Renault Sport Technologies has released the photos and information about the Clio Renaultsport R3T rally car that will launch in 2014. The new turbo-engined model was on show at the Rallye du Var this past weekend, the last round of the Renaultsport Rally Trophy season.
The R3T is a successor to the Clio Renaultsport R3 launched in 2006, built to comply with FIA R3 regulations that include cars with performance comparable to Super 1600 cars at half the price. Renault Sport Technologies sold 373 kits of the Clio Renaultsport R3, which was based on the previous Clio generation.
Now with a new Clio model on the street, Renault is developing a new R3 car, which will be called Clio Renaultsport R3T because of the turbo engine. Just like the Clio Cup racer, the Clio R3T is based on the road-going Clio Renaultsport 200 Turbo EDC, featuring the 1.6-liter turbocharged unit adapted to racing by Renault Sport’s engineers.
The kit also includes a six-speed sequential gearbox with optional steering-wheel paddle shifts in the asphalt version. The R3T features specialized equipment from suppliers such as Sadev for gearboxes, Sachs for shock absorbers, PFC for brakes and Cosworth for electronics.
“With the Clio Renaultsport R3T, our aim has been to come up with a high-performance, reliable vehicle adaptable to every type of surface, all for an operating cost below that of the product it replaces,” said Renault Sport Technologies Motorsports Director Arnaud Boulanger. He added that initial tests have been promising and the car will now start the development phase.
“Put through its paces by several drivers, the Clio Renaultsport R3T will be tested for more than ten weeks on dirt and tarmac with a view to identifying the best options,” Boulanger said. The car is expected to receive approval in the second half of 2014.
By Dan Mihalascu
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