The Renault Sport Clio Has Been Given A Bunch Of Updates, But Not The One Thing It Needs

Renault has given its hot Clio a makeover, but it still hasn't been given the stick shifter we so crave...
The Renault Sport Clio Has Been Given A Bunch Of Updates, But Not The One Thing It Needs

It’s facelift time for the Renault Sport Clio, which can only mean one thing: we can play a little game of spot the difference! Firstly, we’re taking a look at the front, where you’ll notice the snazzier lights in the slightly reshaped lower grille selection.

It’s Renault’s new “multi-faceted LED lighting” setup, which it calls RS Vision. No complaints from us here: they look smart, and are far nicer to look at than the daytime running lights on the pre-facelift car, which had a whiff of ‘afterthought’ about them. The headlight clusters have also been slightly re-designed, and you get the option of a set of new 18-inch alloy wheels.

The Renault Sport Clio Has Been Given A Bunch Of Updates, But Not The One Thing It Needs

At the rear, we’re looking at a repositioning of the badges, and, erm, that’s about it. That’s the facelift itself dealt with, so what else is new?

Other than a new optional Akrapovič exhaust, the mechanical aspects of the RS Clio haven’t changed. You still get a choice of three different chassis - Sport, Cup and Trophy - and it’s still putting out 197bhp from a 1.6-litre inline-four, or 217bhp if you get the ‘220’ Trophy. And yes, that means you still only get the option of Renault’s clunky, fun-sapping six-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

The Renault Sport Clio Has Been Given A Bunch Of Updates, But Not The One Thing It Needs

With the refreshed Clio RS missing the one thing we want - a manual gearbox - we’ll just have to hold out hope that the amazing Megane-engined RS16 concept ends up spawning a production version.

Still want a regular Clio RS despite the DCT? The facelifted version will go on sale in the UK this September.

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Comments

HONDA LIFE

I like the old one better

07/05/2016 - 13:18 |
90 | 4

The new one looks a bit fatter. The old one is a tad sleeker.

07/05/2016 - 13:26 |
8 | 4

Just saw one on the road, the old one looks amazing.

07/06/2016 - 05:45 |
0 | 0
Subhan Zafar

Same.. but different.. But still the same!

07/05/2016 - 13:29 |
16 | 2
Anonymous

the only thing it needs is a better pricetag! gaddamnit my pockets arent that big

07/05/2016 - 13:43 |
2 | 0
Anonymous

Took delivery of my new (pre-facelift) trophy just under a month ago and i dont mind missing out on the face lift now i know not much has changed.

The LED lights woild be nice but considering i speced mine witg every extra i could i can live with a slightly more dated car but getting it a year early….

07/05/2016 - 14:08 |
46 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

See if you can make a deal with your local dealership next time you service it to see if you can buy the facelift parts you want

07/05/2016 - 15:38 |
2 | 0
essequattro

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

That’s so pretty :O

07/05/2016 - 15:40 |
2 | 0
CatchMyDrift

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Your car looks amazing man, cheers !

07/05/2016 - 20:39 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

You, Sir, have a very pretty car!

I just ordered the Facelift 220 Version in white though :D

07/06/2016 - 07:09 |
2 | 0
Jurgen Qatipi

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Which one do you like better? The Renault or the Seat?

07/06/2016 - 11:27 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

I like the old one more, I don’t like the new nose. But the day time running lights look nice. Only if Renault bring back the manual and the little monsters they used to make. Like the 5 gt turbo and the clio 2 v6, or the normal clio 2 rs for that matter.
And it is stupid that the clio is not available in 3 doors, and the megane is.

07/05/2016 - 14:24 |
0 | 0
Jakob

Not a fan of the head- and taillights and 18” wheels seem a tad too large for a car like this, but these RenaultSport-ish fog lights look amazing. Akrapovic exhaust is always yummy. I really like the facelift. Too bad there’s no manual transmission avialable.

07/05/2016 - 14:49 |
0 | 0
Skyphox

The only update I think it needed was the Renault badge to be removed

07/05/2016 - 15:33 |
0 | 14
Thats not an Evo

Matt why are you calling it a stick shifter? You’re not American

07/05/2016 - 18:08 |
0 | 0
The Renault Sport Clio Has Been Given A Bunch Of Updates, But Not The One Thing It Needs
Pedro Viana

I prefer the old bumper/bumper-lights 😓

07/05/2016 - 21:51 |
0 | 0
RodriguezRacer456 (Aventador SV) (Lambo Squad)

I live in the US so i can lose all hope of getting one of these…..

07/05/2016 - 23:55 |
0 | 0

the Ford hatches are all we need

07/06/2016 - 01:19 |
2 | 0