Autoblog

Next Renault Clio RS spotted nearly ready to hatch

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Performance, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Renault

A new Renault Clio is due to be revealed at the 2012 Paris Motor Show in September, and based on these spy shots, it appears that also means a reveal of the Clio RS. Caught by the lenses at CarPix, several changes to this model versus the standard Clio seem to identify it as the hot hatch: larger front intakes, wheels and brakes, front LEDs relocated to the bumper, and a diffuser between twin pipes out back.

Rumors suggest that a 200-horsepower turbocharged four should be under the hood. Paired with the new Clio's sharper looks and Renault's proven handling chops, the Clio RS should have no problem staying relevant. We'll know more when we get to Paris, but for now there's the gallery of high-res spy photos.

Next Renault Clio RS spotted nearly ready to hatch originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Jun 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Renault celebrates Red Bull partnership with special edition Clio RS

Noah Joseph — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Europe, Hatchback, Renault

As a Formula One entity, Renault has gone from engine supplier to full manufacturer (having acquired the Benetton team back in 2000) and back to engine supplier (having all but completely divested the team now under the Lotus banner). The French automaker's competition engine works also powers Caterham and Williams this season, but most importantly, the Red Bull Racing team that is returning once again as World Champions. So whereas previous Renaultsport special edition hot hatches celebrated the company's own achievements, the latest celebrates Red Bull's.

Named the Red Bull RB7 edition after last year's car, the special Clio RS packs a 203-horsepower four mounted to the Cup chassis that would otherwise be an option. The body is painted matte black with yellow highlights, a tone-on-tone checkerboard roof, the requisite special badging and 18-inch wheels done up in a black finish and shod with the same Bridgestone rubber that kept the Mégane Trophy glued to the Nürburgring for its lap record.

Inside it's got yellow Recaro buckets and the RS Monitor performance telematics system. The special edition will only be available, however, in France, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria and Spain. Details to be found in the press release after the jump with high-res images in the gallery above.

Continue reading Renault celebrates Red Bull partnership with special edition Clio RS

Renault celebrates Red Bull partnership with special edition Clio RS originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Mar 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Renault gears up for race weekend with Silverstone GP edition Twingo & Clio RS

Noah Joseph — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 17:32:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Hatchback, Renault, UK

Renault Twingo & Clio RS Silverstone GP editions - Click above for high-res image gallery

With the British Grand Prix coming up this weekend, Renault has launched a pair of special edition hot hatches to join its new Megane Trophy.

Based on the existing Twingo Renaultsport 133 and Clio Renaultsport 200, the Silverstone GP editions upgrade on their already considerable levels of specification with such special touches as silver paint with contrasting black wheels, roof and mirror housings, tinted rear windows, Silverstone badges, Renaultsport Monitor performance tracking systems and the competition-focused Cup suspension as standard.

The Twingo also gets a black spoiler and fog light surrounds and a stainless exhaust, while the Clio gets Recaro buckets and Bluetooth connectivity. Each model will be limited to 50 individually numbered examples, exclusive to the UK, and come with special driving instruction around the grand prix circuit for which they're named. Check 'em out in our high-res image gallery and the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Renault gears up for race weekend with Silverstone GP edition Twingo & Clio RS

Renault gears up for race weekend with Silverstone GP edition Twingo & Clio RS originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Jul 2011 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Top Gear spotted testing hot hatches in Tuscany

Noah Joseph — Thu, 26 May 2011 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Performance, Europe, Hatchback

Everyone's favorite car show is slated to return sometime next month, but we've got little indication of what to expect. We'll know soon enough, but before the first episode of the new season of Top Gear airs - likely with a teaser of what's to come - we've got these snapshots to go by.

According to Netherlands-based Autojunk, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May were spotted with a trio of European hot hatches in the the ancient town of Lucca in Italy's picturesque Tuscany region. The cars in question appear to be an Abarth 500C Esse Esse, a rare Citroën DS3 Racing and the benchmark Renaultsport Clio.

It looks to be a great shootout, and we'll look forward to seeing it on the BBC when it airs. Of course it's entirely possible that, with production schedules the way they are, that won't happen until the following season, but we're sure to enjoy finding out one way or another.

Top Gear spotted testing hot hatches in Tuscany originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 May 2011 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2010: Renault Clio and Twingo get the Gordini treatment

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Hatchback, Renault

Renault Clio Gordini R.S. - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's amazing what a little paint and a few stickers can do for a small car. To illustrate that point, take a gander at the special Gordini edition Renault Clio and Twingo in the gallery below. Granted, the improvements reach much deeper than just those stickers, but the matte blue paint, white accents and white decals give these little runabouts a purposeful look and signal to the world that they are the top-of-the-performance-heap Gordini editions.

For those who need a refresher, Gordini is the name of a legendary Renault racing engineer. Amédée Gordini brought Renault some rally racing glory in the mid-'60s with the iconic R8 Gordini. Renault recently revived the name, reestablishing it as the top rung trim level on its already racy Renault Sport (R.S.) editions. Mechanically similar to their R.S. counterparts, they are mainly distinguished by retro styling touches (like the classic French racing blue paint scheme with white stripes) and an extra dose of exclusivity. Plus, they just look badass.

