The latest edition on the Renault Clio RS came in for a bit of stick regarding its timidness, hesitant gearbox and clunky shifts. At this years Geneva motor show Renaultsport has revealed a renewed version that claims to have fixed all the problems of before.
Renault Clio RS Updates
The Clio Renaultsport 220 Trophy is due to go on sale mid-way through 2015 and will offer a number of enhancements including increased power and torque with Stop & Start technology and reduced CO2 emissions. A refined EDC transmission, quicker steering, a lower and stiffer chassis and upgraded tyres make Renaults hot hatch a more attractive proposition.
- Maximum power has been increased to 220hp (164 kW) at 6 250rpm (up 15 kW)
- Maximum torque rises to 260Nm (a gain of 20Nm)
- Torque Boost feature in fourth and fifth gears raises peak torque to 280Nm (a gain of 40Nm)
- Maximum revs increase from 6 500rpm to 6 800rpm
- Complying with Euro6 emissions standards, the cars CO2 output improves by 6g/km to 138g/km.
Refined EDC transmission
Gear shifts are now up to 40 per cent faster in Normal and Sport modes and 50 per cent faster in Race mode thanks to software recalibration, with a 30% reduction in steering wheel paddle travel for more immediate changes. Earlier downshifts, for example under heavy braking on track, are permitted by optimised software calibration and the raised rev limiter.
Sport mode is now more flexible with gearshift change patterns more reactive to current driving style. A Stop & Start system works in Normal mode, but is deactivated in Sport and Race modes. The Clio is lower by 20mm at the front, 10mm at the rear. Firmer shock absorbers, and revised springs (40 per cent stiffer at the rear), have been fitted and are coupled to the existing motorsport-derived hydraulic units.
More details will come soon as the car is rolled out towards the middle of 2015.
