
Powertrain
Engine 2.9 L (2,946 cc) ESL V6 24v
Transmission 6-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase Phase 2 – 2,530 mm (99.6 in) Phase 1 – 2,510 mm (98.8 in)
Length3,830 mm (150.8 in)
Width1,940 mm (76.4 in)
Height1,420 mm (55.9 in)
Curb weight Phase 1 – 1,355 kg (2,987 lb) Phase 2 – 1,400 kg (3,086 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor Renault 5 Turbo
Successor Renault Mégane RS

The Renault Clio V6 Renault Sport is a rear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout sport compact based on the Renault Clio launched in 2001. Designed by French automaker Renault the Phase 1 models were built by Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR) in Uddevalla, Sweden and Phase 2 were designed and hand built by Renault Sport in Dieppe, France. Both variants were developed by TWR. The mid-engined, wide-body concept of the Clio V6 was very reminiscent of the 1980s Renault 5 Turbo. [1] Both road going models were low volume production making them very rare cars. Alongside the road car, a circuit only version was produced, known as the Clio V6 Trophy. This was a full competition car, with sequential Sadev gearbox, full roll cage, magnesium wheels and engine output upped to 285 PS (210 kW; 281 bhp).

Contents

Clio V6 Trophy (1999–2003)

The Trophy is a competition car built in Renaultsports' Dieppe facility. Built as a single make series competition car to promote the new Clio 2 range, the Clio V6 Trophy series replaced the Renaultsport Spider Trophy, which finished in 1998. Starting with the shell of a front wheel drive standard Clio, the cars were completely reworked to house a 3litre V6 engine (derived from the PSA group engine used in the Renault Laguna). The race cars inspired the construction of a road going car, which resulted in the Clio V6 released in 2001. Whilst it bears a striking resemblance to the road cars, it was completely different, only sharing very minor body parts.

There were 159 cars built between 1999 and 2003.

Clio V6 Phase 1 (2001–2003)

Renault Clio V6 Phase 1 Clio-V6.JPG
Renault Clio V6 Phase 1

The Clio V6 was based on the Clio Mk II, though it shares very few parts with that car. The 3.0 60° V6 ES9 engine, sourced from the PSA group was upgraded to around 230 PS (169 kW; 227 bhp) and placed in the middle of the vehicle where standard Clios have rear seats – making this car a two-seater hot hatch.

In order to accommodate the radical change from front-engine, front-wheel drive hatchback to mid-engine, rear-wheel drive two-seater quasi-coupé, the car had to be extensively reworked structurally, leading to the Phase 1 version being some 300 kg (660 lb) heavier than the sportiest "regular" Clio, the 172 Cup. Due to this, even though the V6 model had significantly more power, it was not remarkably faster in a straight line accelerating to legal road speeds than the 172 Cup – accelerating to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 6.2 seconds compared to the Cup's 6.7 seconds – though its maximum speed was significantly higher, 146 mph (235 km/h) compared to 138 mph (222 km/h). The raw sound and weight of the V6 engine just behind the driver and RWD made the driving experience very different from the normal front engined front wheel drive car.

There were 1,631 production cars built in total between 2001 and 2002. [2]

Clio V6 Phase 2 (2003–2005)

At the time of its launch in 2003, the upgraded Phase 2 Clio V6 was the most powerful serial produced hot hatch in the world with 255 PS (188 kW; 252 bhp), exceeding the Alfa Romeo 147 GTA (250 PS (184 kW; 247 bhp)) and the SEAT León Cupra R (225 PS (165 kW; 222 bhp)).[ citation needed ]

Renault Clio V6 rear view (Phase 2) 2006 RenaultSport Clio V6 255 (10841989633).jpg
Renault Clio V6 rear view (Phase 2)

Though based on a utilitarian hatchback, the Clio V6 is not a practical family car. With an average fuel consumption of 24 miles per imperial gallon (12 L/100 km; 20 mpgUS), [3] this resulted in an empty fuel tank in just over 300 miles (480 km). The loss of the back seats and most of the boot space, due to the engine placement, results in a severe restriction in luggage space – there is only a small space in the front where the engine used to be, suitable for a holdall or week-end groceries, a small netted area behind the seats plus a small stash area under the tailgate. The enhanced steering makes tight manoeuvring a little challenging, the turning circle is 13 m (42.7 ft) – around three car lengths – turning what might normally be a three-point turn into a five-point turn. The Clio V6 Phase 2 gained even more weight, but offset it with an additional 80 horsepower. This resulted in a reduced 0–60 mph (97 km/h) run at 5.9 seconds and a top speed of 153 mph (246 km/h).

