X65 Clio Series II

Renault targeted the Peugeot 206 and VW Polo with its fuller and facelifted Clio II facelift, launched in December 2001.

The 2.0-litre three-door ‘hot’ hatchback Clio Sport was joined by four five-doors, three powered by a 1.4-litre four-cylinder including the only automatic transmission variants, and one powered by a 1.6-litre four.

Kicking off the Clio range was the 1.4 Expression manual, then the 1.4 Expression auto, followed by the 1.6 Privilege manual and the 1.4 Privilege auto, with the Clio Cup – now known as the Clio Renaultsport – topping the range.

Expressions are well equipped, with standard front and side airbags, ABS with brake force distribution, air-conditioning, remote central locking, power front windows and steering column mounted audio controls.

The Privilege adds a trip computer, climate-controlled air-conditioning, 15-inch alloy wheels, a rear storage bin and the Expression's cassette player is replaced with a single in-dash CD audio system.

The Renaultsport goes another step or two, including Alcantara and leather upholstery, six-stack CD player, xenon headlights with washers and rain-sensing front wipers.

Underneath lies a conventional small front-wheel drive hatchback.

The transversely mounted 1.4-litre engine produces 72kW at 6000rpm and 127Nm at 3750rpm, the 1.6 79kW at 6000rpm and 148Nm at 3750rpm and the Renaultsport 124kW at 6250rpm and 200Nm at 5400rpm.

Suspension is via MacPherson struts and lower wishbones up front and a H-style rear axle, although the three-door has different geometry and damper settings to reflect its sporting intent.

The Renaultsport's brake performance is also boosted, gaining discs all-round compared to the disc/drum combination on the five-doors.

Renault released a 79kW 1.6-litre three-door hatchback called the Dynamique from late ’03, followed on in September ’04 by a round of minor trim changes that saw the Expression models replaced by the Authentique.

At the same time the Renaultsport gained an extra few kilowatts to offer 131kW of power, and was renamed Sport Cup 182 (for 182 BHP). A special Gordini Blue with white stripes model was also introduced.