Radical Renault Clio RS unlikely

The Megane RS 275 Trophy-R has been dubbed "probably the fastest French sports car ever built," by Renault Sport Technologies Technical Director, Thierry Landreau... And it's likely to stay that way with no plans to make a stove-hot Clio RS.

Landreau told journalists that "nothing is planned" in terms of an extreme track-ready version of the fourth-generation Clio RS during the international launch of the new Renault Megane RS 275 Trophy-R. But he wouldn't dismiss the idea outright.

The Megane RS 275 Trophy-R takes advantage of epoxy composite (plastic) front springs, an Akrapovic exhaust, Ohlins suspension and several weight-saving measures, including the removal of the rear seats, and some of these measures could be used in other vehicles.

Quizzed over whether some of the components could be carried over to the Clio, he said "maybe" but said a more likely scenario would be for "slightly faster" limited edition Clio RS models in the future.

"Megane RS 275 Trophy-R is a technology support vehicle, development for new technologies that we can use for other cars," explained Landreau.

"Of course for any of our cars we think about limited editions with more performance," noted the RS technical chief.

A mid-engined, V6-powered, rear-drive version of the second generation Renault Clio was built between the years 2000 and 2005, pumping out up to 187kW and 300Nm, but Regis Fricotte, Sales and Communications Director for Renault Sport Technologies, was in step with Landreau and said models like the V6 Clio are unlikely.

"We will make the Clio RS 200 better, but there won't be a hardcore model. Probably not. It would be confusing to do a radical Clio," said Fricotte.

The Renault Clio RS 200 EDC currently develops 147kW/240Nm from its 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine, and is offered only with a six-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox.

"At the moment the Trophy R is a flagship, an extreme car, which is not the philosophy of Clio, which is a more balanced car that appeals to a wider demographic."

Nevertheless, Fricotte conceded that the technology developed for the Megane RS 275 Trophy-R could be used in the Clio.

"We don’t restrict ourselves to anything. So Why not? Everything is possible in the future.

"Clio has been launched a bit more than a year ago, so we have a bit more time ahead of us to look at it."

"What we want to develop with Clio is the best car in its segment, so there are some good things we can use from the Megane Trophy. Obviously, it would not be the same setup [as the Megane Trophy-R]," he hypothesised.

If Renault Sport did decide to develop a fire-breathing model, to rival a rumoured Ford Fiesta RS, a manual transmission wouldn't be viewed unfavourably by enthusiasts, but is still unlikely, says Landreau.

"It's a topic of discussion but the DCT [dual-clutch transmission] is the future. Some of our customers are preferring the manual transmission, but I think it's just a step in the sports car story.

"Tomorrow for anybody the dual-clutch will be the way for sporty cars. Of course, it's weight increasing, but it’s the trend," he said.