Renault Sport Clio V6: The Latest Mid-Engine Hot Hatch Ever
Image Above By Alexandre Prévot from Nancy, France - Renault Clio V6, CC BY-SA 2.0, Source
The Renault Sport Clio V6, or known as the Renault Clio V6 is probably one of the latest mind-blowing hot hatchbacks ever made. All hot hatchbacks that we might think have a normal front engine with the passenger and boot space shared in one space together. But, have you ever wondered about a hot hatchback with an engine placed in the rear seats of the car? That seems impossible for anybody to think like that.
This car made it into reality when Renault Clio V6 launched in 2001. It had a mid-engine and rear-wheel drive in a hatchback shell. Plus, this Clio V6 is not an independently made car. It is actually based on a regular Clio of the same generation that has a rational front engine that drives to the front wheels. It might not be an easy job for them to engineer this hot hatchback from the regular model.
The Clio V6 had two different models throughout its 5 production years. The first model known as 'Phase 1' launched in 2001 was built by Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR) in Sweden. Meanwhile, Phase 2 which came out in 2003 was built by the Renault Sport team in Dieppe, France. In total, 2864 units were made, 1555 units for Phase 1 and 1309 units for Phase 2.
1. Engine & Gearbox
By Tennen-Gas - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Source
The Clio V6 is powered by a 2.9-litre naturally aspirated V6 (2946 cm3) that initially puts out 226 hp and 300 Nm (221 lb. ft.) of torque for the Phase 1 model (Source: Auto-Data.net, 2000 Renault Clio Sport (Phase I) 3.0 V6 (226 Hp)). In 2003, Renault Sport upgraded the engine output of the Phase 2 model to 254 hp with the same torque figure (Source: Auto-Data.net, 2003 Renault Clio Sport (Phase II) 3.0i V6 24V (254 Hp)). Both models were only mated with a 6-speed manual gearbox.
2. Performance
Phase 1 can sprint from 0-60 mph in 6.1 seconds (0-100 km/h in 6.4 seconds) with a maximum speed of 146 mph (235 km/h) (Source: Auto-Data.net, 2000 Renault Clio Sport (Phase I) 3.0 V6 (226 Hp)). On the other hand, the increase in power for Phase 2 resulted in 0-60 mph acceleration in 5.5 seconds (0-100 km/h in 5.8 seconds) with a top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h) (Source: Auto-Data.net, 2003 Renault Clio Sport (Phase II) 3.0i V6 24V (254 Hp)).
The second is the brakes. Phase 1 has ventilated discs at the front and normal discs at the back (Source: Auto-Data.net, 2000 Renault Clio Sport (Phase I) 3.0 V6 (226 Hp)). They changed to ventilated discs as well at the back for Phase 2 (Source: Auto-Data.net, 2003 Renault Clio Sport (Phase II) 3.0i V6 24V (254 Hp)).
3. Interior
Stepping inside into Clio V6 is quite hard because of the wide door sill. Most supercars have wide door sills in order to improve the rigidity of the car. But, the V6 is just a body kit of the door sill stuck onto the regular Clio door sill. It is built together with its wide body kit as one piece. The most special interior touch of the Clio V6 is the plaque placed on the centre console that wrote the model name with the production number.
The biggest change compared to the standard Clio is of course the substitution of the rear seats with the engine.
Next is the gear stick which has a more performance look with the Alcantara gear stick cover. Plus, the silver knob and a sliver surround the base of the stick with some rivets. The Alcantara also appears on the door panel. Finally, it can’t be a sports car without more aggressive front seats fitted into the car with 'Renault Sport' letters on it. Other than that, the interior of the car is just based on a regular Clio that is meant for an affordable city car.
4. Exterior
By Mike Roberts (cosmic_spanner) from London, United Kingdom - Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0, Source
The minor difference between Phase 1 (silver car) and Phase 2 (blue car) models are both have different front looks. The most obvious change compared to the regular Clio is its wide body. Interestingly, the V6 had a unique implementation of the wide body. Most hot hatchbacks will create a different panel from their regular model creating a wide body. That's not the case with the V6.
From the rear bumper to the front doors, the wide body is like a body kit that is stuck onto the regular Clio body. But, they created a unique wide body together with a bumper at the front like most cars with a wide body would do. The wide body of this car is not for cosmetic purposes only.
Since the engine and the driven wheels are transferred to the rear of the car, a bigger room is needed for those components to be placed. Besides, the wide-body helps to create an air intake to cool the engine.
Another difference between both is in wheel size. Phase 1 is fitted with 17-inch (Source: Auto-Data.net) from O.Z. Racing (Source: YouTube, Doug DeMuro, The Renault Clio V6 Is an Amazing Mid-Engine Hot Hatchback) and Phase 2 uses 18-inch (Source: Car Pages).
The wheels on the Phase 2 model are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport tires specially created for this car. Not only that, the Phase 2 model has a longer rear spoiler and the taillights look fresher and more modern.
The Phase 1 model is only available in three colours namely Mars Red, Illiad Blue and Iceberg Silver. The Phase 2 model has 11 different colours. The colours are Black Gold, Titanium, Illiad Blue, Liquid Yellow, Acid Yellow, Mars Red, Deep Bronze, Lunar Grey, Inferno, Technical Grey and Moonlight.
The Deep Bronze is the rarest colour found in only four Clio V6 units in the world. Two of them are the right and left steering units respectively.
