Champion of the twisties
CLIO RS TROPHY 220: LINKING RENAULT’S STREET CARS WITH FORMULA ONE
This pocket rocket is one of the best handling and most rewarding hot hatches.
Renault Sport is renowned for providing thrilling experiences that enable people to live their passion to the fullest. Thanks to a successful motorsport history and a drive for new challenges, Renault creates world class race cars; and this self-same race car technology is applied to create versatile and exciting sports cars. Renault’s incredible Renault Sport Models proudly embody the bridge between Renault and Formula 1.
The Renault Sport Clio is such an offering, with its proven track record as one of the best handling compact hot hatches on the market. And new for 2017 we have the Clio RS Trophy 220 on test here.
The Trophy 220 is visually broader by virtue of a specific bumper, and is complemented by LED multifaceted lighting. The new Renault signature C-shaped Pure Vision LED lights are prominent on the front of the vehicle, flanked by the innovative RS Vision chequered flag-shaped lighting within the front bumper.
Other distinct RS design features include RS badging below the larger Renault logo on the front and on the boot lid, new Gloss Black 18-inch RS alloy wheels, specific RS side sills, a spoiler at the rear and a bold RS diffuser with a twin Akrapovic exhaust tail pipe.
Inside the specific Renault Sport touches continue with red detail around the air vents, and red stitching on the gear lever, handbrake and steering wheel. The RS driving experience is further enhanced through the heated Renault Sport bucket seats.
The Trophy 220 gets the uncompromising Trophy chassis that is 20mm lower in the front and 10mm lower in the back over the RS LUX model. And this means a firm but very rewarding ride if you like to go fast through corners.
You also get a full 220Hp, or 162kW, in SA speak, of power running down to the front wheels via a six speed EDC dual-clutch automatic transmission with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifts. You have a launch control system, and making use of this function saw the Trophy 220 get to 100km/h in 6.78 seconds, the quarter mile in 14.89 seconds, the 800m and 1km at 188km/h and 198km/h respectively.
For more information and latest pricing visit
Top speed comes in at 236km/h.
Through RS Drive, you can adjust the road handling behaviour of the Clio by switching driving modes from the three available (Normal, Sport and Race). The RS Monitor offers an intuitive interface for the car’s settings, and via this embedded telemetry system, you are able to record and reply your time in the Clio.
Safety, of course, is of the highest level with a five-star NCAP rating that sees ABS + EBD combined with emergency brake assist (EBA), a new generation ESC (Electronic Stability Control) and ASR (Anti-Slip Regulation) active traction control.
The Renault Clio RS Trophy 220 goes for R419 900 and comes standard with a five-year/150 000km mechanical warranty and a three-year/30 000km service plan. So if you want a compact hot hatch that wants to brawl and win at the track and in the twisties, this is the car for you. But if you are a street kinda warrior, then the about-to-be-replaced VW Polo GTI and Fiesta ST, which are priced somewhat better, is probably the better bet for you.