Renault Clio S launched

The new Renault Clio S

Renault has launched an affordable ‘Sport’ Clio – the Renault Clio S – with white graphics and a choice of 1.2 16V 75, 1.2 TCe 100 and 1.5 dCi 86 engines.

The last ‘Sporty’ Renault Clio we reported on was the Clio RenaultSport 200 back in April last year. The RenaultSport Clio offers proper hot-hatch performance but isn’t exactly cheap. Plus the real demographic for the little Renault wouldn’t have a prayer of either affording the Clio RenaultSport or managing to insure it.

So Renault have done the sensible thing and resurrected the Renault Clio S to give a Clio with sporty pretensions but which is affordable to both buy and insure.

The Renault Clio S comes a a three door and features such ‘S’ goodies as Polar White alloys, a white front bumper and some less than subtle white graphics on the doors and roof. Throw in a white spoiler at the back and some heavier tints on the glass and you’ve completed the Clio S look.

The interior gets a similar treatment with an ‘S’ badge or three, a white centre console, white dials and white inserts on the dashboard. Oh, and don’t forget the leather steering wheel.

Based on the Expression spec, the Clio S comes with a choice of relatively tame engines – 1.2 16V 75, 1.2 TCe 100 and 1.5 dCi 86 – which although not getting close to the performance of the Clio RenaultSport will at least row the S along without too much trouble. And they’ll cost you next to nothing to insure and run.

Prices start at £11,209 for the 1.2 16V 75 and go up to £13,458 for the 1.5 dCi 86 A/C. You get a choice of four colours on the Clio S – Glacier White, Pearl Black, Capsicum Red and Extreme Blue.

Which rather begs the question – especially as Renault are making big play of the ‘White Graphic’ theme – what does the Clio S look like in white?