Renault is unlikely to revive its iconic hot hatch lineup, such as the Clio RS, due to increasingly strict emissions regulations and the company’s shift toward electric vehicles. The situation is not due to a lack of passion within the company, but rather an economic reality: high-performance gasoline cars no longer fit into the modern automotive landscape.
The Turbo 3E: A Distant Dream for Enthusiasts
The upcoming Renault Turbo 3E, an electric super-hatch with 533bhp and rear-wheel drive, represents the closest petrolheads will get to a high-performance Renault model. However, at an estimated £135,000, it’s a far cry from the affordable, attainable hot hatches that defined the Renaultsport brand in the past.
The Decline of Affordable Performance
Bruno Vanel, Renault’s head of product, explained that the heyday of Renaultsport is over. He recalled a time when the UK market accounted for 8,000 Renaultsport sales out of 90,000 Clios annually. Today, stringent CO2 emission fines and resource allocation towards EVs and hybrids make a business case for a high-performance gasoline model impossible.
“What is a sporty car? If it’s not an EV then [what about] ICE? If you make it with a big ICE engine, with a huge capacity, then you are out of the game on CO2. So that’s why it doesn’t make sense.”
The Hybrid Dilemma
Even hybrid options are problematic for true performance enthusiasts. Vanel noted that hybrids struggle when the battery is depleted, making them more suited for grand touring than aggressive driving. The current Clio’s 1.8-liter hybrid with a dogbox transmission, while capable, cannot be easily upgraded into a legitimate RS model without violating emissions standards.
Internal Support, but No Project
Despite some internal advocates for Renaultsport’s return, including Vanel himself, the financial and regulatory hurdles are insurmountable. Ivan Segal, Renault’s global sales boss, acknowledged the existence of “defenders” within the company, but the business case simply does not exist given the current constraints.
The Future: Electric or Used
For now, hot hatch fans must settle for electric alternatives like the Alpine A290 (with up to 216bhp) or seek out used Renaultsport models. The era of affordable, high-performance gasoline Renaults has passed, and there are no immediate plans to revive the lineup.
The automotive industry is shifting rapidly. Renault, like other manufacturers, must prioritize compliance and profitability over nostalgia, even if it means disappointing its most passionate fans.
