Renault Clio RS: which version to buy
If you are choosing a Renault Clio RS from the versions in this catalogue, the decision is not “Clio RS or not” — it is which 2.0 MT or which 1.6 EDC, and in which generation. The catalogue lists six production blocks, all FWD, all gasoline, all Mini hatchbacks. The lightest, least powerful cars are the second-generation 2.0 MT cars (169 hp and 180 hp, kerb 1035 kg).
Renault Clio RS: which version to buy
If you are choosing a Renault Clio RS from the versions in this catalogue, the decision is not “Clio RS or not” — it is which 2.0 MT or which 1.6 EDC, and in which generation. The catalogue lists six production blocks, all FWD, all gasoline, all Mini hatchbacks. The lightest, least powerful cars are the second-generation 2.0 MT cars (169 hp and 180 hp, kerb 1035 kg). The most powerful car is the fourth-generation restyling 1.6 EDC at 220 hp. The naturally aspirated 1998 cm³ 2.0 MT line ends with the third generation; from 2013 the RS is a turbo 1618 cm³ 1.6 EDC with a 6-speed robotic gearbox and a five-door body.
This page does not list Renault Clio RS V6, RS Trophy, RS 172, RS 197, RS Line, a 2019-only trim, or a 2026 model: those names appear in search, but they are not versions in this dataset. Price and “for sale” listings are not measured here either. What follows is which of the named versions actually differs on horsepower, torque, weight, economy, and body.
Renault Clio RS generations compared (what actually changed)
Treat restyling as part of the same generation. On that reading there are three generations in the data, not six.
2 generation (2000–2005), Mini 3-doors. Production starts 2000-01-01 and the restyling window is 2001-01-01 to 2005-12-31. Three 2.0 MT rows sit here. The pre-restyling 2.0 MT (169 hp / 124 kW at 6250 rpm, 200 Nm at 5400 rpm) is the only version of 2000–2001. After restyling, the same 2.0 MT 169 hp continues, and a second 2.0 MT appears at 180 hp / 132 kW at 6500 rpm, 200 Nm at 5250 rpm. Both restyling cars share 1035 kg kerb, 1490 kg gross, 50 L tank, 120 mm clearance, 5-speed Manual, FWD, compression 11, bore × stroke 82.7 × 93, multi-point injection, 95 fuel, no boost. The 180 hp car is the one that changes the rear axle on paper: Independent, spring rear versus Semi-independent, spring on the 169 hp restyling and on the 2000 car. Fuel use is measured on 169 hp (city 10.5 / highway 6.4 / combined 7.9 L/100 km pre-restyling; city 11.2 / highway 6.3 / combined 8.1 after restyling) and is not measured on the 180 hp 2.0 MT. If you want the lightest Clio RS in this file, every second-generation 2.0 MT is 1035 kg — 205 kg lighter than any third-generation 2.0 MT (1240 kg) and 169 kg lighter than any fourth-generation 1.6 EDC (1204 kg).
3 generation (2006–2012), Mini 3-doors. The step that buyers feel in the numbers is power and gearbox, not doors. Both third-generation cars are 2.0 MT, 1998 cm³, 6-speed Manual, FWD, 200 hp, 215 Nm, 6.9 s to 100 km/h, 1240 kg kerb, 1690 kg gross, Mini 3-doors, no turbo. Pre-restyling (2006-01-01–2009-12-31) 2.0 MT: 200 hp / 147 kW at 7250 rpm, 215 Nm at 5500 rpm, Distributed injection (multi-point), 98 fuel, top speed 215 km/h, tank 50 L, clearance 120 mm, rear Semi-independent, torsion, city 12.2 / highway 7.1 / combined 8.9 L/100 km, CO₂ not measured, eco class not measured. Restyling (2009-01-01–2012-12-31) 2.0 MT: 200 hp / 148 kW at 7100 rpm, 215 Nm at 5400 rpm, Direct injection (direct), 95 fuel, top speed 225 km/h (+10 km/h), tank 55 L (+5 L), clearance 108 mm (−12 mm), rear Semi-independent, spring, city 11.3 / highway 6.4 / combined 8.2 L/100 km, CO₂ 195 g/km, eco class not measured. Same 200 hp nameplate; the restyling is the one that fills a larger tank, runs on 95 instead of 98, and is 10 km/h faster at the top.
