Renault Clio Renaultsport 182 Trophy World Debut
Published: 6th June 2005
Specification
The Trophy is based on the Renaultsport 182 Cup with several technical changes. The suspension is based on the Clio Cup set-up. As a reminder, over the normal Renaultsport 182, this has lower ride height, stiffer springs (20% front, 15% rear), re-rated dampers (+20% front, +10% rear), strengthened front wheel hub carriers and revised steering geometry.
The Trophy suspension is lowered a further 10mm at the front with shorter springs. The dampers are supplied by Sachs Race Engineering and have a unique damping force/velocity curve. Normally only used in competition cars, these dampers cost 10 times more than a conventional road car damper and feature a remote reservoir to accommodate nearly 50% of the oil and gas.
Overall, these chassis modifications give the Trophy much improved damping control at all speeds, improved traction and reduced body movements (roll and pitch). This is particularly noticeable on poor quality roads, i.e. typical English B roads
Inside for the first time, Recaro Sport Trendline seats are fitted, upholstered in black. These lower the driving position by 10mm and also have far greater lateral support and adjustment to the squab depth. The steering wheel is upgraded from the Cup using that fitted to the Clio 182, leather with rubber thumb grips. The door sills have Renaultsport-branded protectors and Trophy logos along the outer side sills.
The UK currently takes over half of all Clio Renaultsport production, so only 500 right hand drive Trophy will be produced (with Switzerland the only other country to market the car). A plaque fitted to the driver’s seat base shows the production number of each car.
The wheels are Speedline Turini in anthracite (these are the same design to those used on the original Renaultsport 172 Cup, though with a different offset and new colour). These wheels save 1.3kg each and this reduction in the unsprung weight further improves the wheel control and therefore handling.
Performance
The engine remains unchanged, but with a two-litre 182hp, 200Nm torque engine providing a 0-62mph time of 6.9 seconds and a top speed of 140mph, Clio Trophy is all about ultimate control.
Megane Renaultsport 225 Trophy and New Laguna GT 205 also debut
Emphasising the va va voom of some of its other performance models, the Clio will be joined by two of its larger siblings, including its Renaultsport big brother, the new limited edition Megane Renaultsport 225 Trophy, and recently introduced Laguna GT 205 with a two-litre turbo engine and sport suspension and interior. Elsewhere on the stand, several of Renault’s chic city cars and stylish, upmarket models will be on show, such as the innovative Modus supermini, the svelte Megane Coupe-Cabriolet and luxurious people carrier, Espace.
Renault Clio
Our Renault Clio Guide lists the full specification of the current UK Clio range, including car prices, fuel consumption, dimensions and other vital data.
Price Range: £8,175 - £16,050
Body Style:
Fuel: /
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Models in the range: 33
Our Car Buyer’s Guide covers all of the UK’s major new cars and includes CO2 ratings and car insurance groups. Data updated on the 21st Sep 2008
