German Car Forum

The rumours were true; Renault has today released information and pictures of a new, even harder Renaultsport Clio – the Clio Renault F1 Team R27. Contrary to expectations though, it will be no more powerful than the standard car.


The Clio R27 was unveiled in Amsterdam at the launch of Renault's R27 F1 car. It'll feature a special Sirius Yellow paint job, red brake callipers and Renault F1 Team badging.


Inside each limited edition Clio R27 will get a numbered plate and Recaro seats. Where it differs most from the standard Clio 197 is in its chassis. The Clio R27 sits on the same basic chassis components as the new Clio Cup race car; it has a lower ride height than the 197, and custom springs and dampers. At each corner are special 17in dark anthracite alloy wheels.


The combined effect of all the tweaks should be a Clio with a more hardcore temperament than the 'ordinary' 197, but no more straight line speed. For that, we'll have to wait until later in the car's life, say company insiders, when the drivetrain from the larger Megane R26, complete with turbocharger and limited slip differential, could find its way into the Clio's engine compartment; if it does, it could result in the fastest and most compelling Renault hot hatch since the Renault 5 Turbo.

Source: Autocar

I don't like the new clio. The clio II was nice one, but boring to drive, the Clio I was very nice (at last at that time) and fun enough to drive (ok, not as much as a bimmer).

The clio III is boring and boring. I'd rather get a Polo over this and i WILL do it sometime in summer...

Ooo, I'm not so sure about that Giannis my mate... after all we're talking Clio Sports here and not just the lowly French appliance-on-wheels models.

That Renault Clio II Sport 182, is widely heralded as the best front wheel drive hot hatch of all time - particularly in Trophy guise with those supreme Sachs dampers. Sadly, I've never driven the Trophy but judging from the "ordinary" 182 - it must be fantastic! Such adjustability on the throttle.

I'd wager that the Clio Sports are quite apart from the lesser cooking models in terms of driver enjoyment.

The Clio III 197 is already getting some very good press. It's only the engine's lack of low down torque (in the 182 is was fine for a car weighing less that 1100 kg) coupled to the increase in weight by 200 kilos that blunts the accelerative performance of the car unless you're willing to thrash it.

The Clio III is significantly bigger than the previous car and this was done to ensure longevity and competitiveness for the duration of the model's lifecycle. The extra weight will be offset by a turbo'd engine midway through the Clio III's lifespan - I'm certain of it.

I dislike French cars quite strongly, Renault included, but I absolutely adore the hot Clio hatches...

Mate, I dont think you realise how good the new renault clio 197 is.

CAR magazine when testing the top 10 cars of 2006 said that if porsche were to make a hatchback sports car then it would be 'THE 197'

Thats how good the 197 is. When testing the porsche (I think 997 or GT3 dunno which 1) CAR magazine said that the 197 was going round the bends just like the porsche

Still waiting for a new Turbo 5 succesor ...
How about a V6 engine derived from the F1 RS27 V8, coupled with a sequential, add some carbon fibre, bit of F1 aero package ...

Who are you addressing in your post TrueAMG?

I'm guessing Gannis?

You don't think the Renaultsport Clio V6 was a worthy successor IE? That was a lairy, hairy Clio!

Quite over the top of course, but I like the way you think... (on this particular topic of course )

I must say that I don't agree with this at all.

I have owned a Polo an Audi and I now drive the clio 3. My brother has the clio 2.

From what I have come to know is that just with regards to specs the Clio knocks the Polo out of the park. The handling... well.

I understand that the Clio has no steering feel, I wish they didnt make it so dead. On that note the Polo isn't far behind. But regardless of the steering feel the Clio more than makes up for that with the handling of the car.

When driving the Polo on the 'limit' it used to wollow like crazy. It used to wind up and understeer. Sure it was safe but if a Clio is boring as you say then the Polo was horizontal.

With the Clio, you can at least commit into a corner and carry the speed. The inside wheel lifts around the tight stuff too, that is the sign of a good chassis.

The ride is also muuch better, the polo although soft, didnt ride the manholes and bumps as well. I know this example isn't great but driving a Polo over speed bumps was an event, it would keep bouncing 10 minutes afterwards. The Clio, with its damping, soughts the speed bump out with much greater ease.

I think that ulitmately a Mini is the best choice with regards to handling, the ride is a bit jarring depending on what version you drive. What the mini lacks is standard equipment :lol: but that is off topic.

I cant imagine going back to a Polo after having experienced the Clio, much much better.

Thanks for the reply Martin, and you TrueAMG and kartno38, too!

To begin with, at my first post i was talking about the Clios in general, not specificaly about the top-of-the-line Clio 3, thing that i totally forgot about.

But, i have to say that i drive a 1990 Clio I (1.4) for about ten years and i had to live only with a Clio II (1.4) for about two weeks since i had my licence plates temporarily removed by police for illegal parking, back in 2001.

Now, i have not lived with the Clio III like i did with the previous models, but from a little testdrive i had, i was not impressed. I think it was just ok. I drove only the 1.4 engine, which interests me most and it didn't have that sport feeling, like the good old Clio I. It was very comfortable like almost all Renaults, i have to admit. But it had some medium quality plastics and the whole feeling you get from the car, is not the best in its segment.

Comparing it with the Polo, i think the Polo is just better. Why i compared the Clio with the Polo? Because i will be in the market for a mini is some months and i was between the Polo and Clio, and i chose Polo.

About Clio III 192, i am not sure what my exact feelings are. I don't like the design and the plastics. I have not driven the car, but i have heard, and you also said that this car is hell fun to drive. I am not against that car, but i'm not a fan of it either...

Giannis, I honestly believe the new Clio III is a more sophisticated and upmarket hatch (engine for engine) than the current Polo - a car that I'm well acquainted with given that it's my daily commuter - which is showing its age and is in dire need of a next generation refresh.

My biggest complaint is the handling trade-off in favour of nice ride quality. The Polo is comfortable but it's also darn sloppy in the corners. It's got that typical turn-of-the-century VW front suspension idiosyncracy: springs too soft, dampers too firm. The rear torsion beam suspension is about as interactive and involved in the handling process as a dead cockroach.

I wouldn't get a new Polo - I'd wait if I had to have the VW badge. At this point in time I'd rather a Fiesta (bit small, bit boy-racer) or a Clio III (big car feel in a compact package).

thanks for the reply and the suggestions Martin, and here's my view on this:

I don't really like the looks of the Clio, and i am completely NOT satisfied from the local Renault dealer and service and i have a 10 years experience with Renault.
The Clio might be better in the "driving part", but i will only use the car to go to work, or just go downtown, a 10 minutes drive. I want the car to be able to resist to anything! And i think that it is "VW. For life" My number 1 criteria at the moment is the look. And Polo gets the cake.

The Fiesta is also nice in driving, but i don't like the interior, plus a friend also has one

sorry yes, it was in reply to Giannis and not in any negative sense either. Just a reply to let him know how good the clio III is