Renault has announced the launch of a special version of the Clio RS, called Ange & Démon (French for Angel & Demon). The main feature of this new release is the adoption of matte paint, which has never been used with this model before. There will be two color options: Matt Hologramme Grey e Matt Toro Red, the latter of which will be made available at a later time. Alongside these options, a regular Givre Nacré paintjob will also be on offer .

The Ange & Démon also features a number of glossy black details (roof, spoiler, diffuser, door handles, wing mirrors) as well as dark-tinted rear side and tailgate windows that contribute to set it apart from all other Clio models. Shiny black 18″ Interlagos alloy wheels and red-painted Brembo calipers also add up to its characteristic look. The Clio RS Ange & Démon uses Bridgestone RE50A tyres, of the kind that allowed Renault Mégane RS Trophy to set the record lap time for production FWD cars at the Nurburgring.

Also the interior of this Renault Sport limited edition boasts several exclusive features such as Recaro’s leather upholstered bucket seats and a metal gear lever knob. Other notable features are Bluetooth audio system, automatic climate control and electrically controlled rearview mirrors. Only 666 units of this limited edition Clio will be put up for sale.

View the full Renault Clio RS Ange & Demon photo gallery

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Parked in what looks to be an exhibition space for Renault design is possibly our first glimpse of the new Renault Clio Concept (its unofficial name). The image comes from the Autoscoops website and shows the Renault Frendzy ZE Concept, the R-Space and the Captur models, and a new model at the far end in the form of a small red hatchback.

If this does prove to be a new Clio, the model is looking sportier than normal (or is it just the colour?) and our only doubt is on the headlights - even so far away they look pretty large compared to the bonnet. Previous rumours on the model suggest we’ll get an entry level one-litre TCe engine with 85 hp, followed by the 1.2 TCe with 105 hp and the 1.4 TCe with 136 hp.

A new Renault Clio Gordini version will have the Nissan Juke’s 1.6-litre petrol unit with 190 hp while the Clio RS should have more than 200 hp. Four diesel engine options will be on offer. The 1.5 dCi will come in three powersteps of 75, 90 and 105 hp, and the 1.6 dCi has 130 hp. New three-cylinder engines are expected to be unveiled in 2014. The Renault Clio Concept will be at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show this month.

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Renault has developed two Silverstone GP limited edition models using the Twingo RS and Clio RS models. The two models have been created to honour the Silvertsone track and will use Cup suspension set-up, metallic grey tint with black detailing, a new exhaust system and Silverstone GP logos.

Each of the Twingo RS and Clio RS Silverstone GP models will be labelled from one to 50, and new Recaro sports seats, Bluetooth connectivity and multimedia functions complete the package. Anyone buying the limited edition Silverstone GP Renault Clio RS and Twingo RS models will get a free driving course on the Silverstone track. The models are available on the UK market only and are sold at £14,995 for the Twingo and £19,995 for the Clio.

Renault Clio RS and Twingo RS Silverstone GP limited edition

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The Renault Clio RS models could abandon their traditional aspirated engine technology to adopt a new turbocompressed engine line-up. The next generation Clio RS is expected to appear in 2012 after the fourth generation Clio will probably turn up later this year. A new, high-performance turbo engine is expected to debut, and it could be the two-litre TCE with 180 and 250 hp offered on the Renault Megane and Megan RS models.

That seems like a pretty powerful option for the small car, and we could get a smaller 1.6 or 1.8-litre engine instead, which would also be in line with the competition. It would mark a downsizing, though, as the current Renault Clio RS has a two-litre aspirated unit with 203 hp and 215 Nm of torque.

Moving to a turbo-powered option should reduce CO2 emissions, which seems to us the motive behind such a choice. Still, the Renault Clio RS is known as one of the best compact sports hatches around and keeping the badge high performance will be important to maintaining that image.

Source | Autoweek.nl

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It might seem a bit tough to challenge the Renault Clio RS Cup with the Ford Focus RS500 given the difference in performance specs of these two cars. The Clio has a 2.0-litre 16V engine with 203 hp and 215 Nm of torque, while the Focus’ 2.5 Turbo has 350 hp and 460 Nm of torque. Top speeds are also different with 265 km/hr against the 224 of the Clio, and the Focus RS500 is faster in the sprint to 100 km/hr at 5.6 seconds (compared to the Clio RS Cup’s 6.9 seconds).

You might be wondering at this stage what the whole point of pitching these cars against each is then, but Autocar says it wanted to find out whether Ford’s price premium of 35,000 pounds, which could buy nearly two of the Renaults, is justified. The test itself says the “poor Clio” can’t hope to keep up with the Focus RS500 in a straight line, which even sounds better than the French car.

Before you think this is just an excuse to take out two cars which sort of look like each other but can’t compete on an even playing field, the Renault Clio RS Cup does have its good points, only one of which is the price. Check out the video to see how they compare both on the road and the track. And whether the 35,000 pounds for the Ford is worth it.

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Who wouldn’t want to buy a Renault Clio RS after this funny car commercial? Whether it’s Renault or not, if we have to sit through ads on television, they may as well be interesting to watch. The Clio RS is a solid offering for a small, zippy compact and if you’re young enough to sing along to the Cranberries in your vehicle and generally make a fool of yourself at traffic lights while not caring, this could be the car for you. If it’s not, at least the advertising campaign is.

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I love these English programs - you get two guys fanging around a track mouthing each other off about who’s going to win with what car. It sounds like a whole lot of fun to me.

In this older episode of Fifth Gear, the guys get out the Mini Cooper S and Renault Clio for an agility test and then the speed drive. With the usual hilarity about “how big is your garage”, the Clio comes off better in the agility test.

And suprisingly it also is a whole second faster in the speed test too. Being a whole lot cheaper, if you’re about your car’s performance and not it’s look, you know what you’ll buy. Enjoy the video.

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