The Clio Renault Sport F1 Team R27 will be the star of the Renault stand at this years’ Melbourne International Motor Show.
Following the benchmark of the Clio Renault Sport 197, the launch of the Clio Renault Sport F1 Team R27 promises to take the performance game to a whole new level.
Built at the Renault Sport factory in Dieppe, the Limited Edition Clio Renault Sport R27 is inspired by the FIA World Championship winning-Renault F1 Team, and shares part of its name with the championship winning Grand Prix chassis, the R27.
Continuing Renault’s rich heritage for producing grin-inducing hot hatches, the Clio Renault Sport 197 F1 Team R27 features ‘Cup Chassis’ suspension settings, plus signature 17” charcoal coloured alloy wheels, red brake calipers, Recaro front seats and exclusive Renault F1 Team decals. Only 40 R27’s will be imported into Australia.
The ‘Cup Chassis’ suspension settings on the R27 include a number of enhancements for both track and road driving.
The ride height has been lowered by 7mm compared to the standard Clio Renault Sport 197 to ensure a lower centre of gravity and reduced load transfer for more effective cornering.
Its cornering ability has been improved even further by the springs which have been stiffened by 27 percent at the front and 30 percent at the rear, giving reduced body roll and pitch when cornering.
With a 10 percent increase in bending stiffness and more flexible bump-stops, the double-axis strut suspension system is also more stable when braking and offers greater steering precision when negotiating bends in quick succession.
The R27 is equipped with the standard Clio Renault Sport 197′s robust, powerful Brembo brake system, using 312mm ventilated discs at the front and 300mm solid discs at the rear.
Powered by a normally-aspirated 2.0-litre DOHC 16-valve engine and mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, the R27 offers a wide power band with maximum power of 145kW available at 7,250rpm, with 215Nm of torque at 5,550 rpm.
The Clio Renault Sport 197 F1 Team R27 has standard decals on the front, rear, roof and door to celebrate Renault F1 Team’s Championship victories in 2005 and 2006.
In keeping with its motorsport lineage, the R27 also features red Brembo four-piston brake calipers at the front, Victory Yellow paint (which originally appeared on the Megane F1 Team 225 R26) and exclusive Renault F1 Team badging. Recaro front seats are also standard.
Derived from the world of Formula One, it also boasts a rear air diffuser which channels airflow to increase downforce on the car’s rear end, so counteracting lift. Meanwhile, on the side of the car, extractor vents on the front wings reduce turbulence to optimise the car’s drag co-efficient and facilitate the outflow of under bonnet heat.
The Clio Renault Sport 197 F1 Team R27 offers the same comprehensive standard equipment list as the Clio Renault Sport 197, but in addition to climate-control air conditioning, cruise control (with speed-limiter) and ESP, the Limited Edition adds Cup Chassis signature 17” charcoal coloured alloy wheels, red painted brake calipers, Renault Sport Recaro Seats, a numbered plaque and F1 Team decals.
Recaro front seats feature as standard, offering harness cut-outs for a sporty look as well as a weight saving of six kilograms.
The numbered plate alongside the handbrake leaves no doubt as to the unique sporting heritage of the Clio Renault Sport F1 Team R27.
Clio Renault Sport 197 F1 Team R27 is available from just $39,990.00 with Victory Yellow paint is the only option at an additional $1,000.
The R27 will be available in three colours, Toro Red, Glacier White and Victory Yellow.
Source: Renault Press Release
