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April 23, 2009

NEW CLIO THE MOST EFFICIENT HOT HATCH OF ITS CATEGORY

Since 2000, the successive variants of have led to it becoming the most popular of its class, with worldwide sales totalling more than 70,000 . The Renault Sport version of the brand’s best-selling model has been unanimously praised by exacting owners as one of the market’s best hot hatches, and also one of the most fun to drive. The challenge faced by the engineers from Renault Sport Technologies was to build on the existing qualities of Clio Renault Sport and take its inherent strengths and dynamism to a new level. New Clio Renault Sport’s sporty calling is evident both inside and outside the . Its exterior styling includes aerodynamic features which take their inspiration from the world of Formula 1: - a front splitter - front-wing air-extractors and a rear diffuser, two technologies which form a package that is unique on the hot hatch market. The interior is given over to driving enjoyment and can be adapted to suit the owner’s personal tastes thanks to a range of finishes and upholsteries. New Clio Renault Sport features all the ingredients that have long forged the success of Renault Sport models: - available with either the ‘Sport’ or ‘Cup’ chassis, plus an independent steering axis front suspension arrangement which ensures outstanding precision and traction in all conditions, - Brembo callipers and large brake discs deliver powerful, durable stopping power, - a high performance engine: specific output of more than 100hp / litre, with peak power raised to 147.5kW (203hp), plus extra torque at engine speeds of less than 3,000rpm compared with its predecessor. To meet customer demand even more closely, the Clio Renault Sport range takes two distinct lines: - the ‘chic and sporty’ line, for customers looking for a comfortable, well-equipped, status-enhancing car. - and the ‘outright performance’ line, for exacting connoisseurs who are passionate about their driving. This version is 36 kg lighter and boasts the best weight-to-power ratio of its class (6kg / hp). Renault’s latest hot hatch shares its genes with the other members of the New Clio family, and is versatile, safe and extensively-equipped: an integrated Carminat TomTom® satnav system is available either as standard equipment or as an option for €490. The challenge faced by the engineers from Renault Sport Technologies was to build on the existing qualities of Clio Renault Sport and take its inherent strengths and dynamism to a new level.

01 02 OOZING WITH SPORTY CHARACTER THE PRECISE, EFFICIENT, HIGH-PERFORMANCE HOT HATCH 03 TWO DISTINCT VERSIONS, FOR CHIC AND SPORTY APPEAL, OR OUTRIGHT PERFORMANCE the vents are angled to channel airflow along the sides of the car for A range of interior finishes enhanced performance. A choice of three interior trims (Argenté Grey, Yellow and Dark New Clio Renault Sport is also equipped with an air diffuser. This Charcoal) enables customers to select the colour of the seatbelts, aerodynamic feature is only standard equipment on the very highest- dashboard trimming and / or upholstery according to their personal end sporting cars. The diffuser uses the air which passes underneath taste. Bucket seats designed and developed in association with Recaro the car to keep the car glued to the road. This air is channelled by the are also available for New Clio Renault Sport. They are equipped with flat bottom to the diffuser where it accelerates before being expulsed lateral airbags, plus a rigid, glass-fibre / polyamide-injected shell which at a faster speed. Combined with the forms of the diffuser, this provides the sort of all-enveloping experience associated with motor creates a zone of depression under the car which sucks the chassis sport. The slots for the harness belts and integrated headrest add a to the ground. Compared with a conventional wing, diffusers generate further sporty touch, while at the same time serving to hold occupants significant downforce without resisting forward movement. At 130kph, firmly in place. Customers looking for additional chic will be tempted by lift is reduced by almost 40 kg. The diffuser is designed to function in the alternative leather seats. association with the rear flat bottom which leaves space for the exhaust silencer and side-mounted tailpipes.

