Renault Clio S – Click above for high-res image gallery
Every so often, Renault impresses and teases us with the launch of a new hot hatch. Impresses because they're widely rated as some of the most dynamically competent micro-machines on the road today. Teases because, well...they don't offer them in North America. So all we can do is admire from abroad such offerings as the Twingo 133 Cup, Clio 200 and Megane R26.R, to name just a few.
The range is set to expand both upwards (with the likes of the new Gordini line-up) and downwards (with the adoption of the GT range), but every once in a while, Renault fakes us out with something that when it comes down to it, really only looks the part. The World Series editions were one recent example, and now the French automaker has launched the Clio S for the British market.
Sure, the Clio S looks the part. It's got 16-inch wheels, a spoiler on the trailing edge of its roof, a front lip spoiler below the grille and racing stripes galore, all done up in contrasting white. But the Clio S lacks the go to back up the show. Engines are limited to 75- and 100-horsepower fours and an 86-hp diesel. Not exactly Renaultsport figures, but then neither are their prices, ranging from £11,209 to £13,458 all-in (that's around $18k-22k USD, not accounting for the UK market's inflated pricing). So for the moment, we can rest easy this time around, neither impressed nor enticed. Details in the release after the jump and photos in the gallery below.
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