Renault Clio RS Monaco GP carries on the tradition in Geneva

Wed, 05 Mar 2014

In the United States, our hot hatchback options are growing, with cars like the Ford Focus ST, Fiesta ST and the new Mini Cooper S keeping American drivers entertained alongside more traditional models like the Volkswagen GTI. What drivers in North America don't get to experience, though, is the French take on la voiture chaude. Considering that, we figured it was high time we took a look at one of the top European hot hatches, the Renault Clio RS.

With 200 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque on tap, courtesy of a 1.6-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder, the Clio RS would make a fine fit on North American roads. 62 miles per hour arrives in 6.7 seconds while the Clio RS tops out at 143 mph. Power is transmitted to the front wheels via a six-speed, dual-clutch transmission.

Renault brought out the Monaco GP edition of the Clio RS at the Geneva Motor Show, marking the fourth car to honor the French principality's annual Formula One race, after the Laguna and Megane coupes and the Megane RS. Boasting pearlescent white paint (which looked pretty weird under the colored lighting of the Renault stand), the option of a contrasting roof and other blacked-out styling features. Monaco GP badges and a numbered plaque round out the tweaks for this purely cosmetic package.

We've got a gallery of live images of the Clio RS Monaco GP above, as well as the stock photos and press release, provided by Renault, below.

A NEW LIMITED EDITION IN THE SPIRIT OF GENTLE(WO)MEN DRIVERS: CLIO R.S. 200 EDC MONACO GP
CLIO R.S. 200 EDC TREATED TO THE MONACO GP TOUCH

A few years ago, Renault paid homage to the Monaco Grand Prix by creating the Monaco GP signature, successively applied to Laguna Coupé, Mégane Coupé and Mégane R.S. Following in the successful wheel tracks of its forebears, Clio R.S. 200 EDC has also been embellished with the spirit associated with the Monaco GP appellation. The new car makes its debut at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show.

With its forceful character, sporting manner, elegance and striking appearance, Clio R.S. 200 EDC has many advantages in addition to its inherent versatility and user friendliness. That's why it will have even greater appeal to a new breed of customer, particularly female, who will appreciate its styling, generous specification and cabin refinement.

A numbered limited edition will be on sale in about 20 markets, including Japan and Australia, from the end of March 2014.

STYLE, A STUNNING SPECIFICATION AND SPORTING ELEGANCE

Clio R.S. 200 EDC Monaco GP is recognisable thanks to its exclusive Pearlescent White paintwork. In some markets, Platinum Grey – another metallic finish – will be available as an option. The black roof is optional. There are black decorative flourishes, too, on the front blade, rear diffuser, side protective strips, door handles, 17-inch Tibor or 18-inch Radicale alloy wheels and door mirrors. The rear spoiler is also finished in black, as is the hatchback shroud when a reversing camera is specified). Finally, a Monaco GP badge adorns the bodywork's lower protective panels.

- Clio R.S. 200 EDC Monaco GP also features a refined cabin dominated by complementary black and grey hues. Dark Metal decorative signatures can be found on the steering wheel, gear lever knob and gaiter, steering wheel boss, loudspeaker surrounds and the internal door handles. The seat belts are finished in Technique Grey.
- Christened Riviera, the leather upholstery incorporates grey stitching. The numbered door sills feature Monaco GP branding and the Renault Sport mats come with a grey border.
- The comprehensive list of standard equipment includes extra-tinted glass (rear side windows and rear screen), heated front seats and Renault's connected R-Link tablet.
- The potent R.S. Monitor 2.0 telemetry system is available as an option. This provides access to the R.S. Replay function, the only system of its kind, which allows users to create and download racing circuits, to watch and review all the data logged during a track day and to share this information via social media networks.
- Clio R.S. 200 EDC Monaco GP has a 1.6 Turbo engine developing 200hp mated to six-speed twin-clutch EDC transmission

By Brandon Turkus