New Renault Clio RS

Press Release

A high-performance chassis

New Clio Renaultsport's exacting, balanced sports handling combines driving pleasure at speed with advanced safety. The dimensions of its chassis have been modified compared with those of Clio III, including a longer wheelbase and wider front and rear tracks. New Renault Clio Sport also comes with a double-axis strut system and aluminium components for greater driving precision.

For enhanced stability, the wheelbase of New Clio Renaultsport 197 has been extended by 10mm compared with Clio III to 2,585mm. At the same time, grip and cornering performance have been optimised thanks to the new car's wider front and rear track which have been extended by 48 and 50mm respectively in comparison with Clio III.

Innovative front suspension, strengthened rear suspension

New Clio Renaultsport comes with a double-axis strut system, a technology which guarantees precision and optimal traction in all situations. Driving pleasure is further enhanced by the car’s frontal grip and an absence of torque-steer, whether in the middle of a tight turn or when travelling in a straight line.

New Clio Renaultsport benefits from a new type of double-axis strut system which comprises aluminium components for reduced weight compared to the standard Clio III which was MacPherson strut architecture.

Derived from Clio III, the programmed deflection, torsion beam rear suspension has been strengthened to match the potential of the double-axis strut system and to ensure precise, immediate response when turning into corners. The stiffness of the sports version's rear suspension has been uprated by 25% thanks to a 30mm anti-roll bar. The new concept, single-piece stub axles feature reinforced bearings and have been lengthened in order to widen the rear track. Their diameter has also been increased by 5mm to 30mm (instead of 25mm in the case of Clio III).

Glued to the road

The suspension of New Clio Renaultsport 197 ensures a first-class compromise between efficiency and filtering performance. Front and rear shock absorbers feature specific valving developed to optimise body control.

Meanwhile, the stiffness of the front and rear springs and the use of polyurethane bump stops favour positive car control on very rough roads.

The subframe is the same as that used for Mégane Renaultsport 225 and includes transverse strengthening for improved front-end rigidity. The front subframe bushes and rear suspension mountings are also stiffer, as are the upper front shock absorber mountings.

All these features combine to favour feedback to the driver as well as a heightened sense of precision at the wheel. The calibration parameters of the electric power steering are specific to New Clio Renaultsport, while the model's Continental Sport Contact 3 tyres (215/45 R17) also contribute to the suspension's excellent directional stability.

Uprated braking

Derived from that of Mégane Renaultsport 225, New Clio Renaultsport 197's braking system ensures effective, durable stopping power, plus progressive, easy-to-dose pedal travel. The system comprises 312mm-diameter cross-drilled front discs with Brembo four-pot callipers and 300mm diameter discs at the rear.

Double-axis strut system

The double-axis strut system ensures a significant reduction in the effects of transverse, engine torque-induced forces as the car accelerates under cornering. The steering axis of New Clio Renaultsport's front suspension is totally independent of the damping system, in contrast to a MacPherson-type set-up in which the steering axis is linked to the lower arm.

The rotation of the wheel around its axis is ensured by a pivoting link between the hub-carrier (1) and the aluminium pivot carrier (2). The stub axle offset (the distance between the centre of the wheel and the intersection between its rotational and steering axes) has consequently been reduced to 34mm compared with 48mm in the case of New Clio's MacPherson-type suspension. The pivot carrier is located on the lower aluminium rectangular lower arm (3). It is prevented from rotating by a rod (4) which links the two components.

A specific power output of near 100hp/litre

The quest for performance which was a hallmark of New Clio Renaultsport 197's development means the normally-aspirated, Renault Sport Technologies-designed 2.0 16V engine is able to realise its full potential. Coupled with a six-speed gearbox, this responsive (215Nm at 5,550rpm) and powerful (197hp at 7,250rpm) powerplant provides top-class sports performance and driving pleasure.

A sporty, responsive normally-aspirated engine

New Clio Renaultsport is powered by the F4R RS normally-aspirated 2.0 16V engine which delivers 197hp at 7,250rpm and maximum torque of 215Nm at 5,550rpm. Based on the engine which forged the reputation of Clio Renaultsport 182 2.0 16V, it boasts a specific power output of near 100hp per litre which ensures exceptional performance for New Clio Renaultsport in the hot hatch segment. The normally-aspirated engine combines performance, dynamism, flexibility, immediate response and excellent re-acceleration from all engine speeds. It is also easier to adapt for competition use in derivatives such as the Clio Group N and Clio Cup one-make race versions.

At low revs and at engine speeds below 5,000rpm, New Clio Renaultsport ensures a level of response and driving pleasure adapted to day-to-day motoring. At higher revs (more than 5,000rpm), the performance and "bark" of New Clio Renaultsport's engine are unleashed to reveal the car's true sports heritage.

The uprated power and torque figures stem from a number of modifications and optimisations to the powertrain:

- as in Formula 1, the inlet acoustics have evolved to take volumetric efficiency to more than 100% thanks to the optimisation of the sections and lengths of the intake tracts.

- to permit the intake of additional air and to optimise gas flow, extensive work has also gone into the valve seat aerodynamics. The calibration of the camshaft has also been modified with a view to producing a longer and bigger aperture of the valves (11.5mm of valve lift instead of an average 9mm).

- the design of the combustion chamber and the piston has resulted in a high compression ratio of 11.5:1 for enhanced combustion and performance, plus lower emissions.

- continuously variable valve timing improves performance at all engine speeds by varying the camshaft angle to optimise the opening and closing of the valves.

Driving pleasure and acoustic comfort

Renault Sport Technologies' engineers have sought to achieve a signature engine sound in keeping with New Clio Renaultsport 197's sports pedigree. From a discreet pitch at low revs, the engine begins to give a glimpse of its promise at mid engine speeds before producing a hallmark bark when pushed to the limit.

