Renault Clio RS - First Drive Impression

Unapologetically Race-Bred

French automaker Renault has long maintained a strong presence in motorsport, with championship winners coming out of just about every form of four-wheel motorsports there is.

They studiously plowed all that they have learned back into their production vehicles, giving us thrilling drives in the form of the RS-badged versions of road-going cars.

My first encounter with the RS came in the form of the Renault Mégane 275 Trophy a few years back and the car left such an impression on me that it has been the measuring stick for how I have received many other brands offerings. Renault has recently brought two new releases to the RS-stable under the Clio nameplate, namely the Clio RS Lux and Trophy, and we spent a day driving the wheels off them across the Western Cape.

What’s new?

Well to be perfectly honest, everything!

Renault have taken just about everything and poured it into these two hot hatches.

Let’s begin with the Lux-version. The Clio GT Line has offered up its styling, both interior and exterior, making for a very visually appealing design. The RS sees all the blue highlights and detailing in the interior replaced with a brilliant red that includes piping, stitching and dashboard inserts. It’s much the same in the Trophy, with the inclusion of a red indicator stripe on the top of the steering wheel.

On the exterior, the F1-inspired design carries over from its older brother, the Mégane, with that wing design in the front bumper where the newest advancement from Renault now resides.

The RS Vision design is a new cluster of lights that take up residence where the old fog lamps would be placed. This lighting system is instantly recognizable as being shaped after a chequered flag. The system not only encompasses fog lights, but also aids short and long range vision, as well as cornering lights that brighten up the darkest of nights.

Although the Clio RS Lux and Trophy have similar looks and styling to their more standard-fare brethren, it’s under the skin where all the development has really happened. In the Lux there is a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine that punches out 147kW, and in the Trophy, a 1.6-litre turbocharged monster pushing out 162kw.

The trophy also sees the addition of an Akropovic exhaust system that just adds bite and bark to the beast.

The dynamic range of the Trophy engine curve has also been supplemented with an overboost range where, at a certain rev input, the engine picks up few more horses and becomes very shouty.

Both engines are mated to a six-speed EDC transmission that allows for rapid fire shifts up and down, by way of paddle shifters on the steering wheel. In the blink of an eye, you will easily find yourself on the wrong side of the speed limit.

The Drive

 In a very smart move we decided to sample the somewhat tamer Lux-version first. The first section would have us attacking low open roads out into the mountains, where a tight and twisty mountain pass would test the car and driver to the maximum.

The afternoon section would see us switch out into the brawnier Trophy for much of the same, but the drive was that much more rewarding.

There is very little difference between the Lux and the Trophy on paper but out on the road the difference is continental! Where the Lux was poised and direct, the Trophy seemed to be like a hungry dog on a leash, aching to be set loose to devour the firs thing in its sight.

Where the Lux was calm and composed, the Trophy ate away at corners and growled at passers-by. Both cars have the optional modes to scroll through, depending on the type of driving you wish to do. We chose to drive in Sport mode, forgoing Race mode and only engaging Comfort while tootling around town. The ability to turn from sedate into rapid attack with the flick of a switch, made the drive that much more enjoyable.

 The Verdict

The Clio RS Lux and Trophy are excellent vehicles and definitely warrant a closer inspection. Those who believe in the French automaker’s name will be standing in queues to buy this latest offering, and those that are remotely interested should also join that line. The RS doesn’t pretend to be something its not, it’s a race-bred hot hatch for enthusiasts, and it’s totally unapologetic about it.

Pricing (at time of launch)

CLIO RS 200 EDC LUX	R379 900
CLIO RS 220 EDC TROPHY	R419 900