2002 RenaultSport Clio V6 (230) Phase 1

A spin-off from the ‘Clio Trophy’ race series and first previewed at the Paris Motor Show in 1998, the Clio V6 230 was in many ways the spiritual successor to the mid-engined 5-Turbo. Launched in 2001, the wide-hipped, mid-engined ‘baby supercar' was broadly based on the Clio Mk II but the V6 variant actually shared very little with its standard counterpart. Where the rear seats would normally be nestled a tweaked version of the proven and unstressed 3-litre, 24v, V6 unit from the Laguna saloon offering access to 227bhp (230PS) fed to the rear wheels and enabling 0-60 in 6.2 seconds and 146mph, not for the faint-hearted in such a diminutive ‘rocket ship’. The Phase 1 cars were assembled by hand at the Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR) workshops in Uddevalla in Sweden, using parts shipped from France, producing just 1,513 examples between 2001 and 2003.

This right-hand drive UK-supplied 2002 Phase 1 Clio V6 is finished in sparkling Iceberg Silver with a Charcoal half-leather and Alcantara interior. It has covered approximately 55,000 miles (at of time of cataloguing) and has been enjoyed by just a single previous owner (plus the original supplying dealer) for the last 21 years.

This is #176 of the 1,513 Phase 1 cars and is in exceptional cosmetic and mechanical condition, belying its mileage (which equates to just over c.2,500 per year). Supplied new on 6th September 2002 and originally registered to its Renault supplying dealer, it was purchased by its original privateer owner in March 2003 and owned by him until very recently (V5C states one former keeper). It's accompanied by its original/complete book pack (including service booklet and all manuals), a file of invoices, both keys, and even the original unused tax disc holder.

The car’s early services were carried out by the original supplying dealer along with MOTs up to August 2015 and 50,893 miles. Invoices then follow on from Clio V6 specialist SG Motorsport showing significant work (detailed below) carried out (£7,347.57 in parts alone) in November/December 2019 (at 53,488 miles), with c.2,000 miles covered since.

"Rebuild front subframe with new lower arms and bolts; Blast and paint suspension items; Build-up new struts and top mounts; Build-up new hub and bearing assemblies; Treat all metal work with underseal; Remove fuel tank and treat; Rebuild rear sub-frame with new trailing arms and used lower arms; Galvanise front and rear subframes; New brake pipes; New BOSCH battery; Renew brake fluid; Remove engine and gearbox; New cambelt kit + water pump + aux belt + bottom pulley; New spark Plugs; All filters replaced; New A/C Condenser and rear section pipes; New inlet manifold gasket and breather pipes; New clutch slave-cylinder and driveshaft oil seal; New rear hard-line brake pipes and clutch pipe; Wax all suspension units and rear body area; Reseal rear arches".

Importantly, the Clio V6 Phase 1 represents the essence of the modern, mid-engined ‘hot-hatch' from Renault and classic car history often suggests that it's the early cars that end up being the most sought-after. In addition to this, the Phase 1 was a real limited-edition model, with the cachet of being engineered and built by a famous motor-sport specialist. These factors, combined with this example's low owners, condition and maintenance record, sound like a recipe for future classic status.