Anyone else read about the Clio they're supposedly releasing at the Monaco Grand Prix? Apparently they've fitted the running gear from the 275 including gearbox, and are selling 500 units! These will go like hot cakes if it's true, and I want one but I should think they'll come with quite a hefty premium!
Yeah seen it on Pistonheads but even they seemed like it might be a made up story. They've got to keep some decent separation between the models, so if a Clio can be had with 275PS then the new Megane needs 350. Not happening I'd say. How much would it cost? More than the outgoing 275 Cup/Nav?
Edit to the above just seen this: http://www.renaultsport.com/See-you-in-Monaco-to-find-out-more-about-a-very-special-Clio-R-S.html Looks like there could be something in it then...
But was the ph2 Clio v6 not faster than even the R26? This looks like it will be a very limited run so I wouldn't put it past them to make it faster than the 275. And they hinted towards taking records back so it might be a one off to take back the ring record?
If the rumours are true it will be faster than the 275, that'll be a kick in the teeth for any recent owner if they do sell it. I can't help but feel it'll be another pointless concept, if it does sell, will it make RHD?
I think if the rumours are true and it's faster than the 275 or any of the meganes for that matter, it'll be available for a premium and will most likely be sold out before they officially release it. Then they might see sense and come out with a Clio that has a proper gearbox which is what people really want!
I want one! I'm aiming on swapping for an A45 in the next year or so when I've hopefully got kids on the way. However this is a car that would be epic!!!! A second hand A45 now £30-35k or a clio brand new at around 25k!
Got to agree. It looks like a lot of engineering and parts bin robbing for a viable limited run and factory supported showroom product. Not what you might expect for what should actually be a Clio Trophy R version.
Look at the Clio V6, the Megane that followed wasn't as powerful. Keep in mind that there's going to be a gap of a year or so before the new Megane comes out, and the current Megane is just about to end production. New, more powerful cars come out all the time. I don't think it's a kick in the teeth for anyone. Was the 650S a kick in the teeth for 12C owners? I've only just got my Clio Trophy, but I thought there'd be a facelift version on the way fairly soon.
No mojo..... Officially announced and it's just a concept. No decision on wether it may end up as a limited run.
Sounds quality and 1200kg Basically the trophy.R in a clio shell - bet that's a hoot to drive! http://www.evo.co.uk/renault/clio/1...engined-hatch-could-be-quickest-renault-sport sounds like it could go on a limited run
If it does go into production, and does come over here, 250 for the whole market they sell it in will stop most mere mortals from getting it. 34k as well, oooofff.
be great if they produce it, even a limited run, we need more cars of this type, looks a cracker as well
Im with you( sunnylunn) we need cars like this for us petrolheads. You got to hand it to Renault, they know a thing or two about how to make a Great hot hatch.
There's an impressive amount of engineering applied to it but if you can't buy it, what's the point? Very typical of a Renault concept. If they eased off on the extreme, they could have tweaked the 1.6 to 250 Bhp, kept the drivetrain and overall costs down, then gone to town on the bits buyers of the 'R' brand desire. All for a small premium over a 220 Trophy. A car you can't buy is tits on a nun.
The V6 isn't comparable, it's Mid engined RWD. It does nothing to dilute the Meganes status. If this car makes production and comes in at a price point near the megane (not that that's going to happen) it'll leave a bitter taste in their mouths if it's much much better. I see it as a slap in the face to some MK4 Clio owners too, it's like they've just announced that they could after all this time make a hot manual Clio, but just couldn't be bothered. None of this really matters as I think it's highly likely that it'll never see a show room near us.
Maybe this concept could lead to an in between, the Clio shares the b platform and engine that comes with the Juke, that has a manual.
It's £34,000 so past most people's pockets and they're saying 250 will be produced if there's interest, which there is! Looks like a cracking car but there needs to be something like that that people can actually get their hands on!
New cars come out all the time though! The next version will almost always be better and faster than the one you bought last year. The Trophy R came out a year ago - you won't be able to order a new Megane 275 in a month or so (if you can even do so now). Are Renault expected to not do anything now until the RS Megane replacement in a couple of years? And then are they expected to not make it too good just in case a Trophy R owner gets upset?! Rubbish. Actually, I'd say good on Renault for not being afraid to make new cars better than their recent ones. No-one buys Renaults for residuals, if people want the latest and greatest then go and buy it. A newer Clio doesn't automatically make your 1 year old Trophy R any less brilliant!
It's hardly a new Clio, it's the current gen with a bigger engine, puts it directly ahead of the current Megane and makes all other Mk4 clios look quite damp. Renault should've found a middle ground, behind the megane but ahead of their last attempt at the Clio. The models should be kept apart, it's not difficult. People buy the Megane because it's bigger and better and more capable than the Clio. If the Clio suddenly becomes the better and more capable car that takes a giant dump on the Megane it will put some people's noses out of joint. None of which matters as my original comment was made before any indication of price or possibility it may be made. Looks like it won't be, and if it was it will be stupidly expensive. One thing you're correct on is no one does buy a Renault for residuals, that's because they're hellbent on flooding the market with special edition after special edition, cup s, cup r, gold trophy edition, Sunday morning breakfast edition. Nothing against them going a bit crazy, but if they do something radical, it should actually be radical, not something Mk3 clio owners have been doing for years.
Dunno about that the better and more capable bit. Until the R26 then R26.R came along many preferred to buy clios and for a long time many still did prefer the much lighter better handling car. Arguably the 197/200 also still a better drivers car than the Meganes. I agree though that what they badly need is to develop the 220 Trophy. I started looking at those but with no LSD or Brembo calipers up front it looks really bad VFM compared to something like the more attractive Peugeot 208 GTi by PeugeotSport. Its nice to see some craziness again but with the RS 16 being a very limited run special one can't help feeling they have still lost their way with the Clio.
Fair point on the R26/r bit, I made the jump from 182 to R26, never found the mk3 Clio viable as it had all the running costs but none of the advantages. The MK2 megane was overall faster than my 182, but you could argue not as good to drive until R26/r came along. Opinions and all that. The more I read about this car the more I can't help but think it's a last attempt at the Ring title. Maybe they've gone as far as they can with the Mk3 Megane, hence the use of all the good bits in something they can make lighter. Selling it is the only way to make the time (if it sets one) viable. Who knows, just don't see the point in making a car that sits firmly in a segment well catered for and selling in tiny numbers at a frankly ridiculous price.
That is a very good point about the FWD lap record and you could indeed by right about the motivation behind this car.
If Renault really want the Ring record back they could achieve with a re-visit with a Trophy R. They only have 5 secs to kill to nail that current dubious record holder, the Golf. The right day, the right driver with a clear track and a few runs and it could be done. The previous Trophy R time was apparently not in the most ideal conditions. Cheaper option than building a set of specials and if they were that keen to nail the Ring with a tweaked Clio, they would be making the puppy.
