Renault Release Clio Renaultsport 220 Trophy
Renault today reveals the pricing and specification for the hotly awaited Clio Renaultsport 220 Trophy, the exclusive new flag-bearer of the Clio range which was one of the star attractions of the 2015 Geneva Motor Show.
The 220 Trophy, which will make its UK debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed from June 25-28, will deliver 220hp for less than £22,000 (£21,780) and is aimed at track-day enthusiasts and drivers who demand cutting-edge performance, handling, style and equipment for road use. Order books are open now, with first UK deliveries expected in August.
At the same time there have been revisions to the Clio Renaultsport 200 models, with the introduction of EU6-compliant engines featuring Stop&Start. Torque, fuel economy and CO2 emissions have all improved, with the result that the cars now attract a lower BIK rating and VED band.
The Clio Renaultsport 220 Trophy is a numbered special edition model that sits at the top of the Clio Renaultsport range. It features a larger turbocharger and revised mapping compared with the 200 models, boosting the outputs of the 1.6-litre direct-injection turbo engine by 20hp (10 per cent) and 20Nm (8.5 per cent) to 220hp and 260Nm, with a further 20Nm available through the ‘Torque Boost’ feature in fourth and fifth gears.
There is also a revised air intake and exhaust system to minimise back-pressure losses. The rev limit has been raised to 6,800rpm as opposed to 6,500rpm in the 200 versions, with peak power arriving at 6,050rpm. Maximum torque is available at only 2,000rpm. Boost pressure has been increased from 0.96 bar to 1.03 bar. This all translates into a 0-62mph time of 6.6 seconds on the way to a top speed of 146mph.
This more potent and higher-revving version of the Clio Renaultsport power unit is fully EU6-compliant and features Stop&Start, helping towards excellent fuel economy and emissions figures for such a high-performance car of 47.9mpg on the official NEDC combined cycle and 135g/km.
A further contributor to this is the standard Efficient Dual Clutch (EDC) gearbox, which, for the 220 Trophy, has been substantially recalibrated by the performance experts at Renaultsport. It now delivers up to 50 per cent faster shifts and permits greater flexibility in Sport mode for more comfortable driving in built-up areas. The steering wheel-mounted paddles have been revised with 30 per cent shorter travel in order to provide a more immediate and responsive feeling. The higher rev limit along with new software calibration allows earlier down changes under heavy braking during track use.
The Clio Renaultsport 220 Trophy is fitted with the R.S. Drive system with Normal, Sport and Race settings. Stop&Start is deactivated in Sport and Race modes. R.S. Drive permits multiple downshifts when the appropriate paddle is continuously held and also features Launch Control. In Race mode, the gearchange is a manual-only operation; it will not kickdown or change up at the rev limiter without intervention by the driver.
As befits a car designed for maximum enjoyment on race tracks as well as public roads, the 220 Trophy has firmer and lower suspension and faster steering than other Clio models.
The Trophy setting is lowered by 20mm at the front and 10mm at the rear. To put that into perspective, the Cup chassis on the regular Clio Renaultsport is only 3mm lower than the standard set-up. The dampers of the 220 Trophy are firmer and there are 40 per cent stiffer rear springs coupled to motorsport-derived hydraulic bump stops – a feature carried over from the regular 200. The car also has the R.S. Diff to maintain traction in difficult conditions or extreme high-performance track use.
The steering, meanwhile, is incredibly direct thanks to a 10 per cent reduction in the rack ratio from 14.5:1 to 13.2:1. Renaultsport engineers are proud to proclaim it the best steering system on the market. Finally, the 220 Trophy is fitted with high-performance Michelin Pilot Super Sport 205/40R18 tyres on 18-inch ‘Radical’ wheels with black inserts and diamond-effect facings.
CLIO RENAULTSPORT 220 TROPHY PRICING
Model Price
Clio Renaultsport 220 Trophy £21,780
CLIO RENAULTSPORT 200 PRICING
Model Price
Clio Renaultsport 200 £19,130
Clio Renaultsport 200 Lux £20,280
About the Author
Subhash Nair Written work on dsf.my. @subhashtag on instagram. Autophiles Malaysia on Youtube.
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