The first product in the new range, the Twingo Gordini R.S. had already debuted last November, but here at the Geneva Motor Show, the company unveiled their Gordini edition Clio as well. We have galleries of both cars for you below, the Mini-sized Twingo and the slightly larger Clio. Both cars have the performance upgrades found on R.S. models, with larger wheels, Brembo brakes, Conti SportContact3 tires, diffusers, heat extractors and that great livery. Check out the little "G" confetti in the stripes - classic.

Gallery: Geneva 2010: Renault Twingo Gordini R.S.

Gallery: Geneva 2010: Renault Clio Gordini R.S.

Geneva 2010: Renault Clio and Twingo get the Gordini treatment originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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10 Million Served: Renault celebrates Clio's 20th with special editions

Noah Joseph — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Europe, Hatchback, Renault

Renault Clio 20th Anniversary Edition - Click above for high-res image gallery

Renault has certainly been keeping busy. In addition to restructuring its F1 team to come back with a fresh design for 2010, the French automaker has recently unveiled an innovative new Megane coupe-convertible, the equally interesting Wind roadster and a slew of new panel vans. All the while, Renault is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its bread-and-butter model, the Clio.

Over the years, Renault has sold a staggering 10 million units of the Clio, putting it on par with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Toyota Camry as the 20th top-selling car of all time, but in a shorter timeframe. To kick off the festivities, Renault has released special edition versions of the Clio hatchback (both three- and five-door configurations), Clio wagon and Clio RS hot hatch.

All the 20th anniversary Clios get a mouthful of black trim and, of course, the requisite special badging. The hatch and wagon can be ordered in a variety of color combinations, while the RS special comes exclusively in two-tone white and black, complimented by 17-inch BeBop wheels. Equipment levels depend on the market, with orders already taken in France ahead of other European markets starting next month. Pricing starts at €14,350 (just shy of twenty grand in Benjamins), with the Clio RS 20th commanding €24,700 (about $34k USD). Full details can be found in the press release after the jump, with high-resolution images in the gallery below.

Gallery: Renault Clio 20th Anniversary Edition

[Source: Renault]

Continue reading 10 Million Served: Renault celebrates Clio's 20th with special editions

10 Million Served: Renault celebrates Clio's 20th with special editions originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Feb 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Renault unveils updated Clio Renaultsport 200 hot hatch

Noah Joseph — Tue, 05 May 2009 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Hatchback, Renault

Renault Clio RS 200 - Click above for high-res image gallery

200. That's a mighty big number for such a tiny car, but it's the horsepower figure that Renaultsport's latest hot hatch packs beneath its bonnet. And while it may be only three measley horses more than the 197 version on which it's based and replaces, Renault's performance and motorsport division has worked to improve the aerodynamics and cut weight to make each one count more.

Complimenting the mid-cycle revised styling of the entire Clio range, the Clio RS 200 and 200 Cup benefit from Renault's Formula One program, with which the French automaker attributes the aerodynamic expertise implemented on its latest hot hatch. Air passes over the front splitter to feed the the revised 200-hp, 2.0-liter 16-valve four-cylinder engine, but it also goes underneath to the flat rear bottom and exits the fully functional rear diffuser. The design also pushes air around the wider front fenders, past the side vents and around the widened track to give the new Clio RS its performance edge. The aerodynamic enhancements gives the car an even meaner look, while customers can choose from a wider variety of look-at-me colors, contrasting with either black or anthracite-finish trim.

Inside it's all business: the compact steering wheel has perforated leather trim with a yellow strip to show when it's centered, and Recaro racing buckets are available along with leather upholstery. Unfortunately the car isn't available Stateside, but across the pond the new Clio Renaultsport 200 starts selling next month at £16,570, while hardcore enthusiasts can save a bit and get the even more focused, stripped-down Cup version for £15,750. Follow the jump for all the details in the press release, and check out the images in the gallery below.

Gallery: Renault Clio RS 200

[Source: Renault]

Continue reading Renault unveils updated Clio Renaultsport 200 hot hatch

Renault unveils updated Clio Renaultsport 200 hot hatch originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 May 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Luxe Redux: Renault gives Clio RS the premium touch...again

Noah Joseph — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 17:03:00 EST

Filed under: Hatchback, Renault, UK

Click above to view the Renaultsport Clio Lux in high resolution

Renault makes a hot hatch for every taste. Some burn gas, some burn diesel. Some are track-biased, some are great for hauling around the family. Some are flyweights, and some are luxurious. The latest version is the latter, upgrading the Clio Renaulsport 197 with a host of luxury amenities for those who want it all.

Called the Lux, the new package is being offered to British customers from the beginning of the new year, packed with £2,000 of equipement for only £1,000 over the standard price. Included among those amenities are leather upholstery, automatic lights and wipers, cornering lamps, black tinted rear windows, an upgraded 60W MP3/CD sound system, brushed alloys and satin-chrome trim touches. Electric folding mirrors, electric panorama sunroof, xenon headlamps, Speedline rims in white or black and tightened-up Cup suspension are also available as optional extras. But if this is all sounding a little familiar, you're not experiencing deja vu: Renault introduced a similar package, called "Luxe" (the extra is for "Europe") to continental customers a year and a half ago. Details in the pess release after the jump.

[Source: Renault]

Continue reading Luxe Redux: Renault gives Clio RS the premium touch...again

Luxe Redux: Renault gives Clio RS the premium touch...again originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 22 Nov 2008 17:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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