The Renault Clio RS 220 might not be in the same class as the big boys like the Megane RS 275 Trophy-R or the new Honda Civic Type-R. But competing against cars like the Audi S1, Opel Corsa OPC and the Mini Cooper JWC, the Clio RS 220 can really give out a good challenge.
And to prove how fast this little hatchback can really go, the editor from Sport Auto, Christian Gebhardt took the Clio RS 220 and went for a spin around the Nurburgring. Keeping it neat and tidy, he managed to lap the ‘Ring at just 8 minutes and 32 seconds, giving the Clio RS 220 a 3-second lead from the Mini Cooper JWC and a further 8-second from the Opel Corsa OPC.
And what is more impressive is that the time clocked by the Clio RS 220 is 36 seconds faster than the ‘regular’ Clio RS 220 EDC and just 38 seconds behind the Megane Trophy-R which is currently holds the record as the fastest production front wheel drive car to go around the Nurburgring, that is until the new Civic Type-R emerges.
The Clio RS 220 is powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that pushes out an unsurprising amount of 220-horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque. Fitted with an overboost function, it can temporarily raise the torque figure to 207 lb-ft.
