However, with the brand looking to go more mainstream over the past five years or so, we’ve seen the proliferation of dual-clutch automatic gearboxes, slightly softer suspension setups and indeed, cars that appeal to a wider audience.
With some 40 years of Formula 1 involvement under its belt and a competitive team in the current season, the RS brand has released another F1 inspired edition, this time based upon the Clio RS 220 Trophy, which follows models such as the Megane RB8, Megane F1 and indeed the Clio R27. I had a chance to drive this new model around Zwartkops International Raceway in Pretoria recently.
Hot hatch inside and out
Released in 2017, the RS 220 Trophy on which the aptly named R.S.18 is based, is still a very sporty looking car, however, this latest limited edition variant really steps up the Clio’s hot hatch game from a design perspective.
The car features Liquid Yellow accents on the front bumper blade, side sills and wheel centre caps, while in a rather bold move, all badging are finished in gloss black with black 18-inch alloy wheels, a black diffuser and gloss black grille completing the exterior transformation.
Inside, the R.S.18 resembles the regular Trophy with an Alcantara and leather-wrapped steering wheel, sporty leather seats, carbon look inserts and the seven-inch R-Link infotainment system with the RS Monitor, which provides driving data such as lap times, boost pressure, oil temperature and various other handy performance data.
Driving R.S.18
The latest generation Clio RS has been slightly disappointing when compared to its razor-sharp older siblings such as the RS 182 Cup and RS 200 RB8. In its quest for sales, the Clio lost some of its driving magic, although the Trophy went a long way to remedying this.
Being very much the same car, albeit with, in my opinion, better tyres in the form of sticky Michelin Pilot Sports, the R.S.18 provides modern hot hatch thrills with the addition of modern conveniences such as an automatic gearbox and four-door practicality.
The perky 1.6-litre motor up front is unchanged, with 162kW/280Nm transmitted to the front wheels through a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox. This allows the little Clio to get from 0-100 km/h in 6.6 seconds. The strong motor and stiff chassis in combination with the Akrapovic exhaust, which provides loud burps on upshifts, makes the Clio a very entertaining car to drive on a circuit.
In addition, the brakes performed admirably while the quick steering rack, lateral grip and traction were all grin-inducing. Out on the road, the Clio can settle down rather well, although that stiff suspension can prove rather unforgiving over our rough road surfaces.
Verdict
The R.S.18 is a yet another limited edition Renault hot hatchback, but its cosmetic enhancements, fun-to-drive dynamics and daily usability make its one of the more appealing limited-run models to appear locally. With a relatively high price tag and rivals such as the new Polo GTI and upcoming Fiesta ST on the horizon likely to undercut it price-wise, the Clio faces a battle to win the hearts of hot hatch loyalists locally. It does have some exclusivity on its side with just 65 units expected to be brought in locally.
Warranty and service
The R.S.18 comes with a five-year/150 000km warranty and a three-year/30 000km service plan.
Pricing
Clio R.S.18 - R449 900
