Renault Clio RS F1: Check these cool features out...

By Ané Theron

If you have racing aspirations or you just need to feel some excitement as you drive to work every day, the Renault Clio RS F1 has you covered, and it's sufficiently practical too. Check out what makes it special

Sporty design details

The spiciest Clio of them all, the Clio RS F1, launched in May last year. The CLIO R.S. 18 bears the same name as the Renault F1 race car competing in the Grand Prix. It also features the same eye-catching colour scheme as the Renault Sport F1 Team car: Deep Black with accented Liquid Yellow. 

The RS model goes all out with RS decals on the roof and door panels, Alcantara seatbacks and a partial leather/suede steering wheel with red RS badging and topstitching, red stripes on the auto gear lever, and RS doorsills. (The doorsills on this limited edition model also reveal a unique number for those serious collectors.) Sporty red brake callipers add extra stopping bite as well as kerb appeal.

Habanero hot hatch performance

The Clio RS is powered by an ultra-potent 1.6-litre turbocharged engine, and features a lowered and stiffened Trophy chassis. The front suspension features hydraulic compression stops, and an Akrapovic exhaust system, as seen on the Golf GTI. This Clio's turbo-engine is mated to a slick-shifting EDC 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

The engine delivers 162kW at 6,050rpm and torque of 280Nm is reached from just 2,000 rpm. Renault says that this specific engine benefits from ground-breaking Diamond-like carbon technology derived from Formula 1. 

And yes, launch control is standard, allowing us 'normal' people a chance to experience that standing start that racing rivers get to have. With launch control activated, once you lift your foot off the brakes, the Clio RS shoots forward towards the finish line. Steering wheel mounted gear paddles are standard fare.

An R.S. button!

The innocent-looking R.S. Drive button allows you to select one of three driving modes: Normal, Sport and Race.  According to the mode, R.S. Drive alters gearbox-mapping, Electronic stability control behaviour, steering firmness and feel, and sensitivity to throttle input. This means you can have your kicks on track days, but still have the necessary ride comfort when dropping the kids off at school and decent fuel economy.

Interior comfort and high-tech toys