ERC-ready Clio Rally3 cleared for take-off… with a little help from F1!

It follows the completion of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile’s stringent homologation process, which is required before a car can be used in competition on FIA-level events.

Through the work of Renault’s technical teams at Viry-Châtillon, the Manufacture Alpine Dieppe Jean Rédélé and the BWT Alpine F1 Team's Enstone factory in the United Kingdom, the Clio Rally3 has undergone an intensive development programme since January. This has included 5000 kilometres of testing and an appearance as a zero car on the French Gravel Rally Championship opener recently.

According to Renault Customer Racing, the new model “aroused curiosity, enthusiasm and a strong interest among rally competitors, observers and fans. Three weeks after this maiden outing, the latest sporting version of the fifth-generation Renault Clio has completed its homologation procedures with the international motorsport governing body. Starting today, Clio Rally3 is eligible to contest a wide range of rallies, from local events to the World Rally Championship”.

Renault Customer Racing explained that the, “Clio Rally3 benefits from all the experience and know-how of the technical teams at Viry-Châtillon and Dieppe on a constant quest for efficiency, performance and reliability. Castrol, a long-standing partner of Renault's customer racing programmes, has played a crucial development role with the car to optimise engine and transmission lubrication, which is particularly important for a four-wheel drive car, as has the tyre manufacturer Michelin, a guarantee of proven performance”.

The communication from Renault Customer Racing continued: “Clio Rally3 is assembled by the Manufacture Alpine Dieppe Jean Rédélé and fitted with Sabelt bucket seats which meet the new FIA homologation (valid for 10 years) with six-point harnesses. 

“Powered by the four-cylinder 1.3-litre TCe 16-valve turbocharged direct injection engine, Clio Rally3 develops 260bhp and 415Nm of torque with a five-speed gearbox fitted with a limited-slip differential. On the outside, the aerodynamics have benefited from numerous synergies within Renault Group as Viry-Châtillon was able to draw on the expertise and computing resources of the BWT Alpine F1 Team in Enstone to design Clio Rally3's rear wing.

This homologation also paves the way for the first deliveries of a model that has already attracted more than 40 customers and its competition debut to follow the winning trajectory of Clio Rally5 and Clio Rally4, references in the world of front-wheel drive since their respective launches in 2020 and 2021.”

Clio Rally3 is designed for private teams and drivers and is now available to order from the Manufacture Alpine Dieppe Jean Rédélé. The Tarmac and gravel versions of the car are priced at €122,000 (excluding VAT), including French registration, with the car assembled and painted.

Renault’s Clio Rally3 will rival M-Sport Poland’s Ford Fiesta Rally3 in the sub-Rally2 category.

Meanwhile, Rally Islas Canarias hosts round two of the ERC season from 4 - 6 May.