The Clio V6 is a legend of the hot hatch world. A properly outrageous endorsement designed to showcase Renault's racing heritage and show how far they could push the Clio platform, both techincally and emotionally. Today these cars mark a time where manufacturers we're brave, they were willing to try different things not just to push the envelope technically, but also push it just because they can and they wanted to.

The Model

Renault is no stranger to hot hatches and pushing the bounderies through homologation specials and hot hatches. Their first outing was the Renault 5 Turbo which was created in 1980 to comply with the Group 4 rally homologation to allow the car the compete internationally on the rally stage, it was Renaults response to the success Lancia had seen with the Stratos. Under homologation rules Renault had to build and sell 400 cars, despite its hefty price tag thanks to many bespoke parts, Renault had no problem shifting units and managed to sell 1,870 cars, well above the level required for homologation. This success was then followed up with the Renault 5 Turbo 2, although not a homologation special it shared many of the outrageous stats and style of the Tubo 1, abeit with more standard Renault 5 parts and I'm sure more profitable, 3,167 Tubo 2's were produced by 1984 making it the more commercial success of the two.

Fast foward to 2001 where Renault launched the spiritual successor to the Renault 5 Turbo, the Renault Clio V6 RenaultSport to give it its full name. This time the Clio V6 was not created from the need of a homologation requirement, but more as a halo model to celebrate and promote the Mk2 Clio. It was however inspired by the Clio V6 Trophy, a race car developed in house by Renault, although the resemlence is purely cosmetic.

The Clio V6 was engineer and manufactured by Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR), TWR were already infamous having created many special race cars, homologation specials and collaborated on the Jaguar XJ220. The TWR magic is evidently present on the Clio V6, the engine was originally used in the Renault Laguna and Espace, was developed further to now produce 227bhp and mid-mounted in the TWR developed body. The car was longer, lower and wider than a standard Clio, in fact it was 17cm wider, all to accommodate engine, air-intakes and wider track. This gives the Clio V6 presence, not just hot hatch presence but a true Supercar level of presence, it alerts the world that you are in its company.

The stats around the Clio V6 do not do it justice. It can reach 60mph in 6.2 seconds, barely faster than it's little brother the Clio 172 which would dispatch 60 in 6.7 seconds. And where the Clio 172 is famed for being one of the best handling hot hatches in existence, the Clio V6 is feared for its apetite to swap-ends at the limit thanks to the physics of mid-mounting a heavy 30 V6 in a short and wide wheelbase. However, it is preceisely these shortcommings that make the car so legendary and loved, a beast to be tamed, a car that ensures every drive is an event and that each flaw is just added character. Renault and TWR didn't need to make this car, the Clio 172 was already seen as the hot hatch king, but the car world is so much better that they did create the Clio V6 and cars like these must be celebrated.

This Car

The example we have for sale here is one of the very first to have been built. Originally used as the Renault press car, this cars first public outing was in 2001 when Jenson Button took too the hill at Goodwood to showcase the car to the world. The car was then loaned to Jenson where he proceeded to use the car when living in Monaco, whilst there he took the time to interview with Renault Magazine where he talked through a lap of Monaco whilst behind the wheel of the Clio.

In 2012, the President of the British Women Racing Drivers Club took ownership of the car, she kept the vehicle SORN and as part of the families collection, before selling it to its current owner in 2021. Since 2021 the car has seen sporadic use but has been kept well stored, laterly by ourselves at Ranmore.

In Summary

The Clio V6 is a bit of a legend of a car. Everybody knows that the concept has shortcomings, but that those flaws only add to the legend of the car, so much so that values of these cars have continued to rise as people seek out cars that have a story and character. This example, having seen duty as Jenson Buttons toy, has a little more story than most, making this an enticing proposition.

Please do get in contact to find out more about this car or to arrange a viewing.