A mid-engine V6 in a supermini. Renault moved the engine from the front to behind the rear seats, deleted the back row entirely, widened the body by 100mm each side, and created the most insane production car of the 2000s. The Phase 2 version, developed by TWR, was marginally less lethal than the Phase 1.
History
The Clio V6 took the Renault 5 Turbo's philosophy and applied it to the Clio II. The rear seats were removed, the 3.0-liter V6 from the Laguna was installed transversely behind the cockpit, and the rear bodywork was widened dramatically to accommodate wider wheels.
The Phase 1 (2001-2003), built by TWR, produced 230 PS and was widely described as the most difficult car to drive fast. The short wheelbase, mid-engine weight distribution, and 230 PS through the rear wheels created snap oversteer that caught even experienced drivers.
The Phase 2 (2003-2005) addressed the handling with a longer wheelbase, revised suspension, and increased power to 255 PS. It was still demanding but no longer actively homicidal.
3,800 were built across both phases. The Clio V6 represents the French tradition of taking a perfectly rational small car and turning it into something wonderfully, dangerously irrational.
Phase 1 models command EUR 50,000 to EUR 80,000. Phase 2 models, the better car, trade for EUR 40,000 to EUR 60,000.
Production & Heritage
Value estimates are editorial assessments based on recent auction results and market trends.
Technical Specifications
Engine Details
Performance
Tags
Designed by Renault Sport / TWR