5. Mechanicals
Apart from the conversion of the engine placement and driven wheels from front to back, the Clio V6 Phase 1 has a weight of 1355 kg (2987 lb.). Meanwhile, Phase 2 has 1400 kg (3086 lb.) of weight.
In terms of suspension, Phase 1 has MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion beam at the back (Source: Auto-Data.net, 2000 Renault Clio Sport (Phase I) 3.0 V6 (226 Hp)). However, Phase 2 is quite different where it uses multi-link suspensions at the rear (Source: YouTube, JayEmm on Cars, Renault's Craziest Idea? 2005 Clio V6 Phase 2 Review).
6. Dimensions
The Clio V6 is not a big car as compared to current hot hatchbacks, except for its wide-body which makes it quite a wide car. Here are the details.
Clio V6 Phase 1
• Length: 3800 mm (150 inches).• Wheelbase: 2511 mm (99 inches).
• Height: 1360 mm (54 inches).
• Width: 1810 mm (71 inches).
Track width:
• Front: 1500 mm (59 inches).
• Rear: 1510 mm (59 inches).
Clio V6 Phase 2
• Length: 3841 mm (151 inches).• Wheelbase: 2532 mm (100 inches).
• Height: 1351 mm (53 inches).
• Width: 1830 mm (72 inches).
• Width (including side mirrors): 1940 mm (76 inches).
Track width:
• Front: 1518 mm (60 inches).
• Rear: 1470 mm (58 inches).
7. Price
According to Top Gear, the price of Phase 1 in the U.K. when new was £25,995 / 32,236.66 USD / MYR138,069.63. However, Phase 2 had a higher price to pay, £27,125 / 33,637 USD / MYR144,071.50, for a Clio (Source: Wikipedia). In terms of the market value of this car, the most expensive Clio V6 ever sold was at £90,000 / 111,609.91 USD / MYR478,025.25 from an auction in the Collecting Cars platform.
The car wears a very rare 'Acid Yellow' colour. The colour is only available in 8 right-hand drive cars out of 21 units total on the planet. Plus, the mileage at that time was just over 17,000 miles (over 27,359 km). You can check out other details about the car here. Expect that the market price of the Clio V6 is currently above its original price figure when new.
8. Maintenance & Care
By Alexander Migl - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Source
The Phase 1 Clio V6 is notoriously dangerous to drive. With the car's small size and high-powered engine in the middle, it is easy to drive aggressively. If this car loses its grip, it will be impossible for the driver to overcome it. So, the last thing that will happen is an accident.
To overcome this problem, the Renault Sport team improved the suspension and dimensions for the Phase 2 model.
From the aspect of the engine, it proved to be a relatively durable engine. Since access to the engine is quite difficult, it certainly gives some relief to the owners. However, owners are urged to check the engine oil between each service appointment. Because the engine is quite difficult to access, neglect of engine oil care is normal.
A misfire on a Phase 1 model can occur and a coil change can resolve this. If you are interested in purchasing a Phase 2 model, make sure the engine injection system is reprogrammed.
Next, check the noise when changing gears as it is feared that the synchromesh will have issues if the car has been driven aggressively. A rattling sound will be heard every time you change gears. Avoid the car if you are not too sure.
For the brake part, be sure to change the brake pads every 12,000 miles to 18,000 miles (19,000 km to 29,000 km). Whereas, change every 24,000 miles (38,000 km) for disc brakes. Take note if there is a knocking sound in the suspension area. Bushings require more frequent replacement on Phase 1 models which are as low as every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
You can find an expert to detect any visible defects on the bodywork and scratches on the car's underside. Unfortunately, the cost of replacing the bodywork of a car damaged in an accident is quite expensive. The front door for the Phase 1 model is at risk of falling slightly from its original position.
Although the interior of the car uses relatively cheap materials, the build quality is very satisfactory. Discuss with the owner if a rattling sound is detected during the test drive session.
Additionally, check the condition of the water line around the front boot door as it can leak. The condition of the wheels greatly affects the way a car drives. A small violation of the wheel adversely affects the suspension system.
Tyres for the Clio V6 need to be changed more often, especially for the rear, which is every 7500 miles (12,000 km). Ideally, keep using Michelin Pilot Sport tyres specially designed for this car even though the cost is quite high.
9. Efficiency
The Clio V6 Phase 1 has a combined fuel consumption of 11.2 L/100 km (25.2 UK mpg/21 US mpg) (Source: Auto-Data.net, 2000 Renault Clio Sport (Phase I) 3.0 V6 (226 Hp)). On the other hand, Phase 2 has a slightly higher combined fuel consumption, 11.9 L/100km (23.7 UK mpg/19.8 US mpg) (Source: Auto-Data.net, 2003 Renault Clio Sport (Phase II) 3.0i V6 24V (254 Hp)).
As for CO2 emissions, Phase 1 recorded 267 g/km (Source: Automobile Detail) with a higher 285 g/km for Phase 2 (Source: Auto-Data.net, 2003 Renault Clio Sport (Phase II) 3.0i V6 24V (254 Hp)).
Renault Sport Clio V6 is an amazing creation. With its crazy wide-body, unexpected engine placement in the middle of the hatchback, on top of the driven wheels that shift to the back. This car deserves to be the most memorable hot hatchback for every car enthusiast and automotive history.
