Renault Clio V6 Phase 1: History, Specs & Buying Guide

Its dramatic body and 230PS engine made it an instant icon, but the short wheelbase and mid-engined weight distribution also gave the early car a demanding reputation. This guide covers its history, Phase 1 specifications, differences from Phase 2, identification and essential buying checks.

Clio V6 Phase 1 at a glance

Production	2001–2003 road cars
Developer	Renault Sport with Tom Walkinshaw Racing
Assembly	TWR, Uddevalla, Sweden
Engine	2,946cc 24-valve V6
Power	230PS
Torque	300Nm at 3,750rpm
Transmission	Six-speed manual
Layout	Rear mid-engine, rear-wheel drive
Official 0–100km/h	6.4 seconds
Official top speed	237km/h (147mph)
Phase 1 production	1,631 according to Renault Portugal
Right-hand-drive cars	256

From 1998 concept to road car

Renault revealed the Clio V6 concept at the 1998 Paris Motor Show. Its layout echoed the Renault 5 Turbo: a familiar small hatchback shape transformed by a mid-mounted engine, rear-wheel drive and greatly widened body. A one-make Clio V6 Trophy racing series helped develop the idea and promote the new Clio generation.

To reduce development time, Renault entrusted much of the first road car’s engineering to TWR. The result retained the concept’s essential proportions while adding the equipment and road-car systems needed for registration and regular use.

How different was it from a normal Clio?

The cabin’s dashboard and switchgear revealed the Clio II base, but the structure and mechanical layout were substantially altered. The V6 occupied the space behind the two front seats. New subframes, suspension, cooling equipment, transmission and rear-drive hardware turned the shell into a very different car.

• The body was 171mm wider and 66mm lower than a normal Clio.
• Front and rear tracks grew by approximately 110mm and 138mm.
• Large side intakes supplied air to the mid-mounted engine and cooling system.
• OZ 17-inch wheels carried 205/50 front and 235/45 rear tyres.
• Front braking used 330mm ventilated discs and four-piston AP Racing calipers.
• Rear seats and ordinary hatchback luggage capacity disappeared.

Engine, gearbox and performance

The 2,946cc, 24-valve V6 came from the same engine family used in larger Renault models such as the Laguna. For the Phase 1 Clio V6 it received changes including revised induction and a lighter flywheel. Output was 230PS with 300Nm of torque, sent through a six-speed PK6 manual gearbox and limited-slip differential.

Renault quoted 0–100km/h in 6.4 seconds and a 237km/h top speed. Those figures were impressive, but the car’s defining experience was the V6 operating immediately behind the occupants and the way its mass influenced direction changes.

Why does the Phase 1 have a difficult reputation?

A short wheelbase, wide rear track and substantial engine mass concentrated near the centre made the Phase 1 responsive but less forgiving near its limit. Sudden throttle changes, poor tyres, cold or wet roads and inexperienced inputs could provoke rapid oversteer. It had no modern stability-control system waiting to correct a mistake.

Phase 1 versus Phase 2 Clio V6

Feature	Phase 1	Phase 2
Production	2001–2003	2003–2005
Assembly	TWR, Sweden	Renault Sport, Dieppe
Power	230PS	255PS
Wheels	17-inch	18-inch
Body appearance	Early Clio II front and rear styling	Facelift styling and revised intakes
Chassis	Original wheelbase and settings	Longer wheelbase and extensively revised suspension
Character	Rarer-feeling, rawer and more demanding	Faster, more developed and more stable

The Phase 2 was not a cosmetic facelift alone. Renault Sport increased power, lengthened the wheelbase, widened the front track, revised suspension geometry and reinforced subframes. Buyers should choose according to the experience they want rather than assuming the later car makes the Phase 1 irrelevant.

Production numbers and UK colours

Renault’s Portuguese press history records 1,631 Phase 1 cars, including 256 right-hand-drive examples. UK registration data published by Renault Alpine specialists divides those 256 cars into 223 Iceberg Silver, 25 Mars Red and eight Iliad Blue examples.

Renault heritage pages do not always publish identical combined totals for both phases, so claims about exact worldwide production should identify the source and whether race cars, prototypes or market-specific cars are included.

How to identify a genuine Phase 1

• Confirm VIN, build number and registration history with marque specialists.
• Check early Clio II front styling, 17-inch OZ wheels and Phase 1 cabin details.
• Verify the mid-engine structure and factory subframes rather than relying on a wide-body kit.
• Match paint colour and trim with build documentation.
• Inspect the limited-slip differential, AP front brakes and V6-specific cooling arrangement.
• Ask an established Clio V6 specialist or owners’ community to review the car’s known history.

Renault Clio V6 Phase 1 buying checklist

Accident damage and bodywork

• Check panel gaps, paint depth and colour match across the composite wide-body panels.
• Inspect front and rear subframes, suspension pickup points and floor for distortion or repairs.
• Look underneath for missing undertrays, damaged air ducts and careless jacking.
• Examine wheelarch and bodykit joints for cracking or movement.
• Demand photographs and invoices for any accident repair; cosmetic appearance alone proves little.

Engine and service history

• Confirm documented cambelt, tensioner, dephaser and water-pump work by a recognised specialist.
• Start from cold and check for misfires, coil or lambda-sensor faults, smoke and coolant loss.
• Inspect the cooling system, hoses, fans and radiators; access can make neglected jobs expensive.
• Check for fluid leaks and evidence that the correct lubricants have been used.
• Do not let very low mileage substitute for time-based servicing.

Gearbox, clutch and differential

• Test every gear from cold and hot, listening for worn synchromesh or bearing noise.
• Check for a sloppy linkage, clutch judder or a high biting point.
• Listen for differential noise on acceleration and overrun.
• Budget properly for drivetrain work because access and model-specific parts increase labour costs.

Suspension, brakes, wheels and tyres

• Inspect rear suspension bushes, dampers, ball joints and alignment.
• Check AP calipers, discs, pads, hoses and ABS rings.
• Look closely for buckled, cracked or badly refurbished OZ wheels.
• Fit correct-size, high-quality tyres as a matched set and check their manufacturing dates.
• Uneven wear or a steering wheel that does not sit straight can indicate poor alignment or previous damage.

Interior and originality

• Test air conditioning, instruments, warning lights, windows, locks and alarm system.
• Check seats, steering wheel, pedals, carpets, numbered details and V6 trim.
• Look for poorly installed audio, immobiliser or tracker wiring.
• Keep original parts supplied with a modified car; reversibility protects historical value.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Clio V6 Phase 1 a hot hatch?

It uses a hatchback body shape, but its two-seat, mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout is fundamentally different from a conventional front-engined hot hatch.

How many right-hand-drive Phase 1 cars were made?

Renault’s published history records 256 right-hand-drive Phase 1 cars.

Is Phase 2 better than Phase 1?

Phase 2 is faster and its extensively revised chassis is more stable. Phase 1 offers the original styling, TWR history and a rawer driving experience. Condition and provenance matter more than a simple “better” label.

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