Renault Sport has unveiled its latest limited-edition model – inspired by the brand’s Formula One car for the upcoming season.
Named the Clio R.S.18 – with the special edition name the same as the Formula One car for 2018 – it comes with bold yellow detailing on the all-black exterior to mirror the livery on former Renault racers.
Aimed at collectors and motorsport enthusiasts, the R.S.18 has a dynamic look and feel both outside and in, and is based on the Clio R.S. 220 EDC Trophy from 2016.
Coming with the same powertrain as the R.S. 220, the R.S.18 has a 217bhp, 1.6-litre turbocharged engine that has been given a torque boost up to 280Nm – meaning a bit more oomph.
The main changes to the R.S. 220 are the exterior design features, such as the yellow front blade, side detailing and bolt caps, which contrasts against the all-black detailing on the rest of the car. It also comes with a custom Akrapovic exhaust system as standard.
The chassis has been stiffened and lowered to allow for a more vibrant drive, with the front damping setup incorporating compression stops for a sharper and more direct turn-in.
Inside, customers will find an Alcantara and leather sports steering wheel and lots of carbon-fibre detailing that emphasise the car’s sporty ethos.
Quentin Audiffren, Clio R.S. product manager at Renault Sport Cars, said: “Renault Sport customers share our passion for motorsport. With this limited-edition model – which is based on the technical foundations of the Clio R.S. 220 EDC Trophy – we are proud to be able to offer them the very best of our engineering expertise.
“Its sporting credentials are expressed by a number of design flourishes drawn directly from the world of Formula 1. The Renault Clio R.S.18 is an eloquent illustration of the close bond that exists between our motorsport activities and our road cars.”
It will be launched for European customers in the first half of 2018, with pricing to be announced at a later date.
