INTERNATIONAL DEBUT: Renault Clio R.S.16 Concept
By: Jason Woosey
What was that which Lotus founder Colin Chapman said about adding lightness?
It might be coming back to haunt him now that Renault has bought back the F1 team that until recently carried the Lotus name, and is now celebrating its return to the sport with this potent new concept car called the Clio R.S.16.
Essentially the Renault Sport division has taken its most potent engine, the 202kW/360Nm 2-litre turbopetrol engine fitted to the Megane RS Trophy, and ‘added lightness’ by shoe-horning it into the smaller and, er... lighter Clio body.
The result, assuming that the drivetrain can transmit this urge to the wheels cleanly enough, is what the RS division claims to be its highest-performing car ever.
Technically it's just a concept though, you may mumble with a depressing sigh, but mutterings around the internet suggest that Renault bosses would really like to put this little beast into production but they still need to do some sums and work out if they can produce it at a reasonable price.
The R.S.16 certainly enjoyed a spectacular debut, making its grand entrance on the streets of Monaco, ahead of this weekend's F1 Grand Prix, with Kevin Magnussen at the wheel.
Creating the concept took just five months and the performance gurus at Renault Sport had to overcome some challenges, like finding the ideal way to fit the engine, transmission and cooling system into the Clio's smaller dimensions. Naturally, the suspension was given a good makeover too, with grip also enhanced by 19-inch alloys.
Finally, to ensure the most appealing sound-track, the division selected an Akrapovi? twin exhaust system.
Now just get cracking with the production version, please.