Renault has launched an S version of their Clio hatchback. It’s supposed to be a hot hatch, but don’t be fooled, as the changes are purely cosmetic.

To try and trick any unsuspecting onlookers into thinking you’ve got a hot hatch, it has a nice set styling changes: 16-inch, racing style wheels, front and rear bumpers, tinted rear and tailgate windows, and some optional racing stripes. All these new parts, apart from the tinted windows, of course, are painted in white. They look very good on the car, and if you’re not in the know, you’ll think that it’s quite a quick little car. That’s what we’re here for though, to make sure you know these things.

What can you get under the hood? Well, Renault offers 75 and 100 horsepower gasoline engines, as well as an 86 hp diesel. Not exactly sporty.

However, this isn’t a car to get disappointed about. The normal Clio is a fun little car, despite the low power ratings, and this improves on the already great exterior. So if you’re looking for a Clio with a sporty look, here you go. Pricing ranges from £11,209 to £13,458, so it’s fairly accessible too.

Press Release:

THURSDAY 14TH JANUARY 2010

RENAULT LAUNCHES SPORTY NEW CLIO ‘S’

* New Clio ‘S’ designed to give sport-look and accessible style with affordable prices and frugal engines
* Clio S range priced from £11,209 to £13,458 on-the-road
* Available to order now and in showrooms from March

While its flagship Renaultsport models continue to raise the hot hatch bar and obliterate their rivals in equal measure, Renault is also seeking to bring the sporty look and feel to the core Clio range with the launch of a new ‘S’ version.

Resurrecting the successful Clio S formula from the early 90s, the new three-door versions hark back to the original through their trademark white 16-inch ‘Polar’ alloy wheels. Among the other cosmetic changes, are a white front bumper insert and white ‘GT’ rear spoiler, while to the sides and roof, some optional slightly less subtle white racing stripes catch the eye with an ‘S’ incorporated into each band. Completing the package, are extra tinted rear windows and tailgate for a truly contemporary look.

The sporty theme continues on the inside, with a bespoke interior including ‘S’ embossed upholstery, leather steering wheel and striking white centre console, dashboard inserts and instrument dials.

The new entrants are based on the Expression specification, currently only available on five-door. They come with a choice of three responsive and frugal engines, 1.2 16V 75, 1.2 TCe 100 and 1.5 dCi 86, all of which meet Renault’s eco2 criteria.

Pricing for the new Clio S versions starts at £11,209 on-the-road for the 1.2 16V 75, rising to £13,458 for the 1.5 dCi 86 A/C. Buyers have a choice of four colours for the latest addition to Renault’s ever-popular supermini range: Glacier White, Pearl Black, Capsicum Red and Extreme Blue.

Source: Autoblog