A sporty interior

New Clio Renault Sport’s sporty calling is mirrored in details such as the aluminium pedal covers and footrest, as well as by the perforated leather steeringwheel with visible stitching and yellow centre-point marker. The specific Renault Sport seats are exceptionally comfortable and ensure a high level of body-hugging lateral support. The yellow rev-counter includes an audible and visible gearshift indicator to help optimize gear changes. The size of the figures displayed on the rev-counter increases as the needle approaches the red zone which is set at 7,500rpm. As with all models developed by Renault Sport Technologies, Renault Sport badging is visible inside the cabin on the rev-counter background, sills 01 and front seats. OOZING WITH SPORTY CHARACTER New Clio Renault Sport’s sporty credentials are visible both inside and outside the car. Its exterior styling includes aerodynamic features which take their inspiration from the world of Formula 1, namely the front splitter, the front- wing air-extractors and the rear air diffuser.

A powerful stance Alien Green metallic paint finish which joins the catalogue’s four other metallic body colours (Monako Blue, Sirius Yellow, Makaha Grey and New ’s original, hallmark looks have been revised and place Platine Grey), alongside pearlescent Deep Black and the non-metallic the accent on more athletic curves. The wings are 30.5mm wider to Dynamo Blue and Toro Red. accommodate the wider front and rear tracks which have been extended by 48 mm and 50 mm respectively. The more aggressive front end incorporates a generously-sized, low-positioned air intake, the mission Aerodynamics derived from Formula 1 technology of which is to feed cooling air to the normally-aspirated 147.5kW 2.0 16V engine (203hp). The sills, extractors and wider front and rear wings New Clio Renault Sport’s aerodynamics include a front splitter, front-wing all highlight the sporty calling of New Clio Renault Sport which features air-extractors and a rear air diffuser, a development which is unique for Renault Sport’s new styling cues in the form of the Renault Sport this segment. Thanks to these features which take their inspiration from Design Pack: a two-tone colour scheme based on a choice of Gloss Formula 1 technology, New Clio Renault Sport’s CdA has been cut by Black or Cold Metal Grey for the front bumper mouldings, exterior mirror 0.02 compared with that of its predecessor to 0.753. housings and diffuser which incorporates the twin exhaust tailpipes. New Clio Renault Sport sits squarely on the road thanks to its wide tyres The more aggressive front end incorporates an F1-type aerodynamic (215 / 45) mounted on 17-inch aluminium alloy rims, through which it is splitter. possible to see the Brembo brake callipers and big brakes responsible for its powerful, durable stopping power. Renault Sport badging is visible The extractors visible on the front wings contribute to the car’s on the tailgate, on the satin-finish chrome inserts of the side protective aerodynamic performance by neutralizing the turbulence produced by mouldings and under the bonnet on the intake manifold. the wider wings and play a part in improving the model’s CdA. They also New Clio Renault Sport sees the introduction of a brand new, exclusive facilitate the extraction of hot air from underneath the bonnet, while an even more extreme ride. A specific power output of more than 100hp / litre The ride height is 7mm lower than that of the Sport chassis and the resulting lower centre of gravity ensures improved cornering New Clio Renault Sport is powered by the latest-specification normally- performance because of reduced weight transfer. Torsional rigidity aspirated 2.0 16V engine (F4R RS). With a specific power output of more has been improved by 10 per cent, too, enabling the potential of the than 100hp / litre, this powerplant delivers an extremely high level of independent steering axis front suspension to be fully exploited. Last performance for the hot hatch segment. In addition to the gains achieved but not least, the Cup chassis comes with closer ratio steering (7.5 at low revs, peak power has been increased by 2.5kW to 147.5kW per cent closer compared with the Sport chassis) which, combined (203hp) at 7,100rpm. Meanwhile, the low-end torque (below 3,000rpm) with other specific development work, favours feedback to the driver in boasted by New Clio Renault Sport has been upped by an impressive 20 conditions of varying grip. per cent over that of its predecessor thanks to a new cylinder head, the Versions equipped with the ‘Cup’ chassis are 36 kg lighter than New use of continuously variable intake valve timing and fine-tuning of the Clio Renault Sport Luxe (‘Sport’ chassis). Indeed, the design of certain engine mapping. The first, second and third gear ratios have all been components (transmission, seat frames, wheels) and the dropping of shortened for punchier acceleration and to facilitate motoring in built- certain items of equipment allows the Cup version to boast the best up areas. This engine drives through a manual six-speed gearbox (TL4) weight-to-power ratio of its class (6 kg / hp). and claims maximum torque of 215Nm at 5,400rpm (compared with 5,500rpm for Clio III Renault Sport). New Clio Renault Sport accelerates from standstill to 100kph in just 6.9 seconds and covers the 1,000 m Independent steering axis front suspension and reinforced standing start in 27.3s. The top speed of 225kph is 10kph higher rear suspension compared with that of the former version. An eloquent illustration of the development work that has gone into this Compared with New Renault Clio, New Clio Renault Sport’s grip and powertrain is the fact that its fuel consumption has been reduced by