Standard equipment includes rain sensing windscreen wipers, automatic headlights, air conditioning, and six speakers and CD changer. The Phase 2 Clio V6 retailed for £27,125 in the United Kingdom, until it was withdrawn from sale in 2005 coinciding with a facelift for the Clio range. The long-term reviews in Evo magazine were enthusiastic, claiming "It's a modern classic" for the Phase 2 version. [4] Jeremy Clarkson once referred to the Clio V6 as one of his top 10 cars. [5]

There were 1,309 production cars built in total between 2003 and 2005. [2]

Engines

ModelEngineYears Power Torque Displacement
Trophy ES9J4 V6 1999-2003285 PS (281 bhp; 210 kW)307 N⋅m (226 lb⋅ft)2,946 cc (2.9 L; 179.8 cu in)
Phase 1 ES9J4 V6 2001-2003230 PS (227 bhp; 169 kW)300 N⋅m (221 lb⋅ft)2,946 cc (2.9 L; 179.8 cu in)
Phase 2 ES9J4 V6 2003-2005255 PS (252 bhp; 188 kW)300 N⋅m (221 lb⋅ft)2,946 cc (2.9 L; 179.8 cu in)

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford Sierra</span> Motor vehicle

The Ford Sierra is a mid-size car or large family car manufactured and marketed by Ford Europe from 1982–1993, designed by Uwe Bahnsen, Robert Lutz and Patrick le Quément — and noted for its aerodynamic styling producing a drag coefficient of 0.34, a significant improvement over its predecessors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hot hatch</span> Faster version of a mass-produced hatchback car

A hot hatch is a fast version of a hatchback car. The term originated in the mid-1980s; however, faster factory versions of hatchbacks have been produced since the 1970s. A front-mounted engine that uses petrol for fuel, together with front-wheel drive, is the most common powertrain layout, however all-wheel drive has become more commonly used since around 2010. Most hot hatches are of European or Asian origin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Citroën AX</span> Motor vehicle

The Citroën AX is a supermini which was built by the French manufacturer Citroën from 1986 to 1998. It was launched at the 1986 Paris Motor Show to replace the Citroën Visa and Citroën LNA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SEAT León</span> Hatchback compact car

The SEAT León, also spelled Leon in some other languages, is a hatchback compact car built by the Spanish car manufacturer SEAT since October 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Renault Clio</span> Motor vehicle

The Renault Clio is a supermini (B-segment) car, produced by French automobile manufacturer Renault. It was launched in 1990, and entered its fifth generation in 2019. The Clio has had substantial critical and commercial success, being consistently one of Europe's top-selling cars since its launch, and it is largely credited with restoring Renault's reputation and stature after a difficult second half of the 1980s. The Clio is one of only two cars, the other being the Volkswagen Golf, to have been voted European Car of the Year twice, in 1991 and 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Renault Mégane</span> Car model manufactured by Renault

The Renault Mégane, also spelled without the acute accent as Megane, especially in languages other than French, and also known as the Renault Megavan for an LCV in Ireland, as the Renault Scala in Iran and as the Renault Mégane Grandcoupé for the saloon in Israel, Palestinian Authority and Serbia for certain generations, is a small family car produced by the French car manufacturer Renault for the 1996 model year, and was the successor to the Renault 19. The Mégane has been offered in three- and five-door hatchback, saloon, coupé, convertible and estate bodystyles at various points in its lifetime, and having been through four generations is now in its fifth incarnation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Renault 5</span> Hatchback car (1972–1996)

The Renault 5 is a five-passenger, three or five-door, front-engine, front-wheel drive hatchback supermini manufactured and marketed by the French automaker Renault over two generations: 1972–1985 and 1984–1996. The R5 was marketed in the US and Canada as Le Car, from 1976 until 1983. Renault marketed a four-door sedan variant, the Renault 7, manufactured from 1974 until 1984 in Spain by Renault's subsidiary FASA-Renault and exported to select markets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Renault 25</span> Motor vehicle

The Renault 25 is an executive car produced by the French automaker Renault from 1983 to 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lotus Exige</span> Car model

