Renault's French Dealers Offering 45 Percent Discounts on Clio to Offset Plummeting Sales

The Renault brand�s sales are down 35 percent since May 1 in France and this has forced local dealers to offer hefty discounts to customers on certain models, a French radio station reported. According to the BFM radio station quoted by Reuters, dealers are offering discounts as high as 45 percent on some versions of the Clio supermini. For instance, certain dealers are selling the Clio for �7,990 ($11,400), even though the factory sticker is �14,100 ($20,120).

Top Gear Spotted in Italy with Three Hot Hatches

If there is one television crew that is almost impossible to go by unnoticed (at least by the male population) anywhere they go in the world, it is the hosts of BBC�s widely popular Top Gear program. This time, Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond were spotted in the medieval town of Lucca in Tuscany, central Italy.

Facelifted Renaultsport Clio 200 & Clio 200 Cup

Along with the rest of the Clio range, Renault also launched the revised the RS (Renaultsport) model in Geneva. Highlights include a more powerful 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine that now delivers 200-horsepower, chassis modifications and of course, the cosmetic upgrades.

Like the rest of the range, the hot Clio gets a new fascia featuring Renaultsport's new styling identity cues such as the blacked out centre section of the front bumper, front splitter, and a subtly restyled rear end with new tail lights and a different rear diffuser.

The Clio Renaultsport 200 is powered by an upgraded version of the outgoing model's normally-aspirated 2.0 16V engine. Peak power has been increased by 3hp to 200HP at 7,100rpm and now produces its maximum torque of 215Nm at 5,400rpm (compared with 5,500rpm for Clio Renaultsport 197). The first, second and third gear ratios have all been shortened for punchier acceleration. The new Clio Renaultsport 200 accelerates from standstill to 100km/h or 62 mph in 6.9 seconds while top speed increases by 2mph to 141mph (227km/h).

Another benefit of powertrain upgrades is the fact that its fuel consumption and CO2 emissions have been slightly reduced to 34.5mpg UK in the combined cycle and 195g/km.

Renaultsport engineers also widened the front and rear tracks by 48mm and 50mm respectively while the wheelbase is extended by 10mm to 2,585mm for greater stability. Furthermore, the rear suspension features a stiffened programmed deflection torsion beam.

The new Clio Renaultsport is available in two guises, the basic 200 and the more hardcore 200 Cup which has a stiffer chassis and is 36kg lighter than the standard version.