The Renault Clio Renault Sport has been refreshed for 2016 with a tweaked exterior and updated range.
The Ford Fiesta ST, Peugeot 208 GTI and Vauxhall Corsa VXR rival is headed by a more powerful version called the Trophy, which rivals the likes of the Ford Fiesta ST200.
The Clio RS has been facelifted to keep it in line with the rest of the Clio range, with a tweaked grille, rear bumper and headlights, as well as exclusive front fog lights which form a chequered pattern in the front bumper.
Being the Clio’s motorsport variant, the facelifted Clio RS also plays host to a raft of mechanical upgrades. There’s a choice of three chassis options; Sport, Cup and Trophy, which reflect increasing levels of track-oriented focus, with Sport being the most road-friendly.
The Trophy is the most hardcore of the three, so will be the least comfortable and more suited to track driving than Britain’s bumpy public roads.
The 1.6-litre engine under the bonnet is available in two power outputs: 197bhp for the Clio RS 200 EDC, and 217bhp for the Clio RS 220 Trophy. Both of these are mated to a dual-clutch automatic gearbox, with paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel.
The higher-powered engine is only available with the Trophy chassis, which lowers the front by 20mm and the rear by 10mm, with 18in alloys the only option available on this setup. A more advanced exhaust system is also available on the Trophy model as an optional extra.
In Trophy guise, the Clio sprints from 0-62mph in 6.6sec, topping out at a 146mph top speed.
Along with the rest of the Clio range, prices are likely to make a small step up from the current-generation. The current Clio RS starts at £19,130 and rises to £21,780 for the 220 Trophy, so expect prices of the facelifted car to start around £19,500 and £22,000 respectively. All versions of the Renault Sport Clio will go on sale in October of this year.