The Lotus Exige is a sports car made by the British company Lotus Cars from 2000 until 2021. Originally a coupé version of the Lotus Elise roadster, since the Series 3 the Exige has been the larger-engined model of the family, featuring a V6 engine in place of the Elise's straight-four. Convertible versions of both models are available.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MG ZR</span> Motor vehicle

The MG ZR is an MG branded "hot hatch" version of the Rover 25 supermini class car, produced by MG Rover at their Longbridge plant in Birmingham from 2001 to 2005. Compared to the Rover 25, the ZR featured a number of styling modifications and performance enhancements, such as updated sports suspension and a less baffled exhaust.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Renault 5 Turbo</span> Motor vehicle

The Renault 5 Turbo or R5 Turbo is a sport hatchback automobile launched by the French manufacturer Renault at the Brussels Motor Show in January 1980. The car was primarily designed for rallying, but was also sold in a street version.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Simca 1100</span> Motor vehicle

The Simca 1100 are a series of French compact family cars – mainly C-segment hatchbacks, but also a compact wagon and popular delivery vans – built for over 15 years by French car-maker Simca, from 1967 through 1982/1985. There was even a very early 'hot hatchback', and a family cross-over: the Matra Simca Rancho. The hatchbacks were replaced by the Simca-Talbot Horizon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Renault 20/30</span> Motor vehicle

The Renault 20(R20) and Renault 30(R30) are two executive cars produced by the French automaker Renault between 1975 and 1984. The most upmarket and expensive Renaults of their time, the two cars were almost identical with regard to sheet metal and mechanicals; the R30 was the larger-engined and more expensive of the two. The two cars were easily distinguished between each other from their differing headlight configuration – the Renault 20 had two single rectangular headlights, whereas the Renault 30 had quadruple round headlights. The interior specifications differed substantially, however, with the Renault 30 having a higher specification in all models. Over 622,000 R20s and 145,000 R30s were produced in Sandouville near Le Havre, France.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Renault Sport Spider</span> Motor vehicle

The Renault Sport Spider is a roadster produced by the French automaker Renault Sport, a subsidiary of Renault, between 1996 and 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VXR</span>

VXR is the branding for the high performance trim specification, used since 2004 for models in many of Vauxhall's car range in the United Kingdom. Holden has also used the VXR badge for some of its high-performance cars such as the Astra VXR, Insignia VXR, and the Commodore VXR.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Renault Mégane RS</span> High performance version of the Renault Mégane

The Renault Mégane Renault Sport is a series of high-performance hatchback models based on the Renault Mégane, produced since 2004 by the high-performance subsidiary company Renault Sport for its parent company Alpine, a subsidiary of Renault. The Mégane RS won awards such as "Best hot hatch" from What car? (2010–2014), "Highest placed non-supercar" in Evo's annual Car of the Year test 2011 and "Best hot hatch" from Top Gear.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clio Renault Sport</span> Hot hatch produced since 1998 by Renault Sport

The Clio Renault Sport is a hot hatch produced by Renault Sport since 1998, the high-performance division of French automaker, Renault. It is based on the Clio supermini.

1998 in motoring includes developments in the automotive industry that occurred throughout the year 1998 by various automobile manufacturers, grouped by country. The automotive industry designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells motor vehicles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TVR Tasmin</span> Motor vehicle

The TVR Tasmin is a sports car designed by Oliver Winterbottom (coach) and Ian Jones (chassis) for TVR and built in the United Kingdom by that company from 1980 to 1987. It was the first of TVR's "Wedge"-series which formed the basis of its 1980's model range. The Tasmin/280i was available as a 2-seater coupé, as a 2+2 coupé and as a 2-seater convertible.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volkswagen R</span> Brand for high-performance Volkswagen models

Volkswagen R is the brand used by the German auto manufacturer Volkswagen to indicate a sport or high performance model. An "R" badge is placed on the grille, front fenders and trunk of R-model vehicles to indicate the vehicle's trim level.

References

  1. "Renault Clio V6 (01-05)". Parker's. Retrieved 2011-01-07.
  2. 1 2 "Celebrating 20 Years of a Performance Icon: The Renault Clio V6". Archived from the original on 2024-02-13. Retrieved 2024-02-13.
  3. "Renault Clio V6". The Sunday Times. January 1, 2004. Retrieved 2011-01-07.
  4. "Renault Clio V6". Evo. November 2004. Retrieved 2011-01-07.
  5. http://www.carpages.co.uk/renault/renault-clio-14-07-05.asp