Summarize

RenaultSport’s Clio has always been the perfect tool for a little inspired driving without breaking the bank. Comfortable and a pleasant place to drive that long distance, fuel consumption is good and come the track day, RS really shows its strong suit.

The perfect spanner to twist that nut in the 911 or Gallardo, this little car does its utmost to make you think you’re Carlos Sainz. And now Renault Sport has even painted Clio yellow and black and called this swansong F1 – in salute of the race team.

RS also makes no bones about the fact that this RS 18 celebrates its 40-year F1 legacy through this specially-prepared Clio RS 220 EDC Trophy. They even say that RS 18 F1 brings redefined levels of race technology, superlative performance and unique F1-inspired RS styling and they say that the newcomer’s design underscores a Formula 1 feel to offer race fans the perfect car...

What RS 18 F1 definitely shares with this year’s Renault F1 race car, is its name and black and yellow war colours. Add Renault Sport decals on the doors and roof, blacked-out badging and rear diffuser; yellow trim and a numbered badge. 

RS 18 F1 is powered by the regular 162kW 280Nm turbo 1.6-litre 4-pot driving the front wheels through an EDC 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox with Launch Control, but this one is somehow three-tenths of a second quicker than the two or three previous incarnations we put to the test.

Pretty handy considering that keeps it in touch with the likes of Polo GTI and the other car on this page. It’s well-equipped too – it always has been with that RS Monitor, all the electronics and the rest. We need to wait and see what the next one brings, but for now, this classic flies the flag – and pretty well too. 

QUICK TEST: RenaultSport Clio 18 F1

Engine:          162kW 280Nm 1618cc turbo petrol I4

Drive: 6-speed DC automatic FWD

TESTED: 

0-100km/h: 6.38 sec   

0-160km/h: 14.67 sec

400m: 14.4sec @ 159km/h

80-120km/h: 4.03 sec

120-160km/h: 6.12 sec       

CLAIMED:       

VMax: 235km/h 

Fuel: 5.9 l/100km

CO2: 135g/km

Warranty/Service 5y 150K/3y 30Kkm

LIST PRICE: R459K

RATED:     83%