4 generation (2013–ongoing), Mini 5-doors. From 2013-01-01 the RS is no longer a 2.0 Manual three-door. Every fourth-generation row is 1.6 EDC: 1618 cm³ turbo, Direct injection (direct), 4 inline, Front, transverse, 6-speed Robotic, FWD, 95 fuel, 45 L tank, 120 mm clearance, 1204 kg kerb. Pre-restyling (to 2016-12-31) 1.6 EDC: 200 hp / 147 kW at 6000 rpm, 240 Nm at 1750 rpm, 6.7 s, 230 km/h, city 8.1 / highway 5.1 / combined 6.3, CO₂ 144 g/km, Euro 5, gross 1714 kg, wheels 205/45 R17 and 205/40 R18. Restyling from 2016-01-01 (stop not measured): two 1.6 EDC cars. 1.6 EDC 200 hp / 147 kW: 260 Nm at 2000 rpm, 6.7 s, 230 km/h, city 7.6 / highway 5.1 / combined 5.9, CO₂ 133 g/km, Euro 6, gross 1711 kg, same two wheel sizes. 1.6 EDC 220 hp / 162 kW: 260 Nm at 2000 rpm, 6.6 s, 235 km/h, same 7.6 / 5.1 / 5.9, CO₂ 135 g/km, Euro 6, wheels not measured. The extra 20 hp on the 220 car is +10% power for −0.1 s to 100 km/h and +5 km/h top speed; torque is identical to the restyling 200.
Renault Clio RS specs: engines in one table
| Version (exact name) | Generation block | hp (kW @ rpm) | Nm @ rpm | cm³ | Fuel | Cyl. / layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 MT 169 | 2 generation | 169 (124 @ 6250) | 200 @ 5400 | 1998 | Gasoline | 4 Inline | No | Manual 5 | FWD |
| 2.0 MT 169 | 2 generation, restyling | 169 (124 @ 6250) | 200 @ 5400 | 1998 | Gasoline | 4 Inline | No | Manual 5 | FWD |
| 2.0 MT 180 | 2 generation, restyling | 180 (132 @ 6500) | 200 @ 5250 | 1998 | Gasoline | 4 Inline | No | Manual 5 | FWD |
| 2.0 MT 200 | 3 generation | 200 (147 @ 7250) | 215 @ 5500 | 1998 | Gasoline | 4 Inline | No | Manual 6 | FWD |
| 2.0 MT 200 | 3 generation, restyling | 200 (148 @ 7100) | 215 @ 5400 | 1998 | Gasoline | 4 Inline | No | Manual 6 | FWD |
| 1.6 EDC 200 | 4 generation | 200 (147 @ 6000) | 240 @ 1750 | 1618 | Gasoline | 4 Inline | Turbo | Robotic 6 | FWD |
| 1.6 EDC 200 | 4 generation, restyling | 200 (147 @ 6000) | 260 @ 2000 | 1618 | Gasoline | 4 Inline | Turbo | Robotic 6 | FWD |
| 1.6 EDC 220 | 4 generation, restyling | 220 (162 @ 6000) | 260 @ 2000 | 1618 | Gasoline | 4 Inline | Turbo | Robotic 6 | FWD |
Engine size in searches (“Clio RS engine size”) is two displacements only: 1998 cm³ on every 2.0 MT, 1618 cm³ on every 1.6 EDC. Peak power per litre (hp ÷ displacement in litres): 2.0 MT 169 = 84.6 hp/L; 2.0 MT 180 = 90.1 hp/L; both third-generation 2.0 MT 200 = 100.1 hp/L; 1.6 EDC 200 = 123.6 hp/L; 1.6 EDC 220 = 136.0 hp/L. Torque arrives 3650–3750 rpm earlier on the turbo cars than on the 2.0 naturally aspirated peak (1750–2000 rpm versus 5250–5500 rpm). Engine code is not measured. Engine oil grade is not measured.
Renault Clio RS horsepower, 0–100, mpg-style consumption
If you want the highest horsepower: 1.6 EDC 220 hp is the only 220 in the file. Versus the restyling 1.6 EDC 200: +20 hp, same 260 Nm, 6.6 s versus 6.7 s, 235 versus 230 km/h, CO₂ 135 versus 133 g/km. Versus the original fourth-generation 1.6 EDC 200: +20 hp, +20 Nm (260 vs 240), −0.1 s, +5 km/h, −9 g/km CO₂ (135 vs 144), Euro 6 versus Euro 5.
If you want 200 hp and a clutch pedal: third-generation 2.0 MT only. Pre-restyling 215 km/h and 8.9 L/100 km combined; restyling 225 km/h and 8.2 L/100 km combined (−0.7 L/100 km combined, −0.9 city, −0.7 highway). Both 6.9 s to 100 km/h.
If you want 200 hp and the robotic gearbox: fourth-generation 1.6 EDC 200. Combined 6.3 L/100 km before restyling, 5.9 after (−0.4). City 8.1 then 7.6. Highway stays 5.1. That restyling 200 also adds 20 Nm (260 vs 240) without changing 6.7 s or 230 km/h.
If you will accept under 200 hp for mass: second-generation 2.0 MT. 169 hp: 7.3 s, 220 km/h. 180 hp: 7.1 s (−0.2 s), 222 km/h (+2). Combined fuel on 169 hp is 7.9 then 8.1 L/100 km; on 180 hp combined is not measured (city not measured, highway not measured).
