Review: Renault X98 Clio RS (2013-19)

Review: Renault X98.I Clio RS (2013-16)

Overview

Released in Australia in December 2013, the Renault X98 Phase I Clio RS 200 was a light, five-door hatchback. Manufactured in Dieppe, France, the front-wheel drive Clio RS 200 Turbo was powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged, four-cylinder petrol engine that was mated to a six-speed double clutch transmission.

The Clio RS 200 range initially consisted of the Sport, Cup, Sport Trophy and Cup Trophy; in 2014, however, the Sport Trophy and Cup Trophy were replaced by the Sport Premium and Cup Premium.

M5MT/MR16DDT engine

Shared with the Nissan F15 Juke and B17 Pulsar SSS , the 1.6-litre M5MT/MR16DDT engine had all-aluminium construction, direct fuel-injection, nano-finished double overhead camshafts, twin variable valve timing control (i.e. for intake and exhaust valves), four valves per cylinder (with beehive springs and sodium-filled exhaust valves) and a compression ratio of 9.5:1.

For the Clio RS 200, maximum engine speed was 6500 rpm and the turbocharger provided peak boost pressure of 0.96 bar. The Clio RS 200 also had a brake energy recovery system which regulated alternator output to recharge the battery when the vehicle was coasting or braking, thereby reducing fuel consumption.

From June 2015 production, the Clio RS engine had a ‘Stop&Start’ function which enabled it to shut down when the vehicle was stationary in traffic to reduce fuel consumption. Furthermore, the updated engine was compliant with Euro 6 emissions standards and peak torque increased to 260 Nm.

EDC transmission

The ‘Efficient Double Clutch’ (EDC) transmission could be controlled via steering wheel gearshift paddles and offered three selectable driving modes: Normal, Sport and Race. In Race, gear changes could be made in just 150 milliseconds and the X98 Clio RS 200 could accelerate from rest to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds.

Dimensions

Compared to the X98 Clio on which it was based, the Clio RS 200 was 28 mm longer (at 4090 mm) and 16 mm lower (1432 mm), though width (1732 mm) and wheelbase length (2589 mm) were unchanged; kerb weight was 1218 kg.

Suspension

The Clio RS 200 had MacPherson strut front suspension (with a right-angled triangular lower wishbone and twin bushes) and a torsion beam rear axle with coil springs. The suspension also included Renault’s ‘Hydraulic Compression Control’ system which incorporated a secondary damper within the main damper body to prevent ‘bottoming out’.

Electronic differential lock

The X98 Clio RS 200 was fitted with a RenaultSport electronic front differential which used inputs from wheel speed sensors to anticipate a loss of traction and would apply ‘micro braking’ to that wheel to maintain traction. Furthermore, an ‘R.S. Drive’ button enabled the driver to engage sportier engine and gearbox shift mapping, electronic stability and traction control settings, steering assistance and throttle pedal response.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Clio RS 200 included dual front airbags, front head and thorax airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

Brakes

The Clio RS 200 had 320 mm by 28 mm ventilated front brake discs and 260 mm by 8 mm solid rear discs. For the Cup variants, the brake calipers were painted red.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , the related X98 Clio received a five star safety rating which included an 88 per cent adult occupant protection rating and an 89 per cent child occupant protection rating. In the offset crash test, occupant protection was generally good, though chest and lower leg protection were rated as adequate. In the side impact test, maximum points were awarded though, in the more severe pole test, however, chest protection was rated as weak.

Features: Clio RS 200

Standard features for the Renault Clio RS 200 Sport included 17-inch ‘Tibor’ alloy wheels with 205/45 R17 tyres, a four speaker Arkamys sound system with MP3-compatibility, auxiliary inputs (3.5 mm/USB) and Bluetooth connectivity (including audio streaming), navigation system with a seven-inch touchscreen, air conditioning, cruise control with speed limiter, daytime LED running lights, a rear fog light, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, 60:40 split and folding rear seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with gearshift paddles, remote central locking with Renault Smart Key Card (for hands-free entry), power windows, power adjustable and heated mirrors with folding function, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, rear privacy glass, push-button start, a 12 volt power outlet, trip computer and an immobiliser.

Compared to the Sport, the Clio RS 200 Cup variants had 18-inch ‘Radicale’ alloy wheels with 205/40 R18 tyres, the suspension had 15 per cent stiffer springs and a 3 mm lower ride height, while the electric power-assisted steering had a faster ratio.

The Sport Trophy/Premium and Cup Trophy/Premium were both further equipped with a six speaker Arkamys 3D sound system, Renault’s ‘R-Link’ enhanced satellite navigation system with voice recognition, climate control air conditioning, ‘dark carbon’ leather upholstery, heated front seats, rear parking sensors, a reversing camera and the RenaultSport Monitor 2.0.

Clio RS Monaco GP

In September 2014, the limited-run Clio RS Monaco GP was released. Based on the Clio RS Cup, the Clio RS Monaco GP had gloss black 18-inch ‘Radicale’ alloy wheels, Renault’s connected R-Link tablet, RenaultSport Monitor 2.0, ‘Riveria carbon’ leather upholstery with grey stitching, heated front seats, ‘Technique Grey’ seatbelts, ‘Monaco GP’ branded door sills, grey-bordered floor mats, rear privacy glass and ‘Dark Metal decorative signatures’ for the steering wheel, gear lever knob and gaiter, steering wheel boss and loudspeaker surrounds.

