Now in its thirties, the Renault Clio 16S officially joins the ranks of vintage cars. Long remained in the shadow of the Clio Williams, the 16S is a real “bombinette” today popular.
When we think of the sporty versions of the Renault Clio, we first think of the relatively recent RS models, the legendary Williams version of the first generation, or even the Clio 2 V6. This would be to forget a little quickly that the original Clio was entitled, two years before the arrival of the Williams, to a real “GTI”. Its 16-valve engine, synonymous with sportiness at the time, earned it the sober but effective suffix of 16S. The first examples of this variation left the factory in 1991. They can therefore be registered as collector’s vehicles. for owners who want it now.
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Clio 16S, the right recipe
At launch, the Renault Clio 16S drew 140 hp from its 1.8 l four-cylinder engine from the R19. The arrival of the catalyst at the end of 1992 caused it to lose three small horses. But, in parallel, the great rival Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9 l catalyzed more accuses the blow by losing eight horses on its original 130.
The power of the Clio 16S is sent to the front wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox and the city car, with less than a ton on the scale and onions to the ground, is unanimous on its dynamic services. Sporting just the right amount of muscular details, The Clio 16S is first recognized by the off-center bulge of its hood incorporating an air intake and its 14 then 15 inch alloy rims with “turbine” design. The shields and front fenders also differ from the rest of the range. Inside, we notice a more extensive instrumentation in line with the sporting vocation of the car.
The Clio 16S is no longer unloved
The Renault Clio 16S was joined during the career by the Williams version, but also by the more modest S and RSi. What form a very important sporting offer for a versatile city car. It was produced until 1996, changing its name to 16V in 1994, and is therefore not uncommon on occasion.
Long neglected to the detriment of the Clio Williams, the 16S has seen its price rise in recent years. Beyond the price, it becomes difficult to find a copy in good condition and with few kilometers. The mechanics do not like to be roughed up, electrical problems are frequent, and we can no longer count the 16S modified without great care. In addition, a number of automobiles were converted into racing cars. A beautiful Clio 16S with less than 150,000 km on the odometer is trading today just above 10,000 €.
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