The rumours were true: Renault has revealed the Clio RS 16 concept on the streets of Monaco’s GP circuit, celebrating the brand’s 40th anniversary as well as its return to Formula 1.
The Renault Clio RS 16 is powered by the French brand’s most potent engine: the 2,0-litre unit making a 205 kW and 360 N.m, lifted from Mégane RS 275 Trophy-R.
The development of the car took just five months.
“Our aim was to produce a concept car with genuinely outstanding performance credentials,” said Patrice Ratti, managing director of Renault Sport Cars.
“On paper, producing a Clio RS powered by our most potent engine was an extremely appealing idea, but we had to make sure it was feasible.”
Renault says finding the ideal way to house the engine, transmission and cooling system was a “significant” challenge. The exhaust system was also revised, as was the suspension.
Careful attention was furthermore paid to the sound produced by the car, and an Akrapovič twin exhaust system was selected.
The body was widened by 60 mm, and 19-inch wheels were added to the mix. There’s also an LED chequered-pattern lighting signature featuring multi-faceted reflector technology.
Renault Sport’s now-trademark Liquid Yellow has been combined with gloss black details to mirror the livery of the Renault Sport Formula One Team’s RS 16 F1 single-seaters.
For now, it’s simply a concept, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see this potent little hatch go into production, should the public reaction be an overwhelmingly positive one.
