Skip advert
Advertisement

All-electric Renault Zoe RS to replace Clio RS?

Renault bosses reveal that a hot variant of the all-electric Zoe could be on the way to replace the Clio RS

With the standard Clio already upon us, you might be wondering when we’ll first see the next Renault Clio RS. As our sister title Auto Express discovered, it seems we won’t see one at all, but the French marque does have something else sporty up its sleeve...

Renault’s executive vice-president of product planning, Ali Kasai, told Auto Express that a new Clio RS is simply not viable, but that a performance-orientated, all-electric Zoe is the most likely model to sit in its place. Kasai said: ‘We need to be in line with the current trends; we have to invent the future sporty cars.’

Advertisement - Article continues below

> Renault Zoe E-sport review - the future of the hot hatch?

It’s not the first time Renault Sport has turned its attention to electric power, with it having produced the Formula E-inspired Zoe e-sport concept in 2017. The model featured a dual-motor set-up, putting a combined 454bhp to all four wheels for a 3.2sec 0-62mph time. A production version wouldn’t be quite this extreme, but a dual-motor arrangement could be carried over. Should we see a ‘Zoe RS’, it would likely take design elements from the concept, adding wider arches for a more aggressive stance and larger intakes for battery cooling.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Advertisement - Article continues below

The standard Zoe is powered by a 52kWh battery and a front-mounted 132bhp motor, and is good for a claimed range of 245 miles. A performance variant would naturally claim less range given the same battery size, especially if Renault punted for a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive set-up, something we’re yet to see in a compact EV. 

It’s clear that Renault understands the downfalls associated with performance EVs, with Kasai adding: ‘The question is what is the performance? What is the range of that car? How would it be on track? Renault Sport is a serious player, so if we do the car it has to have the performance. But if it can only do one lap of a track and then it has to go to a charging station, well that’s not what we want to do.’

As for why the hot Clio has reached the end of the road, Kasai put it down to strict emissions targets, making development of an affordable performance hatch impossible. Kasai said: ‘Today a Clio RS would need very elaborate technology to reach lower CO2 levels. And by keeping the high performance necessary for such a vehicle, you would have to charge such a big premium that those customers would be mostly unable to afford it. At the moment, even if we love sporty cars, as is our history, we can’t find the solution to that equation – it’s impossible. Also, looking at the competition, we don’t see many rivals.’

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Renault Sport Clio 200 Turbo – the car world's greatest misses
Renault Sport Clio 200 Turbo
Features

Renault Sport Clio 200 Turbo – the car world's greatest misses

This misguided departure from the French brand’s hot hatch heritage saw the Clio fall from grace
18 Jan 2025
Toyota GR Yaris 2025 review – the modern homologation special gets even better
Toyota GR Yaris – front
In-depth reviews

Toyota GR Yaris 2025 review – the modern homologation special gets even better

Toyota’s GR Yaris was always brilliant but has received a number of key and welcome updates. It’s even better but also, a lot more expensive.
17 Jan 2025
Ford Fiesta ST (Mk8, 2017 - 2023) review and buying guide – a hot hatch that left on a high
Ford Fiesta ST front
In-depth reviews

Ford Fiesta ST (Mk8, 2017 - 2023) review and buying guide – a hot hatch that left on a high

Ford’s inimitably popular hot hatch arguably died before its time, but it went out on top-tier form
14 Jan 2025
Is this mid-engined Toyota GR Yaris a 2027 MR2 test car?
Toyota GR Yaris M
News

Is this mid-engined Toyota GR Yaris a 2027 MR2 test car?

Toyota’s mid-engined GR Yaris M will go racing to test the new G20E high-performance petrol engine, and it could offer a first look at the next MR2
10 Jan 2025
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New performance cars that depreciate the least (and most)
Porsche Taycan Turbo GT and Cayman GT4 RS
News

New performance cars that depreciate the least (and most)

What new cars depreciate the least after three years or 36,000 miles? These projections feature some predictable models and some surprises…
17 Jan 2025
Toyota GR Yaris 2025 review – the modern homologation special gets even better
Toyota GR Yaris – front
In-depth reviews

Toyota GR Yaris 2025 review – the modern homologation special gets even better

Toyota’s GR Yaris was always brilliant but has received a number of key and welcome updates. It’s even better but also, a lot more expensive.
17 Jan 2025
Best fast family cars – our favourite fun, practical daily drivers
Best fast family cars
Best cars

Best fast family cars – our favourite fun, practical daily drivers

A family car doesn’t need to be dull – some of our favourite performance models deliver the thrills of a purpose-built sports car
13 Jan 2025