Renaultsport Clio (2012) surprises Goodwood

Renault surprised festivalgoers at Goodwood over the weekend when it sent the new 2013 Renaultsport Clio up the hill.

The prototype hot Clio appeared twice at the Festival of Speed, driven by chief operating officer Carlos Tavares.

The go-faster Clio was still wearing its prototype disguise when it went up the hill late on Friday and Saturday, as the crowds were thinning.

Renault will show the new fourth-generation Clio this week, but the Renaultsport hot hatch won't be shown until later in the year.

As previously reported, CAR understands the new Clio RS will be powered by a smaller capacity 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, turbocharged to produce around 200bhp.

Peel away that disguise, and you can see a good dollop of Renault Dezir concept car. The new grille, lamps and diamond badge, in particular, pay homage to the Dezir at the front, while the rear keeps the twin exhausts and diffuser fr

By Tim Pollard