Renault Clio RS Monaco GP part of limited tradition

RENAULT'S Clio is set to overtake its bigger Megane hot-hatch sibling as the top-selling Renault Sport performance variant in Australia, and it is set to get a boost with the arrival of the Clio RS Monaco GP limited edition, launched last week.

Australia is already the second-biggest market in the world for Renault Sport vehicles and the French car-maker said its latest limited edition would help cement that position.

France holds the number-one title of course, and while Renault Australia managing director Justin Hocevar said it’s unlikely we will bump them from the top spot, the figures demonstrate Australian's love of high performance cars.

“In Australia, Renault Sport has grown immensely in popularity in recent years and now represent 11 per cent of Renault Australia’s total sales,” he said.

“This growth has been spurred along by the current generation Megane RS in late 2010 and Clio RS in late 2013.

“The recent success of Renault Sport in Australia has not only set new records for us here, but Australia is now the second-highest selling country for RS in the world in 2014.”

Mr Hocevar said Clio RS is on the brink of outselling its bigger sibling the Megane RS in Australia, with the light-hatch “just ahead” of its stablemate in 2014 year-to-date sales.

“I think we will certainly see Clio RS sales surpass Megane RS sales. It appeals to a much broader part of the market,” he said.

Sales to the end of October this year have the Clio RS on 549 sales while the Megane RS is on 398.

The Clio RS Monaco GP is the latest in what Mr Hocevar calls a “tradition” of Renault Sport limited editions, which he said reanimate the range and bring a halo to the brand.

“Renault Sport is known for constantly invigorating the brand with desirable limited editions and the Clio RS Monaco GP is a fitting addition to the range,” he said.

At $38,390 plus on road costs, the Monaco GP sits at the top of the Clio RS 200 line-up which kicks off at $29,290 for the Sport and heads north to the Cup Premium for $37,290.

With a name that’s a nod to Renault’s motor sport history, just 55 Monaco GP editions are available in Australia – 21 of which have been sold since it went on sale in September.

Based on the Cup Premium variant, the Monaco GP shares the same 147kW/240Nm four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine matched with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and sports-tuned chassis.

Standard features are also the same and include 18-inch alloy wheels, seven-inch display screen with R-Link media system and navigation, RS Monitor 2.0 and heated front seats.

The extra $1000 asked by the Monaco GP brings the exclusive Pearl White body colour and contrasting Diamond Black roof, with gloss black finishes to the front blade, rear diffuser, side strips, door handles, mirrors and rear spoiler.

There’s also Monaco GP badges on the rear doors and numbered scuff plates.

The cabin gets Riviera Carbon leather upholstery with grey stitching and dark Metal finishes to the steering wheel, gear lever knob and speaker surrounds, while seatbelts straps are finished in Technique Grey.

The Monaco GP is offered with Renault’s five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty.