New Renault Clio RS 200 Cup with Improved Driving Dynamics
Kuala Lumpur, 16 February 2012 – TC Eurocars Sdn Bhd launched the New Clio Renault Sport 200 Cup car today to the media at the Bangsar Shopping Complex. With an estimated price of RM199, 000, it boasts of a 200 horsepower engine and a 6-speed manual, and it looks set to take up where the Honda Civic Type R left off.
Renault runs a Renault Cup race series in Europe based on the Megane and Clio models – this popular one-make race series has been running since 1966, and is very well subscribed. It is currently run in 19 different countries in Europe, Latin America and China. Young drivers wanting to break into motorsport, especially into saloon car or touring car racing find the Renault Cup series an ideal race to take part in – not only does it help to hone driving skills, it is also a place where talent scouts look for promising new drivers. Renault makes special cars for the series so that drivers can go racing with minimal modifications. Thus, the cars are built with a stiffer chassis, brakes good enough to go racing with, and suspensions that are tuned towards performance and race usage.
The Clio RS 200 Cup is purpose-built straight off the line for participating in the Clio RS Cup series, and is race ready save for the regulatory equipment such as roll-over cage, fire extinguisher system, and of course for countries like Malaysia, it comes with air-conditioning and audio equipment as it is also meant for the enthusiast market. Recaro seats are standard equipment.
What is important though is that the Clio RS 200 Cup is built on a stiffened Cup chassis, and comes with 4-pot Brembo brakes in front, and of course discs in the rear. The suspension has been re-tuned to stiffer specifications for improved handling over the previous model, and Reza Mutalib, marketing Manager for TC Eurocars claims that even though the suspension is stiffer, the ride and handling for road use is still decent. With a stiffer chassis, big brakes and a race-tuned suspension, the Clio RS 200 Cup is more or less track-ready. It would be interesting to know what kind of lap times it can make at the Sepang International circuit. Specifications-wise, the Clio RS front track is 26mm wider, and the Cup chassis stands 7 mm lower than the standard car.
The new Clio Renault Sport’s aerodynamic features include a front splitter, front-wing air extractors
and a rear diffuser, a unique feature in this segment. Compared with the new version’s predecessor, the CdA has been cut by 0.02 to 0.75. The extractors visible on the front wings contribute to the car’s aerodynamic performance by neutralizing the turbulence produced by the wider wings and play a part in improving the model’s CdA. They also facilitate the extraction of hot air from underneath
the bonnet, while the vents are angled to channel airflow along the sides of the car for
enhanced performance.
The most significant single technological innovation is the air diffuser. This aerodynamic
feature carried over from F1 is only fitted as standard equipment to range-topping sporting
cars. The diffuser’s role is to prevent the rear of the car from lifting and guarantee
stability at high speed by channelling airflow in such a way that it increases ground effect
by producing a low pressure zone beneath the car.
The new Clio RS 200 Cup is powered by 2.0 16V engine (F4R RS). With a specific power output of more than 100hp/litre, this powerplant delivers an extremely high standard of performance for the hot hatch segment. In addition to the gains achieved at low revs, peak power has been increased by 2.5kW to 147.5kW (203hp) at 7,100rpm. Meanwhile, the low-end torque (below 3,000rpm) boasted by the New Renault Sport Clio 200 Cup has been upped 20 per cent thanks to a new cylinder head, continuously variable intake valve timing and fine-tuning of the engine mapping. Max torque is rated as 215Nm at 5,400 rpm.
According to Reza, the 6-speed manual transmission is a close-ratio box, which helps the zero to 100 kph acceleration in 6.9 seconds, and a 1,000 metre standing start time of 27.3 seconds. Top speed is 225 kph and improvement of 10 kph over the previous version. As an aside, not many cars imported to Malaysia today are available with manual transmissions – the Clio RS 200 Cup looks like the car for driving enthusiasts. Also, with the move towards down-sizing engines and adding turbochargers to boost power, the Clio is probably be one of the few 2.0 litre naturally aspirated performance cars available for the enthusiast.
Fuel consumption has been reduced by 0.7 litres/100km (equivalent to 14g of CO2/km). Combined cycle fuel consumption stands at a reasonable 8.2 litres/100km, equivalent to 195g of CO2/km. mind you, these figures are based on EU test standards – achievable only if you follow the set driving parameters in the tests – with a heavy foot and exuberant driving styles, the consumption figures will be dictated by you alone – anyhow, it is good to know that this is how the engine is rated in comparison to other cars you may consider – although in truth, if you want such a car, consumption figures is a good to know thingy, but it will not make or break the deal.
What I am looking forward to of course is the actual test drive – so stay tuned for our forthcoming report.
