Review: Renault X65 Clio RS (2001-06)

Review: Renault X65.I Clio RS (2001)

Overview

Released in May 2001, the Renault X65 Phase I (X65.I) Clio RS – short for Renault Sport – was a light, three-door hatchback. Manufactured in Flins, France, the front-wheel drive X65.I Clio RS 172 was so-called because its 2.0-litre F4R engine produced peak power of 172 brake horsepower. Furthermore, the Clio RS 172 was fitted with close-ratio JC5-type five-speed manual transmission.

F4R engine

The F4R 2.0-litre engine – as used in the J64 Scenic and J64 Scenic RX4 – had a cast iron block, an aluminium cylinder head, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and two-position inlet valve timing. For the Clio RS, however, the F4R engine had a modified air intake manifold, machined cylinder head ducts, revised valve timing, Nimonic (75 per cent nickel, 25 per cent chrome and titanium) valves for greater resistance to high temperatures, platinum electrode spark plugs rated for 120,000 km, a tubular exhaust manifold to reduce exhaust back pressure and a compression ratio of 11.2:1. 

Dimensions and suspension

The X65.I Clio RS was 3773 mm long, 1670 mm wide, 1417 mm tall and had a 2472 mm long wheelbase.

The Clio RS had MacPherson strut front suspension, negative offset with lower wishbones and anti-sway bars, coil springs and telescopic hydraulic shock absorbers. The rear suspension consisted of an H-style (or torsion beam) rear axle with coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers and anti-sway bars.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the X65.I Clio RS included dual front airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters and outer rear seatbelts with pretensioners.

Euro NCAP crash testing

In Euro NCAP crash testing , a 2000 X65.I Clio five-door hatchback – on which the Clio RS was based – received a four star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 26 when fitted with dual front airbags (but not front side airbags). In the frontal offset impact test, the driver’s chest and lower left leg were subjected to high loads. In the side impact test, there was a small risk of injury to the abdomen.

Features

Standard features for the Renault Clio RS 172 included 15-inch alloy wheels with 195/50 R15 tyres, a four speaker sound system with CD player, air conditioning with pollen filter, contoured sports seats with leather and Alcantara upholstery, front fog lights, a suede and leather trimmed steering wheel with audio controls, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, driver’s seat height and lumbar adjustment, a tilt adjustable steering column, an aluminium gearshift knob, drilled aluminium pedals, a heat-reflective windscreen and an immobiliser.

Review: Renault X65.II Clio RS (2001-04)

Overview

Released in December 2001, the Renault X65 Series II (X65.II) Clio RS introduced revised styling and additional equipment. Visually, the X65.II Clio RS could be identified by its new head and tail-lights, mesh grille (with three horizontal bars, inset ellipses and diamond-shaped Renault badge), smoothed bumpers, creased bonnet and body-coloured protective mouldings. Inside, there were higher quality materials, a lower dashboard and instrument cluster housed in a double-rounded binnacle.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Renault X65.II Clio RS was upgraded with anti-submarining front seats and outer rear seatbelts with load limiters. From May 2003, the Clio RS was fitted with electronic stability control and traction control as standard.

Features

Compared to its X65.I predecessor, the X65.II Clio RS featured a six speaker sound system (previously four), climate control air conditioning, six-disc CD player, xenon headlights with washers, automatic headlights and rain-sensing wipers.

Review: Renault X65.III Clio RS (2004-06)

Overview

Released in September 2004, the Renault X65 Phase III (X65.III) Clio RS introduced the 182 variant, powered by a more powerful 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. The range was also expanded, with the Clio RS 182 range consisting of standard and Cup editions. In January 2005, a limited-run Cup F1 Team Edition was released.

F4R engine

Changes for the 2.0-litre engine included a new ‘3Y’ exhaust manifold (replacing the former ‘4-into-1’ configuration) for improved gas outflow, a lower-resistance metallic catalyst with two parallel-mounted silencers and new calibration of the fuel injection and inlet camshaft variator. The compression ratio was also reduced to 11.0:1.

Dimensions and suspension

Compared to its X65.II predecessor, the wheelbase for the X65.III Clio RS was extended by 13 mm (to 2485 mm), while front and rear track were widened by 12 mm and 16 mm, respectively. For the suspension, spring stiffness was increased by 10 per cent and the diameter of the rear anti-roll bar was increased by 2 mm (to 24 mm) for a 12 per cent increase in stiffness.

Features

Compared to its X65.II predecessor, standard features for the X65.III Clio RS 182 were extended to include 16-inch alloy wheels with 205/45 R16 Michelin Exalto tyres, cruise control (with speed limiter) and a chilled glovebox. The Cup edition was differentiated by its firmer suspension, lowered ride height and charcoal coloured alloy wheels.

2005 Renault Clio RS Cup F1 Team Edition

In January 2005, a limited-run Cup F1 Team Edition was released; it was distinguished by its Gordini blue paint with white racing stripes, rear spoiler and signed plaque.

Related links

• Wikipedia.org: Renault X65 Clio