H Renault έχει ξεκινήσει τις παραδώσεις του Clio Cup, της αγωνιστικής έκδοσης του νέου Clio RS, το οποίο σύμφωνα με την Renault διαθέτει καλύτερο πλαίσιο, περισσότερη ροπή και λιγότερο βάρος σε σχέση με το προηγούμενο μοντέλο.
Το αγωνιστικό Renault Clio RS Cup βασίζεται στο Clio R.S. 200 EDC και διαθέτει νέο αεροδυναμικό πακέτο, με πιο επιθετική μάσκα, μεγάλη πίσω αεροτομή, εισαγωγή αέρα στον ουρανό, πίσω διαχύτη και διπλές απολήξεις της εξάτμισης.
Μηχανικά φορά τον ίδιο 1.600αρη turbo κινητήρα απόδοσης 220 ίππων με 270 Nm ροπής και συνδυάζεται με ένα 6-τάχυτηο σειριακό κιβώτιο της Sadev, που πραγματοποιεί τις αλλαγές σε μόλις 100 χιλιοστά του δευτερολέπτου. Ο εγκέφαλος του είναι ο SQ7DI της Cosworth, τα ρυθμιζόμενα αμορτισέρ της ZF Race Engineering, ενώ τα φρένα έρχονται από τη Brembo με αεριζόμενους δίσκους μπροστά διαμέτρου 320 χλστ., ενώ πατάει σε 17-ιντσες ζάντες της Speedline Corse, με ελαστικά της Dunlop ή Michelin.
Στο εσωτερικό του έχει αφαιρεθεί κάθε τι περιττό και έχει τοποθετηθεί ένα αγωνιστικό bucket, roll cage, ψηφιακός πίνακας οργάνων, ένα πολυλειτουργικό τιμόνι, αγωνιστικό κάθισμα της Sabelt με ζώνες έξι σημείων και προεγκατάσταση για HANS. Το αυτοκίνητο έχει την έγκριση από την FIA και πωλείται έναντι €39.900 (χωρίς ΦΠΑ).
[Πηγή: Renault]
[learn_more caption=”Δελτίο Τύπου”]
FIRST BATCH OF FOURTH GENERATION RACING CLIOS SOLD FOR 2014 SEASON
Organisers of the Renault UK Clio Cup, Britain’s premier one-make saloon car championship, are delighted to confirm the first batch of fourth generation Clio Cup race cars – which will debut in the UK series in 2014 – have all been sold.
Highlighting the incredible popularity of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship support category, and the unstinting support of existing teams and drivers, the first run of cars which have been made available for the UK market have all been snapped-up.
Former championship-winning team Total Control Racing has ordered two cars, as has race-winning squad Scuderia Vittoria, with JHR Developments purchasing one Renault Clio from the first batch and existing drivers Finlay Crocker, Ronnie Klos and Simon Belcher each buying one of the brand new 1.6-litre turbo-charged cars.
In addition, 20Ten Racing – which currently runs a single entry in the Renault UK Clio Cup – is seeking a multi-car return to the flagship category next year and has secured no less than three of the fourth generation racing Renault Clios.
Since the announcement of the arrival of the latest car, and the subsequent confirmation of the brand new three-year deal to remain an integral part of the BTCC’s ‘TOCA Tour’, organisers have also received numerous enquiries from drivers and teams looking to debut in the Renault UK Clio Cup.
One such competitor, Daniel Rowbottom, has secured one of the latest generation cars and is set to run in the 2014 championship under the DRM Motorsport banner. Rowbottom, who last competed in the now defunct SEAT Cupra Championship back in 2008, is looking to re-ignite his motor racing aspirations with a return to action in the Clio Cup.
With the current Renault UK Clio Cup season still in full flow, championship manager Simon North says the willingness of competitors and teams to nail their colours to the mast so early is a huge vote of confidence for the direction of the championship in 2014 and also the strength of the category.
“We always felt confident the new turbo-charged Clio would prove popular and we’re absolutely thrilled to have sold the first batch of cars for next season”, said North, “We’ve got fantastic support from existing teams like JHR, Scuderia Vittoria, TCR and 20Ten, and we’ve received a lot of enquiries from competitors completely new to Clio racing, like Daniel Rowbottom.
“I can’t think of any other championship, either on or off the TOCA package, which would be able to attract such strong support for the purchase of a new car when competitors and teams are in the midst of a year’s racing. It speaks volumes for the strength and quality of the Renault UK Clio Cup.”
Renault Sport Technologies in France will be taking orders for the next batch of fourth generation Renault Clio Cup race cars, which all come fitted as standard with the paddle-shift gear change option, in the autumn as preparations for 2014 gather pace. The car is priced 39,900 Euros plus VAT.
Commenting on the first wave of orders, Renault UK Communications Director Jeremy Townsend said: “To have sold the first allocation of cars is fantastic and testament to the commitment our teams and drivers have to the Renault UK Clio Cup. We know from the feedback we’ve received so far, the fourth generation car is proving incredibly popular and it looks set for a great debut in 2014.”
From a competitor perspective, TCR team principal Lee Brookes added: “Getting in early with a new car is something we’ve always done, we want to be testing as soon as we can over the winter – you want to know where the car needs to be, how to get the most out of it, as quick as you can. By doing that, hopefully we can get a few drivers on board early for next year.
“The new car will have a big challenge to be better than the current car we’re running. That’s a really hard car to beat, it’s been a very good piece of kit. The new car seems impressive, though, so we’re looking forward to getting our hands on our first one and getting out there testing.”
Renault UK Clio Cup is sponsored by www.buyoils.co.uk with support from ELF, NGK Spark Plugs, WP Racing and official tyre supplier Dunlop.
[/learn_more]