No, it doesn’t get a manual gearbox option, gaining more power, stiffer springs
The RenaultSport Clio RS 200 failed to convince fans of fun, tail-wagging hot hatches like in the vein of its predecessor. The 200 was a bit too grown up and mature for some, which is why the automaker has gone ahead and launched the harder, faster RS220 Trophy, claiming to address some issues keen drivers had with the standard RS.
It hasn’t addressed the key concerns that bugged many, like the lack o a manual gearbox option or awkward paddle shifter placement / feel, but it has given the car more power, stiffer springs along with other small yet meaningful mods.
The paddle shifters, for instance, were placed too far behind the wheel and were difficult to reach and their range of motion was a big too great (you had to pull them more than it felt comfortable to in order to swap cogs…).
Now, Renault says it has addressed part of the issue by reducing paddle travel by around a third, although they’re still ever so slightly out of reach behind the wheel. The manufacturer also promises faster shifts in Sport or Race modes (40 and 50 percent snappier respectively).
But what about the engine? Well, the 220 in the name reflects the boost in power compared to the regular RS 200. The 1.6-liter turbocharged unit now gets 220 PS, 260 Nm (+20 Nm) in the first three gears and 280 Nm temporary overboost (+40 Nm) from fourth upward.
Suspension is also retuned, featuring 20 mm lower springs at the front and 10 mm lower as well as 40 percent stiffer ones at the rear. This is said to improve handling and promote some controllable oversteer, in the spirit of the friskier Megane RS which is known to easily yet controllably let go at the back; it along with the latest Ford Focus ST almost feel rear-wheel driven in that respect.
The RS 220 Trophy is also said to be some 36 seconds quicker around the Nurburgring Nordschleife compared to the RS 200, posting a claimed time of 8:32. The result was achieved during a comparative test carried out at the fabled track by Sport Auto.
The performance monitor it comes with, known as R.S. Monitor, has also been improved, and it can now be paired up with a new specially designed t-shirt by Sensoria which not only monitors driver vitals but also provides haptic feedback; it’s detailed in the video posted here.