PRICE £SOLD
YEAR 2005
ENGINE 1998cc/4-cyl 16-valve/DOHC/Multipoint fuel injection
POWER 180bhp@6500rpm
MAXIMUM SPEED 138mph
0-60MPH 6.5sec 
GEARBOX FWD, five-speed manual
MILEAGE 49,801
MOT 12 months from sale
CHASSIS NUMBER VF1CB220F34252324
ENGINE NUMBER C013653
COLOUR Capsicum Red
INTERIOR Grey leather and Alcantara
WIDTH 1639mm
LENGTH 3812mm
HEIGHT 1417mm 

This rare and sought-after French hot hatch - number 220 of just 500 imported into the UK - is in excellent original condition, and has covered under 50,000 miles

RenaultSport was born in 1976 when the French marque set up a new performance arm at the old Gordini factory near Paris. While its main focus was initially machines for motorsport, in 1996 Renault started badging its more potent road-going sports cars under the RenaultSport brand. The initial launch was the exciting Spider two-seater roadster in 1996 – which had no mainstream Renault equivalent – but in 1998, the name (commonly abbreviated to just ‘RS’) was extended to the small family Clio model, to create hatches that were even hotter than the previous Clio 16V and Clio Williams offerings.  

The first model was the Clio II RS 172, with the number referring to the power output in metric horsepower (which, for us Brits, equated to 170bhp in good old mechanical horsepower – but what’s a couple of horses between friends?). It did this via a modified version of the 2.0-litre 16-valve engine found in less potent form in the Laguna and Espace. This was enough to propel the car to 60mph in 6.6 secs, with an overall outright velocity of nearly 140mph.

The success of the model prompted Renault to expand the breed. In 2001, there was a facelift in line with the humbler family Clio IIs, followed by, in 2002, the 172 Cup – a lightweight homologation special with many of the heftier luxuries omitted. In 2004 came the Clio II RS 182 – this time, with 180bhp on tap. This was complemented by another weight-shedding Cup variant and, finally, the Clio II RS 182 Trophy, as here.

Based on the 182 Cup, this special edition was limited to just 500 cars for the UK market and 50 for Switzerland. The machines came with 16-inch Speedline Turini alloy wheels (the same as on the Cup), a spoiler courtesy of the Clio 255 V6 and special Capsicum Red paint, featuring side skirts with Trophy decals. Recaro Trendline seats were installed inside, with the driver’s one including an individually numbered plaque. One of the defining features of the 182 Trophy was its Sachs Remote-Reservoir shock absorbers, which sharpened up handling even more. It led to the car being lauded as one of the most impressive hot hatches of all time; in fact a 2005 AutoCar magazine trumpeted it as THE ‘world’s greatest hot hatch’. Evo magazine was similarly impressed, awarding it the accolade of the ‘people’s performance car of the year 2005’ – and placing it above the Lamborghini Gallardo in a road test comparison.

The 182 Trophy was the high point of the Clio II RS range; the Clio III RS came out later in 2005 but was heavier and more substantial. And our car is something quite special again. It’s number 220 out of the 500 produced, according to the plaque correctly in place at the base of the driver’s seat. DY55 BUJ was registered in September 2005 and, since then, has had five registered keepers, who must all have been very conscientious judging by its exemplary condition and low mileage of just 49,801 miles, backed up by its accompanying history plus the online MoT data. The last service invoice dates from April 2022 at 49,361 miles, so the oil has scarcely passed through the engine since it was changed. Reassuringly, the cambelt, tensioner and water pump were also done at the same time (with the bill for all this work coming to £1223) meaning this fast Clio is entirely good to go. And very enthusiastic to do so…        

The Trophy’s condition is almost as good as new. That really isn’t an overstatement; take a look at our pictures to see just how well-preserved this completely original RS is. It looks like it’s barely covered 5000 miles, let alone nearly 50,000. The nose only has a few stonechips and the sills underneath the Trophy-branded bodykit are very clean and free from damage. Even the oft-scratched protruding door mirror covers display no marks, while the inside of the fuel flap is near spotless. The rest of the body and paint is superb throughout, albeit with some small scratches on the roof that are only really noticeable if you’re looking for them.