cornering ability have been upgraded, with the front and rear tracks 0.7 litres / 100km (equivalent to 14g of CO2 / km) compared with Clio III widened by 48 mm and 50 mm respectively. The wheelbase has been Renault Sport which was launched in June 2006. Combined cycle fuel extended by 10 mm to 2,585 mm for greater stability, while the front consumption consequently stands at a reasonable 8.2 litres / 100km,

suspension’s independent steering axis layout is unique to the B segment. equivalent to 195g of CO2 / km. This technology significantly reduces the phenomenon known as torque steer under acceleration. Unlike a MacPherson-type arrangement, the steering axis of the front suspension is totally independent of the damping function. To minimize weight, New Clio Renault Sport’s independent steering axis front suspension employs aluminium components and guarantees precise handling and outstanding traction whatever the conditions. The rear suspension is based on that of New 02 Renault Clio and features a programmed deflection torsion beam which has been reinforced by 25 per cent to complement the efficiency of the THE PRECISE, EFFICIENT, front’s independent steering axis layout for precise, immediate turn-in response. HIGH-PERFORMANCE HOT HATCH Powerful, durable brakes New Clio Renault Sport benefits from all the ingredients that have helped forge the success of previous Renault Sport models, including the availability of two types of chassis (‘Sport’, and ‘Cup’), a high performance engine and New Clio Renault Sport’s powerful, durable brakes combine with the specific brakes. The combination of the independent steering axis front suspension arrangement and reinforced Continental Sport 3 tyres (215x45) to guarantee stopping distances rear suspension provides rigorous, balanced, sporty handling. The new Renault Sport Technologies-developed identical to those of very high-end sporting models. Pedal travel is 2.0 16V 203hp (147.5kW) engine brings out the very best in New Clio Renault Sport’s potential, while the Brembo progressive and easy to gauge. The 312mm-diameter vented front discs callipers and big brake discs deliver powerful, durable stopping power. are paired with four-pot Brembo callipers, while the 300 mm-diameter rear discs function with single-piston TRW callipers.