Kerb-to-power: 1035/169 = 6.12 kg/hp; 1035/180 = 5.75 kg/hp (best among the 2.0 cars); 1240/200 = 6.20 kg/hp (heaviest per hp); 1204/200 = 6.02 kg/hp; 1204/220 = 5.47 kg/hp (best in the catalogue).
Renault Clio RS dimensions, weight, tank, wheels
Length, width, height, and wheelbase are not measured for any version. What is measured:
- Kerb: 1035 kg (2.0 MT all second generation) → 1240 kg (2.0 MT both third generation, +205 kg) → 1204 kg (1.6 EDC all fourth generation, −36 kg versus gen 3, +169 kg versus gen 2).
- Gross: 1490 kg (gen 2) → 1690 kg (gen 3, +200) → 1714 kg (gen 4 pre-restyle) / 1711 kg (gen 4 restyle). Payload arithmetic: 1490−1035 = 455 kg (gen 2); 1690−1240 = 450 kg (gen 3); 1714−1204 = 510 kg (gen 4 2013); 1711−1204 = 507 kg (gen 4 restyle).
- Ground clearance: 120 mm on every version except third-generation restyling 2.0 MT at 108 mm.
- Tank: 50 L (gen 2 and gen 3 pre-restyle) → 55 L (gen 3 restyle) → 45 L (every 1.6 EDC). Combined-range arithmetic where combined consumption is measured: gen 2 169 hp 2000: 50/7.9 ≈ 633 km; gen 2 restyle 169: 50/8.1 ≈ 617 km; gen 3: 50/8.9 ≈ 562 km; gen 3 restyle: 55/8.2 ≈ 671 km (longest on paper); gen 4: 45/6.3 ≈ 714 km; gen 4 restyle both 1.6 EDC: 45/5.9 ≈ 763 km.
- Wheels: 205/45 R17 and 205/40 R18 on gen 4 1.6 EDC 200 (both 2013 and restyle 200). Not measured on 1.6 EDC 220 and on every 2.0 MT.
Brakes are the same label on every row: Ventilated disc front, disc rear. Front suspension is Independent, spring on every row.
Which Renault Clio RS version to choose
Buy the restyling 4 generation 1.6 EDC 220 hp if the question is “highest output in this catalogue.” It is the only 220 hp / 162 kW car, the best kg/hp (5.47), and it shares the lowest measured combined use (5.9 L/100 km) with the restyling 200. Wheels are not measured on this row; the 200 hp twin lists 17- and 18-inch sizes.
Buy the restyling 4 generation 1.6 EDC 200 hp if you want the same 260 Nm, 6.7 s, 230 km/h, Euro 6, 5.9 L/100 km, and documented 205/45 R17 / 205/40 R18, without the 20 hp step. Versus the 2013 1.6 EDC 200 you gain 20 Nm, −0.4 L/100 km combined, −11 g/km CO₂ (133 vs 144), Euro 6 instead of Euro 5, and −3 kg gross. Acceleration and top speed do not change.
Buy the 2013–2016 1.6 EDC 200 hp only if you specifically want the first five-door RS with 240 Nm at 1750 rpm (the earliest torque peak in the file) and accept Euro 5, 6.3 L/100 km combined, and 144 g/km.
Buy the 2009–2012 2.0 MT 200 hp (3 generation, restyling) if you want a 6-speed Manual, 1998 cm³, no turbo, and the last three-door. It is 10 km/h faster than the 2006–2009 2.0 MT 200 (225 vs 215), uses 95 not 98, has the 55 L tank, 0.7 L/100 km less combined, and 108 mm clearance. It is 36 kg heavier at the kerb than any 1.6 EDC and 2.3 L/100 km thirstier combined than the restyling 1.6 EDC 200 (8.2 vs 5.9).
Buy the 2006–2009 2.0 MT 200 hp if you want the torsion rear, 120 mm clearance, 98 fuel, and peak power at 7250 rpm. Same 6.9 s as the restyle; slower top speed; highest combined use among measured cars (8.9).
Buy the restyling 2 generation 2.0 MT 180 hp if weight and a 5-speed Manual matter more than peak power. 1035 kg, 5.75 kg/hp, Independent, spring rear — unique among the 169/180 pair. Consumption is not measured; 7.1 s and 222 km/h are measured.
Buy either 2.0 MT 169 hp if you want the original 169 hp spec: 7.3 s, 220 km/h, 200 Nm at 5400 rpm. Prefer 2000–2001 if you want the lower combined figure that is actually written down (7.9 vs 8.1). Prefer 2001–2005 restyling 169 if you want that power level inside the restyle years. Both are 1035 kg.
Do not choose between these rows on price: price is not measured. Do not choose a V6, Trophy, 172, 197, or RS Line from this page: they are not in the data. For a five-door and a robotic gearbox, the list is only 1.6 EDC. For a three-door and a Manual, the list is only 2.0 MT.