Filed under:
Performance,
Hatchback,
Renault,
Rumormill
As soon as the Williams
Formula 1 team inked an engine supply deal with Renault in 2011,
auto journos salivated at the thought of a new
Renault Clio Williams. (This was after the return of
Gordini, during the rumors of the return of
Alpine, before the rumors of the
Initiale brand, and long before the new
Clio was introduced.) The original Clio Williams arrived in 1993 to celebrate Nigel Mansell's 1992 F1 World Championship in his Williams-Renault. In fact, Williams had nothing to do with the hatchback other than donating its name, but the public couldn't get enough of its performance. There were only supposed to be 3,800, but Renault eventually produced 12,100 Clio Williams' in three series.
Renault hasn't publicly said a word about the possibility of a new version of that legendary hot hatch, but
Autocar says "well placed sources" have assured it that a new Clio Williams is on the way. A raunchier take on the
Clio RenaultSport 200, the Williams edition is rumored to get 220 horsepower from its 1.6-liter four-cylinder, a bump of 20 hp over the RS 200.
Autocar goes on to say that the Clio Williams is around 18 months away, slated to arrive after the RS 200 completes its run. It's unclear whether Williams will assist with its development - the RenaultSport division created the original on its own - but Autocar suggests that Williams' forays into customer-car applications might give it a way in. An announcement from Renault could come as early as this year.
Europe's legendary Renault Clio Williams poised for 2014 return originally appeared on
Autoblog on Sun, 14 Oct 2012 14:05:00 EST. Please see our
terms for use of feeds.
Permalink |
Email this |
Comments
More...
Report: Europe's legendary Renault Clio Williams poised for 2014 return
