2014 RENAULTSPORT CLIO 4 CUP - LHD

This genuine Renaultsport Clio 4 Cup, which raced in the 2016 and 2017 UK Clio Cup competitions, represents an exciting and relatively affordable race car. Finished in an eye-catching hue of BMW matt gold, it has a stripped-out interior in Renaultsport White.

The Clio 4 Cup is powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine which produces 220hp and 270Nm of torque. Rather than being coupled to a dual-clutch automatic transmission like the standard Clio RS road car on which it is based, the Clio 4 Cup uses a full Sadev six-speed sequential gearbox, electrically actuated via steering wheel mounted shift paddles, swapping up and down ratios in just 100 milliseconds. The car also features a Cosworth ECU managing engine mapping and transmission shift patterns, as well as PI Toolbox software.

Built to compete in the Clio Cup which ran alongside the BTCC, this is chassis number 23 of the limited number built. This car was completed in 2014, and has had only one previous owner. The seller has owned the car for two-and-a-half years. While it has been raced enthusiastically, it has never suffered from any major accident damage.

The striking bodywork, sprayed in a gold BMW motorcycle hue with matt lacquer, has some typical chips and blemishes all round from racing. The seller notes that there is some paint cracking on the left rear quarter, some small dents along the flanks, and other minor dings and scratches. A crack is also present in the windscreen, which is shown in the gallery below. There are quick-release securing pins in place for the bonnet and tailgate. Its black alloy wheels have quite a lot of chips and scuffs from racing, and are currently shod in Michelin wet tyres. A spare set of wheels fitted with Nankang semi-slick items is also included, along with Michelin slicks.

As one would expect in a pure race car, the interior is completely stripped out and fitted with a full roll cage. There is a range of dedicated racing equipment, from a Tilton Engineering remote brake bias adjuster to a plumbed-in Lifeline fire extinguisher system. The car’s diagnostic data is visible in the photographs, and the seller notes that a lead for data download is included with the sale. The car has been serviced by motorsport specialist Performance Preparation in Cumbria before and after track sessions, to ensure it remains in good mechanical order.

CAR magazine’s Ben Barry reviewed the fourth generation Clio Cup when new, giving it a full five-star rating, and concluding that “the turbo engine is flexible, but never feels like it runs out of puff too soon; the gear changes are quick and punchy, so you always feel it when a gear fires home, and the chassis is very, very dynamic”.

Now ready to thrill a new owner on track, this Renaultsport Clio Cup is a circuit-ready hot hatch, with an impressive engine and transmission combination. It makes a great entry-level racer, which could be a great development car for an aspiring driver, or could simply be put into regular use as a track day hero.