SPIED: Renault's New Clio RS Hot Hatch Caught for the Very First Time!

These are the very first spy photos of the high-performance model of the soon-to-be-released 2013 Renault Clio supermini, which we will come to know as the Clio RenaultSport or Clio RS.

But wait, how do we know for sure that the camouflaged prototype seen in these photos is indeed the next Clio RS?

Well, that's fairly easy to answer as despite the swirly foil wrap, Renault's engineers made no efforts to hide the rest of the car's trademark racy styling parts.

These include a new front bumper with a wider lower grille sporting a splitter to improve the car's aerodynamics, side skirts, a slightly larger roof spoiler, and a new rear bumper that incorporates a visible diffuser and most telling, a pair of rectangular shaped exhaust pipes on either corner.

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Spied: 2013 Renault Clio Supermini Reveals a Little More Skin

These are the latest spy pictures of the next generation Renault Clio hatchback, to be revealed at the upcoming 2012 Paris Motor Show this September before it goes on sale initially in Europe by the end of the year and other markets around the world shortly after.

This time, Renault's engineers had stripped away some of the camouflage affording us a new look at the car's front and rear lights as well as the hidden rear-door handles.

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Spied: 2013 Renault Clio Mk4 Continues Testing Prior to Paris Motor Show Debut

One of the most important vehicles in Renault's lineup from a sales perspective, the Clio, will soon give its place to a brand new model that promises to bring a radical redesign of both the exterior and interior as well better materials and higher quality throughout.

The fourth generation of the Clio will bow at the upcoming 2012 Paris Motor Show at the end of September and go on sale shortly after.

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Dramatic Rescue of Polish Racers Trapped in Renault Clio that Flipped into a Lake

Video footage of a chilling incident that serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by racing drivers has surfaced online.

The accident took place in Poland during the first stage of the 2012 Mazowiecki Rally when a Renault Clio racecar crashed and flipped over landing into a pond, roof first trapping both the driver, Patrick Osowiecki and his navigator, Maciej Wrona.

The two men were under water tied up in their racing bucket seats.

Luckily for them, even though there were no officials around, rally fans came to their rescue almost immediately saving them from the worst. You can watch the dramatic footage in the video after the jump.

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Final Renault Clio RS 197 F1 Team R27 Rolls off Production Line

The 500th and final Renault Clio RenaultSport 197 F1 Team R27 (we’re not joking; that’s its full name…) rolled of the production line at the Renaultsport factory at Dieppe in Northern France. The limited-edition Clio RS was launched in April and featured the new Cup chassis setting with a lowered ride height and stiffer springs and dampers. Just 500 were produced for the UK market. -Continued

The last model was produced in a one-off colour of Glacier White and it will be given to a member of the Community section of Renaultsport.co.uk site, James Brookes. According to Renault, Brookes is a keen owner of a Clio Renaultsport 172 Cup and wanted a 197 F1 Team R27. His family were all passionate Renaultsport enthusiasts; his brother Will with a Clio and his father Steve working at the Renault Dealership Wests of Bedford. Tragically Will passed away in an accident in September and David Lee, a friend of the family, approached Renault through the Community section to see if a one-off car could be produced for James in memory of his brother. Renaultsport was pleased to help and the very last R27 was built in the one-off colour.

The Clio for James is being delivered this month though Wests of Bedford. James said, “I am overwhelmed by all the support that has been given to make this happen and would like to say special thanks to all at Renault. In particular, I’d like to say thank you to my friend David Lee who put the idea to Renault in the first place. This is a very special car, built in memory of a very special person and it will be enjoyed as he would have wished.”

Renault Clio RS "World Series": New Basic Version Inaugurates Improved Gearbox

To coincide with the World Series by Renault meeting at France’s Magny-Cours racetrack that took place last week, Renault introduced a new base version of its acclaimed Clio Renault Sport (RS) that undercuts the standard models price by €1,300 - $1,840 in France. Before we get into any details, allow us to enlighten you with the full name of Renault’s 2.0-liter & 200Hp GTi: Renault Clio Renault Sport World Series by Renault. Talk about a self centered company… -Continued after the jump

Apart form the lower price tag (€21,900 or $31,000 in France) which has been achieved by removing various standard features (there’s no AC, curtain airbags, radio or fog lights), the signature edition features distinctive black satin-finish wheels, dark anthracite hubcaps, and special “World Series By Renault” décor. The “World Series By Renault” Clio Renault Sport (…) is available in a choice of three opaque colors (glacier white, dynamo blue, toro red) and two metal colours (profond black, monako blue).

Notably, the Clio RS WSR (that sounds much better) debuts a revised version of the Renault-Nissan developed, TL4 six-speed manual transmission which features a new gearbox staging On the fifth and sixth gears, the staging has been extended to improve vehicle acoustics, under motorway driving conditions in particular. This gearbox adaptation will be carried across to all Clio Renault Sport versions from October.

Via: Diariomotor , Source: Renault

This new signature edition extends the Clio Renault Sport range:

• “World Series By Renault” Clio Renault Sport €21,900
• Clio Renault Sport €23,200
• Clio Renault Sport Luxe €25,200
• Clio F1 Team R27 €24,700

Exterior styling

• Foglamps -Option
• Foglamp blanking caps -Standard
• Door handles in textured black finish -Standard
• Cup wheels in black satin finish -Standard
• Dark anthracite wheels (with Cup chassis) -Option
• Side strips in textured black finish -Standard
• Wing mirrors in textured black finish -Standard

Comfort

• Three-place rear seat (with 1/3 - 2/3 configuration) -Standard
• Manual air conditioning -Option
• Electric wing mirrors -Option
• Electric front windows -Standard
• Radio pre-equipment -Standard
• 2x15W radio with separate display and steering wheel controls -Option
• Rear window wiper -Standard
• F1 tool kit (without jack) -Standard
• Single ceiling light at front -Standard

Interior design

• Dashboard in dark carbon -Standard
• Dashboard trim in satin chrome finish -Standard
• Door panels in dark carbon -Standard
• Door handles in textured black finish -Standard
• Single-tone horn -Standard
• Cup chassis -Option
• Renault Sport front seats -Standard
• Recaro seats -Option
• Dynamique steering wheel without cruise control & speed limiter -Standard

Safety

• Thorax airbags -Standard
• Curtain airbags -Option
• Rear seatbelts with pretensioner -Option

2008 Renault Clio Estate: Frankfurt Premier For Clio SW

The new Renault Clio Estate is the production version of the Clio Grand Tour Concept previewed at the Geneva Motor Show back in March. Apart from the addition of a set of rear doors, the Estate’s appearance is toned down compared to the 3door concept (see pics after the jump) so as to appeal to a more conservative base of buyers. According to Renault’s Spartan press release, the 4,2 metre long Clio Estate features a boot capacity of 439 liters. -Click "Read More..." for the teaser press release

Clio Estate at the Frankfurt Motor Show

Clio Estate will receive its world premiere at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. Its design echoes the staple lines of Clio Grand Tour Concept, which was unveiled at the last Geneva Motor Show.

Clio Estate is firmly focused on leisure pursuits. It strikes a perfect balance between sleek design with its angled rear screen and spaciousness with the generous volumes of its luggage area (439 dm3 VDA).

At 4.2 metres in length it is a compact vehicle that builds on the strengths of Clio III in terms of driving pleasure, interior space, comfort, and safety.