Meanwhile, the reinforced subframe and specific floor minimise boom thanks to special surface soundproofing treatment that reduces the radiation of noise from the exhaust. The 3Y-type exhaust manifold also offers an excellent compromise between acoustic performance, power and low emissions.

To prevent boom at certain engine speeds, the crankshaft has evolved too. Made from steel, it features eight counterweights which improve its rigidity and balance in a bid to reduce parasitic vibrations and friction in the camshafts.

A six-speed gearbox engineered for performance

New Clio Renaultsport comes with an evolution of the TL4 six-speed gearbox, the first Alliance-developed manual transmission which is capable of handling up to 240Nm (24.5mkg). This precision, close-ratio gearbox favours acceleration from all intermediate engine speeds.

Acceleration from standstill to 62 mph requires a mere 6.9 seconds, while the kilometre standing start is covered in just 27.5 seconds. Top speed is 134 mph.

With a combined cycle fuel consumption of 31.7 mpg (209g of CO₂/km), New Clio Renaultsport's fuel consumption is amongst the lowest of the hot hatch segment for cars of comparable power output.

Driving pleasure in complete safety

Just like Clio III, which obtained a five-star Euro NCAP crash test rating, the focus has also very much been on excellence in terms of safety in the case of New Clio Renaultsport 197. The new car has profited from Renault's acclaimed expertise in the domain to emerge as a passive safety benchmark in the hot hatch segment. New Clio Renaultsport features Renault's third-generation System for Restraint and Protection which guaranties optimal protection for all occupants wherever they are sitting in the car.

Active safety: a development priority

Like design and sports performance, active safety played a central role in the development of New Clio Renaultsport. In addition to featuring the latest-evolution driver aids, it is equipped as standard with Generation 8 Bosch ABS complete with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD). Recognising that the New Clio Renaultsport will be driven enthusiastically – possibly on circuit track days – Brake Assist has been removed.

New Clio Renaultsport also comes with ESP which has been reprogrammed to higher limits and can be disconnected. Its operation is adapted to the sort of dynamic driving style associated with this type of car, while at the same time contributing to a high degree of active safety. The ESP system comes complete with ASR traction control to assist starting and accelerating when grip is at a premium.

Passive safety: uncompromising protection for all passengers

New Clio Renaultsport 197 features the third-generation Renault System for Restraint and Protection which guarantees optimal protection for all occupants wherever they are sitting. The extremely rigid cabin forms an indeformable structure which acts as a survival cell for passengers and combats against the intrusion of front-end components. These, in turn, are designed to stack up under impact.

Both front seatbelts of New Clio Renaultsport are equipped with pyrotechnic pretensioners for optimal body restraint under impact, plus built-in load limiters calibrated at 400daN for enhanced thorax protection. To protect the pelvic region and to combat submarining, the front seat cushions come with built-in anti-submarining airbags. According to country, New Clio Renaultsport is equipped with up to eight airbags as standard: two controlled-deflation adaptive front airbags, four lateral airbags and two anti-submarining airbags (fitted in the base of the front seats).

In the event of side impact, and in addition to the lateral airbags (thorax airbags built into the front seats, plus curtain airbags to protect the heads of front and rear passengers), New Clio Renaultsport comes with spacers and padding in the door panels. It also features an aluminium bar (a first inaugurated on Clio III) that adapts the load exerted upon impact to ensure that occupants are afforded the most effective protection possible.

In the event of rear impact, New Clio Renaultsport is equipped with rear impact energy-absorbing front seats and headrests. This new technology marks a significant breakthrough when it comes to protecting the neck against the effects of whiplash. When adjusting its height, it's the headrest itself which slides inside the seat back and not the rods. Since the latter no longer form a rigid element inside the seatback, the occupant's back can, under impact, push further back into the seat until his or her head comes into contact with the headrest. The rear bench seat comes with three integrated headrests, while the seat itself and its anchorage points are reinforced with a view to limiting reclining of the seat back under impact.

A hot hatch success story

The launch of the first Clio Renaultsport 172 2.0 16V in 1999 signalled Renault's return to the hot hatch market after the earlier successes of Clio Williams and Renaultsport Spider, both of which were produced in Dieppe.

The objective of Clio Renaultsport 197 was twofold: to serve as a flagship for the Clio range and to appeal to a male clientele. In the course of the past six years, it has overwhelmingly met both these targets.

Based on Clio III, New Clio Renaultsport will seek to continue the Renaultsport brand's success in the Clio range, while at the same time broadening the Renault line's worldwide appeal.

Renault has invested €29 million in the development of New Clio Renaultsport which uses the same Alliance B platform as Clio III.

A single production site

The Renaultsport factory in Dieppe is the only site where Renaultsport models are produced. This plant, which has an annual production capacity of 30,000 cars, already assembles Mégane Renaultsport 225 and will soon begin production of New Clio Renaultsport 197.

In keeping with the system employed for previous Clio Renaultsport models, the three-door bodies will be built at Flins and then transported to the Renault Sport factory in Dieppe. Ten thousand Clio bodies from Flins will be sent to Dieppe annually.

An uncontested success

Since the car's launch in 1999, 37,545 Clio Renaultsport models have been sold in Western Europe.

The model has proved particularly popular in three countries, namely the United Kingdom, France and Switzerland which accounted for 72% of Clio Renaultsport sales between 1999 and the end of November 2005. With 13,011 cars registered, the United Kingdom alone accounts for at least 35% of total sales.

New Clio Renaultsport is expected to broaden the Clio range's target market, succeed in a higher number of countries in Western Europe and elsewhere, and also showcase Renault's technological expertise in the domain of sports models.