Visually, the Clio RS Monaco GP could be identified by its Pearl White paint finish with contrasting Diamond Blackroof, and gloss black finishes (for the front blade, rear diffuser, side protective strips, door handles, door mirrors and rear spoiler) and ‘Monaco GP’ badge on the lower protective panels.

Only fifty-five (55) Monaco GP vehicles were delivered to Australia.

2015 Clio RS 220 Trophy

The Renault Clio RS 220 Trophy was released in Australia in December 2015. For the Clio RS 220, changes for the MR16DDT engine included:

• A larger turbocharger which provided peak boost pressure of 1.03 bar;
• A revised air intake and exhaust to reduce back-pressure losses;
• The rev limit was increased to 6800 rpm (from 6500 rpm); and,
• Revised mapping.

Like the post-June 2015 Clio RS 200 engine, the Clio RS 220 engine had a Stop&Start function.

For the Clio RS 220 Trophy, the EDC transmission was recalibrated for 50 per cent faster shifts and the steering wheel paddles were revised with 30 per cent shorter travel for a more immediate and responsive feel. As a result, the Clio RS 220 Trophy could accelerate from rest to 100 km/h in 6.6 seconds.

Other changes for the Clio RS 220 Trophy included lower suspension (by 20 mm at the front and 10 mm at the rear), firmer dampers and 40 per cent stiffer rear springs. For the steering, there was a 10 per cent reduction in the rack ratio from 14.5:1 to 13.2:1 for more direct steering

The Clio RS 220 Trophy was fitted with high-performance Michelin Pilot Super Sport 205/40 R18 tyres on 18-inch ‘Radicale’ wheels with black inserts and diamond-effect facings. Inside, the Clio RS 220 featured leather front sports seats with integrated head rests, heated front seats and an embossed leather trim steering wheel. Furthermore, the gear lever base plate and air-vent inserts were finished in satin-effect chrome rather than the anodised red of the standard Clio RS 200.

Australian deliveries of the Clio RS 220 Trophy were limited to 220 vehicles.

Brochure

• Brochure: Renault X98 Clio RS 200 Turbo (December 2013)
• Brochure: Renault X98 Clio RS 200 Turbo (November 2014)
• Brochure: Renault X98 Clio RS 200 and RS 220 Trophy (November 2015)

Related links

• Press kit: Renault X98 Clio RS 200 Turbo (December 2013)
• Specifications: Renault X98 Clio RS 200 Monaco GP (September 2014)

Review: Renault X98.II Clio RS (2017-19)

Overview

Production of the Renault X98 Phase II (X98.II) Clio RS commenced in August 2016 and it was officially released in Australia in August 2017. For Australia, the X98.II Clio RS range initially consisted of Sport and Cup variants, with the Trophy following in October 2017.

Visually, the X98.II Clio RS could be identified by its redesigned front bumper and multi-faceted ‘R.S. Vision’ LED lighting signature which provided three power intensities and three different functionalities: fog/cornering lights, high beam and low beam. According to Renault, ‘R.S. Vision’ enhanced night-time visibility by co-ordinating the fog lights, cornering lights, side lights and long-range headlights.

Features: Renault Clio RS Sport and Cup

For the Renault X98 Phase II Clio RS, standard features were extended to include a digital radio tuner (DAB), climate control air conditioning, LED headlights (Renault’s ‘R.S. Vision’), front fog lights, front parking sensors and a tyre pressure warning system.

For a complete list of features, please refer to the brochure below.

Renault X98 Phase II Clio RS Trophy

The Renault X98 Phase II Clio RS Trophy was released in Australia in October 2017. Compared to the X98 Phase I Clio RS Trophy that was introduced in 2015, the X98 Phase II Clio RS Trophy had the same engine, lowered chassis, stiffer springs and dampers, recalibrated EDC transmission and faster steering ratio. However, the X98 Phase II Clio RS Trophy was further equipped with:

• A Bose premium sound system with seven high-performance speakers (two dashboard tweeters, two woofers in the front doors, two speakers in the rear doors and a Richbass woofer in the boot) with a digital amplifier; and,
• A titanium Akrapovic exhaust system.

Renault Clio RS 18

Named after the Renault Sport Formula One Team’s 2018 car, the limited edition Renault Clio RS 18 was released in Australia in March 2018. Based on the Renault Clio RS 220 EDC Trophy, the Renault Clio RS 18 could be identified by its Deep Black paint finish, Liquid Yellow highlights (for the front blade, side mouldings and wheel centre caps), ‘R.S. 18’ badging on the front doors, grey decals and RS double-diamond logo on the roof. Inside, the Renault Clio RS 18 had a numbered ‘R.S.’ branded door sill, Alcantara/leather-trimmed steering wheel, ‘carbon fibre-effect’ air vent surrounds and ‘Renault Sport’ carpet mats. The Renault Clio RS 18 had a recommended retail price of $39,990 and Australian deliveries were limited to 10 vehicles.

Brochure

• Brochure: Renault X98 Phase II Clio RS (July 2017)

Related links

• Wikipedia.org: Renault X98 Clio