The ‘Sport’ chassis: efficiency and comfort response, while their rolling resistance has been reduced by five per cent compared with the tyres which equip Clio III Renault Sport. Certain The development of the Sport chassis was guided by a bid to strike the aluminium alloy wheels are now 1kg lighter and the ensuing gain in best possible balance between performance and comfort when driven terms of inertia further contributes to the new car’s enhanced steering on a day-to-day basis. New Clio Renault Sport marks an improvement in response and crisp acceleration. terms of comfort over its predecessor thanks to: - new damper settings (15 per cent softer), - the use of hydraulic double-effect dampers. The energy which needs The ‘Cup’ chassis: glued to the road to be dissipated is absorbed in part by an additional level of valving The performance of these new dampers is particularly appreciable on New Clio Renault Sport is alternatively available with the Cup chassis which longer journeys and motorway drives. has been engineered to deliver an exacting ride and uncompromising Meanwhile, body movement is kept in check thanks to the bigger driving enjoyment. Its ability to corner flat is enhanced by: diameter of the front anti-roll bar which has been raised from 20 mm - uprated dampers (15 per cent stiffer) compared with New Clio Renault to 21mm. Compared with New Renault Clio, the stiffness of the rear Sport’s predecessor, suspension has been uprated by 25 per cent thanks to the fitment of a - stiffer springs compared with the Sport chassis (plus 27 per cent at the 30mm-diameter anti-roll bar. Specifically-developed Continental Sport front; plus 30 per cent at the rear) for more satisfying performance and Contact 3 tyres (215 / 45 R17) ensure swifter, more precise steering 03 TWO DISTINCT VERSIONS, FOR CHIC AND SPORTY APPEAL, OR OUTRIGHT PERFORMANCE To meet customer demand even more closely, the Clio Renault Sport range takes two distinct lines: - chic, sporty appeal, for customers looking for a comfortable, well-equipped, status-enhancing car which places the accent on driving enjoyment. - or outright performance, for exacting connoisseurs who are passionate about their driving. This new hot hatch shares its genes with the other members of the New Renault Clio family, and is versatile, safe and GENES SHARED WITH THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE NEW extensively-equipped: the integrated Carminat TomTom® satnav system is available either as standard equipment or RENAULT CLIO FAMILY

A long list of safety and travelling comfort equipment has been carried - cruise control with speed limiter, The Clio Renault Sport story continues with customer Customers can choose between chic, sporty appeal (with over from New Renault Clio to New Clio Renault Sport, including: - automatic climate control, demand taken closely into account the ‘Sport’ chassis)… - Carminat TomTom®, the first integrated GPS navigation system. - combined rain / light sensor. Either standard equipment or optional for a price of €490, In day-to-day use, occupants will appreciate the roomy cabin and Since 2000, the successive variants of Clio Renault Sport have led to The chic and sporty version is aimed at customers looking for a - hands-free card, generous boot space, two hallmarks inherited from New Renault Clio. it becoming the best-selling performance hatchback of its class, with comfortable, well-equipped, status-enhancing car which places the accent - 80W RadioSat Classic audio system with six loudspeakers, plus New Clio Renault Sport is built on the same platform and is equipped worldwide sales totalling more than 70,000 cars. The strengths of Clio III on driving enjoyment. This version features the ‘Sport’ chassis which, two functions for customers looking for additional connectivity: with the third-generation Renault System for Restraint and Protection Renault Sport’s chassis, brakes and steering combined with the precision like the car’s acoustic performance, has been upgraded with a view to Plug & Music (to connect an MP3 player or an iPod®) and Bluetooth® (SRP3). Like Clio III, which obtained a five-star EuroNCAP crash test of its gearbox have resulted in the model being widely praised as the most delivering an even higher standard of comfort. Vehicle customization is telephony. rating in 2005, it is engineered to provide uncompromising protection efficient of its class, by the media and exacting owners alike. To match particularly popular with buyers of this type of vehicle and Renault Sport - opening sunroof, for all occupants. the demands and needs of its customers even more closely still, the Clio has produced a range of options and equipment that enable owners to Renault Sport range is today based on two distinct approaches: match their Clio Renault to their individual taste.

- the chic and sporty versions, - or the ‘Cup’ version which place the emphasis on outright performance. …or a version engineered for outright performance (with the ‘Cup’ chassis)

The Cup version will especially appeal to exacting connoisseurs who are passionate about their driving. Equipped with the ‘Cup’ chassis, it is 36 kg lighter than its chic, sporty ‘sister’ version and delivers a particularly efficient, satisfying ride. New Clio Renault Sport features all the ingredients that have long forged the success of Renault Sport models.

High-resolution photos of New Clio Renault Sport can be downloaded from www.media.renault.com > Media Library > Passenger Cars > New Clio Renault Sport

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