RenaultSport Clio 182 Trophy
The iconic hot hatch
One model, one colour, 550 cars. The Weekender exists because of this car, so it is worth explaining what makes it worth driving the length of Wales for.
At a glance
- Built
- 550 in total
- Sold
- 500 UK, 50 Switzerland
- Colour
- Capsicum Red, code 727
- Identified by
- A numbered seat plaque
But it's a Clio!
Ok, so it's a Clio. We get that. And we understand that the majority of people who gaze over the Renaultsport Clio 182 Trophy's Capsicum Red paintwork will not even give it a second look. After all, it's just another reasonably sporty-looking Clio much like any other that wears the Renaultsport 172 or 182 title, right? So why is it held in such high regard, and why is it described as a modern day classic?
To judge the Trophy on looks alone is to do it a disservice. The real beauty of this car, and the potential enjoyment it can deliver, lies deep beneath the red paintwork. It's in the way it drives and the way it handles, the 'chuckability' and the sheer fun you can have whilst hustling along your favourite B-roads. It's these very reasons why the Trophy is held in such high regard, and why this little French hot hatch is so highly sought after.
Second opinion
The expert opinion
But is it really that good? Perhaps the views of a certain Harry Metcalfe may persuade you. Harry formed and ran the specialist motoring magazine many will know as EVO, suitably taglined "The Thrill of Driving". He no longer runs it, but he remains very much involved in the specialist motoring world and has an impressive collection of his own. Nestled among the rare and expensive machinery sits a Capsicum Red Clio.
Harry Metcalfe on the Renaultsport Clio 182 TrophyWatch on YouTube(opens in a new tab)Still not convinced? Then let's take a closer look at what makes this special little car tick.
Any colour, as long as it's red
Whilst similar in looks to other RenaultSport Clios of its age, the Trophy is very much a limited edition model. Only 550 were produced — 500 for the UK and 50 for Switzerland — and all of them wore the Capsicum Red paintwork. Had Renault France had more faith in the 182 Trophy there may well have been a fair few more rolling off the production line. As it turned out, they decided there was not a sufficient market for it and chose against producing models for release within their own territory.
Whilst that may have been a mistake on the part of Renault's marketing department, it was a decision that Trophy owners no doubt welcomed, helping to maintain the exclusivity and the feeling that they had something genuinely special parked on the driveway. In addition to the red paintwork (designation '727') the sideskirts were adorned with a lacquered 'Trophy' decal, should you ever wonder what it was you were looking at. The differences did not end there, though, and a few choice additions really helped the car stand out from the pack.
Trick dampers?
Perhaps the most notable of all the additions are the "trick" Sachs Race Engineering dampers. These have a remote reservoir and allow a stiffer, thicker damper rod to be used. But such desirable items come with associated costs. There will come a time when the dampers need rebuilding and, currently, only a few places offer the service. It pays to look around come rebuild time, as there may be better options available thanks to the generous nature and engineering expertise of existing owners within the community.
You could always buy new, but at over £3,000 for the pair it was never much of an option — and it is no longer an option at all, as the Sachs dampers are no longer available. Now and again a set appears for sale online, though they are usually snapped up quickly. Second-hand sets often require a rebuild, which can cost anywhere from £500 to £1,400 depending on who does the work and what it needs.
Are you sitting comfortably?
Whilst the 182 Trophy is never going to win awards for creature comforts or interior luxury, it does come equipped as standard with Recaro Trendline seats. On the base of the seat sits a plaque showing the unique number of the vehicle — and that plaque is the only known way by which a Trophy can be positively identified. A minor gripe is that the seats are perhaps a little too high, leaving the driver sat higher than ideal behind the wheel.
Some Trophys no longer have their original Recaro Trendlines, having been sold on over the years. As with the Sachs dampers, they are highly desirable items that help set the Trophy apart from the rest of the RenaultSport Clio Mk2 range, so most owners choose to retain them for originality and residual value — or to hunt down a set if their own car has lost them.
Alloy there, spoiler alert!
The other additions are more subtle. The Trophy wears Speedline Turini alloy wheels, which save roughly 1.3kg per corner and carry a slightly different offset to those found on the Clio 172 Cup. The front hubs are uprated items too, and the front suspension sits 10mm lower.
Looking higher and towards the rear, the Trophy wears a spoiler that can also be found on the bonkers Clio V6 255. It gives a nice, subtle finish to the overall look, but comes with a drawback. Be prepared for cursing and a sore head, as the spoiler restricts how far the boot can open — the tailgate tends to hover at roughly forehead height as you lean in towards the boot space. You have been warned.
Owners' register
Go and drive one
As owners and enthusiasts we could write paragraphs on how good this car is. Far better that you grab some time behind the wheel of one. It's fun, it's addictive, and you will quickly understand why so many motoring journalists rate the humble 182 Trophy as one of the best hot hatches ever produced.
Every Trophy carries its own number on the base of the seat. TrophyTracker is an owners' register that follows the surviving cars.
Visit TrophyTracker(opens in a new tab)