Description
The Clio V6 was based on the Clio Mk II, though it shares very few parts with that car. The 3.0 60° V6 engine, sourced from the PSA group (ES9J, the same utilized in the Peugeot 406, 407 y 607, and the Citroen C 5) although the Laguna engine, PRV (Peugeot, Renault & Volvo) an earlier development 90° V based in a V8 that never was, was upgraded to around 230 PS (169 kW; 227 bhp) and placed in the middle of the vehicle where the more ordinary Clios have rear seats – making this car a two-seater hot hatch.
In order to accommodate the radical change from front-engine, front-wheel drive hatchback to mid-engine, rear-wheel drive two-seater quasi-coupé, the car had to be extensively reworked structurally, leading to the Phase 1 version being some 300 kg (660 lb) heavier than the sportiest “regular” Clio, the 172 Cup. Due to this, even though the V6 model had significantly more power, it was not remarkably faster in a straight line accelerating to legal road speeds than the 172 Cup – accelerating to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 6.2 seconds compared to the Cup’s 6.7 seconds – though its maximum speed was significantly higher (146 mph compared to 138 mph). The raw sound of the V6 engine just behind the driver and RWD made the driving experience very different to the normal front engined front wheel drive car.
Showing a mere 31,000 kilometres recorded, this excellent Clio V6 looks striking and drives very well. With the price of the older Maxi Turbos of the 1980s shooting through the roof, the Clio V6 is we believe a great buy for the smart collector.
