Renaultsport unleashes 200kW Clio RS16

Renault has revealed its concept for the fastest Renault Clio RS ever at the Monaco Grand Prix.

Called the Clio RS16, the hot French hatch was unveiled in front of Formula 1 fans in a high-speed demonstration driven by works-Renault F1 driver Kevin Magnussen.

Based on the Clio RS220 Trophy, the new RS16 sees the small Renault dump its turbocharged 162kW/280Nm 1.6-litre and dual-clutch automatic gearbox for the 201kW/368Nm 2.0-litre turbo and six-speed manual from the Megane RS275 Trophy-R.

The Megane RS275 Trophy-R briefly held the Nurburgring front-drive lap record before it was usurped by the Honda Civic Type-R but, with the new engine and a lighter body, the hottest Clio ever could help reclaim the prestigious record.

Said to have been created in just five months, the project was only green-lit in December by Renault management.

Believed to be at least 100kg lighter than the Megane RS, the Clio RS16 should be significantly quicker than the RS275 Trophy-R -- with a 0-100km/h time of less than five-seconds expected -- despite its slower manual gearshift.

Originally, there were concerns the 2.0-litre might alter the Clio RS' handling but, the weight of the heavier engine (over the small 1.6 it replaces), was offset by the light weight of the six-speed manual.

Helping reduce weight further is the addition of a lightweight lithium-ion cell that replaces a lead-acid battery, saving 15kg alone.

To cope with the greater torque of the Megane RS' engine, engineers carried over the bigger hatch's torque steer-reducing PerfoHub -- but this change meant the RS16 needed bespoke front suspension struts, springs and adjustable Ohlin dampers from the Megane Trophy-R.

At the rear of the car the torsion beam set-up remains, but differs from the standard RS 200 as the beam itself has been lifted from the Renaultsport R3T Clio rally car. The reason for the change is the motorsport item is said to be 50 per cent stiffer.

Brakes, meanwhile, are large 360mm Brembo discs up front that sit on aluminium hubs from the Megane RS Trophy-R's optional Nurburgring pack.

Wheels are lightweight 19-inch rims made by Speedline.

Wider front and rear wheel tracks have also meant a return of big wheel-arches not seen since the Clio V6. This time the Clio RS16 gets composite arch extensions and side sills bonded to the Clio's body.

At the back of the car the fast small Renault gets the Clio Cup factory racer's rear wing that generates 40kg of downforce at speeds of up to 200km/h.

The Clio RS16S keeps the standard car's rear diffuser but now comes with two outlets cut into it to make room for the new Akrapovic exhaust pipes.

Cooling at the front of the car to the 2.0-litre turbo's intercooler is aided by a new front splitter that channels air towards it.

Inside, the rear seats have been ditched to save weight while a pair of lightweight near-competition-spec bucket sets replace the standard chairs.

Renault has yet to confirm a production version of the Clio RS16, but a decision is expected to be made this July/August. If green-lit, the French car-maker likely to announce a batch of up to 250 cars, with the first production cars arriving early 2017.

If built, pricing is expected to be confirmed at around $60,000 in Europe -- more in Australia, where it's almost certain a small number will head.