The plastic body areas perfectly match the Capsicum Red areas of metal or, where their colour is black, are a deep and consistent shade with no fading or greying. The headlamps are free from any clouding and the wheels have escaped any serious kerbing (and in the few spots where there is some, the areas have received attention) and have no corrosion. The tyres are Michelin PilotSport3 205/45 ZR 16 87W items, with a 2022 date stamp, so there’s plenty of tread and life left.

Inside, the grey-themed cabin is arguably even better than the exterior. The leather and Alcantara Recaro front seats (with branding) have next-to-no wear, even on the oft-scuffed side bolsters. The rear seat is all-fabric but is in a similarly fine state of preserve. Carpets (protected by Clio-specific rubber overmats), door cards and the dashboard are also issue-free; there’s no cracking or deformation of the plastic facia on the latter. The four gauges – rev counter, speedometer, and fuel and temperature readings – all function as intended and there are no concerning warning lights or messages. The factory radio/CD player remains in its central place, above the heater/cooling controls, which include fully-working air conditioning. The RenaultSport-monogrammed steering wheel, with hub controls, has white stitching and that this isn’t discoloured is another testament to the care and attention that has been heaped on this Clio II over the last 18 years. The boot area doesn’t look like it’s even carried anything save for the factory jack kit, which is completely unused and still in its original leather pouch.

Under the bonnet, the engine bay is not far off Concours. Everything is near-immaculate and utterly standard, with no modifications from norm. There’s no grime, dirt, dust or corrosion, and the painted areas are still bright and vibrant. The silver RenaultSport manifold that dominates the top of the engine has resisted the usual mottling. Even the wing securing bolts on both sides along with the various jubilee clips etc have escaped the usual surface rust, while all the information and warning stickers are in place – as they are elsewhere throughout the vehicle.  

The RS runs well and drives very well, exactly as you’d expect a sub-50,000-mile 21st century hot  hatch to do. Its performance is impressive, with heady acceleration and very effective brakes more than capable of reigning this pocket French rocket in. But it’s the handling where this Clio truly shines, with a precision and poise that really brings home just why it has become such a hot hatch legend. Few 18-year-old cars feel so fresh and good to be behind the wheel of.

Accompanying the Clio II are the current V5C plus some old ones, invoices from throughout the car’s life and MoTs back to 2008. There’s also club literature and the original book pack, with its full quota of manuals etc, including the owner’s handbook, radio instructions, radio code and service book. This has regular entries up to April 2015 and 46,866 miles, but there is paper evidence of further servicing beyond this up to the most recent one, less than 500 miles ago last year.

The year of 2005 was when a rebooted Doctor Who returned to BBC screens, and we can’t help but feel that it’s quite appropriate that this Clio II RS 182 Trophy hails from the same year, because it is like something out of a timewarp. There can be few of the just 500 examples constructed that are this original and well-preserved, with such a low mileage. Because this was always a car designed to be driven and enjoyed, and for other hot hatches of the same era to be measured by. Now is a great opportunity for somebody to find that out and have a modern classic to be very proud of… and for other people to be extremely envious of.     

While Greenside Cars Ltd has tried to ensure information and assessments are accurate and complete, we are aware that some errors and omissions may occur from time to time. We are not able, therefore, to guarantee the accuracy of information and cannot accept liability for loss or damage arising from it. We highly recommend that you examine any vehicle to check the reliability of the information supplied. Please contact us for further details, images, or to arrange a viewing of this 2005 RenaultSport Clio II RS 182 Trophy.

PRICE

£SOLD

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YEAR

2005

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ENGINE

1998cc 4-CYL 16V DOHC

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MILEAGE

48,801

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COLOUR

CAPSICUM RED

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To enquire about this vehicle or request a viewing, please contact us via phone or email.