The Renault Clio RS200 EDC is the last of the latest hot hatch crowd to arrive in South Africa, following the recent introductions of the Ford Fiesta ST and Peugeot 208 GTI, but while the official launch may be a few weeks off, Renault South Africa has taken the covers off the newest addition to the Clio range at the 2013 Johannesburg International Motor Show.
Key technical highlights include the 1.6-litre turbocharged engine ith 147 kW and 240 Nm of torque. The biggest change to the Clio RS recipe is the introduction of a new 6-speed EDC dual clutch transmission with steering column-mounted gear shift paddles.
Launch control and selectable engine maps for part of the ‘RS Drive’ system, which allow adjustable response to driver inputs and a 0 – 100 km/h sprint time of 6.7 seconds. Top speed is 230 km/h, but Renault claim that despite all the performance, average fuel consumption is 6.3 l/100km.
When it comes to cornering, the new Clio RS is aided by Renault Sport Technologies’ (RST) electronic differential. The e-diff works to prevent under-steer and improves traction out of turns. Says Philippe Mérimée, RST’s chief chassis dynamics engineer “We wanted to give New Clio RS 200 EDC everything a driver might expect from a hot hatch: minimal body roll, huge straight-line and cornering potential, responsive steering with high levels of comfort that reflect the car’s versatility.”
The new Renault Clio RS 200 EDC will be launched towards the end of November, at which time more details and pricing will be released.
