06 Jul 05
This must be motoring nirvana. A twisty track in northern France. Wet but drying conditions. And this, the Renaultsport Clio 182 Trophy. Indeed, to relinquish grip of its steering wheel before the last drop of unleaded has been puffed out the twin exhausts would feel like being expelled from Shangri La's gates. It really is that good.
The Clio 182 Trophy has been produced by Renaultsport's factory in Dieppe and will be sold to just 500 British enthusiasts (although 25 left-hookers will be built for minted Swiss Renault fans too), it costs £15,500, and is the last hurrah for the second-generation Clio before the all-new model arrives in early 2006.
Power comes from the same 2.0-litre engine as found in the more common Clio 182; that develops 182bhp and 147lb ft of torque, and gives the Clio Trophy a sub-seven second 0-62mph time and a top speed of 140mph. And compared with the regular 182, the Trophy gains Recaro sports seats, unique paint and Trophy livery as well as lightweight alloys and a rear spoiler borrowed from the Clio V6.
