Mid-Engined Renault Clio V6 Detailed in Harry Metcalfe Review

The former editor of Evo is a big fan of his Clio 182 Trophy and spend an extensive amount of time with the Clio V6 as well. However, that was in the era before YouTube. This machine is quite famous, as not many carmakers tried to put an engine in the back of a small hatchback.

Renault currently produces the Twingo and Alpine A110 in this configuration, and of course, it all started with the 5 Turbo. But it got a few things wrong with the Clio V6. Due to its short wheelbase, it had a tendency to swap ends and end up in horrible crashes.

This blue 2004 model is what's called a Phase 2 Clio V6, of which only about 1,300 were made at the same factory currently responsible for the A110. The 3-liter engine was also made to be more free-revving, thus increasing maximum power to 255HP.

Parked next to the "normal" 182 Trophy, the differences are immediately visible. The V6 features custom fenders from composite materials which are much wider and match the oversized sports car wheels. The suspension is obviously custom, this being RWD now, but also much lower.

Other quirks include a drainage hole for the Clio's front trunk and hidden door handles. These exotic features clash with the normal dashboard. And you'd think it would drive like a savage race car, but it's actually like relaxing with lots of low-end bangs.

Offering a 0 to 100 km/h time of 5.9 seconds and a top speed of 153 mph (246 km/h), the Clio V6 has described by some at the time as a plastic Porsche. However, we now know it's very collectible and rare, the kind of car that belongs in a collection.