A Renault Clio hot hatch has just sold for a world record £90,000

When you think of collectable motors worth close to £100,000, you’re most likely to consider the likes of classic Ferraris, Aston Martins and Jaguar.

But the latest world record has just been set for a Renault Clio – though not just any standard versions.

The second-generation Clio V6, a two-seat hot-hatch version of the modest French supermini, has just been bought by a collector for a staggering £90,000, which is £17,000 more than the previous record price paid for one of these cars.

How much for a Renault Clio? This 2004 example with 17,000 miles on the clock has just been bought for a new world record of £90,000

The unique performance car sold for the remarkable auction hammer price on Tuesday through online marketplace Collecting Cars.

The record-breaking Clio is one of the limited edition hot hatches built by Renault across two generations from 2001 to 2005. 

Only 1,309 production examples of the second edition were made in total between 2003 and 2005. 

What partly makes this example so valuable is that it has just over 17,000 miles on the clock – less than 1,000 miles per year since it was built – as well as a comprehensive service history, with the motor looked after exclusively by main dealers and Renault specialists. 

It will certainly standout in a glimmering garage collection, with this particular example finished in eye-popping ‘Acid Yellow’ – a paint option offered as a special i.d. (Individual Design) Metallic Pearlescent Illusion option and is exceptionally hard to find, with only eight right-hand drive examples in the hue out of 21 worldwide.

This is no ordinary Renault Clio, though. It is a second-generation version of the Clio V6, a two-seat hot-hatch built in limited numbers by the French brand

The unique performance car sold for the remarkable auction hammer price on Tuesday through online marketplace Collecting Cars

The car features a ‘Complete Leather Pack’, which is a rare option fitted to just 18 cars globally that cost £3,900 when it was new some 18 years ago

The body colour is complemented by a ‘Storm Grey’ leather upholstery as part of a Complete Leather Pack, which is also a rare option fitted to just 18 cars globally that cost £3,900 when it was new some 18 years ago. 

The pack includes leather door card inserts, a leather engine cover, leather gaiters for the gear shifter and handbrake, a leather-covered steering wheel, and light grey Alcantara for the headlining and windscreen pillars.

Instead of having the engine in the front like the conventional Clio, these special edition hot hatches feature a mid-mounted 3.0-litre V6 petrol. This means it has no rear seats, so the powerplant can be slotted into the car.

The 255bhp of power generate by the engine is sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission.

Combined with a lightweight body, little in terms of electronic driving aids and not much bulk over the front axle – given there’s no longer an engine there – the Clio V6 was notoriously difficult to drive, meaning many were crashed, especially in wet and dicey conditions.  

The record-breaking Clio is one of the limited edition hot hatches built across two generations from 2001 to 2005. Only 1,309 production examples of the second edition were made

What partly makes this example so valuable is that it has just over 17,000 miles on the clock – less than 1,000 miles per year since it was built

Instead of having the engine in the front like the conventional Clio, these special edition hot hatches feature a mid-mounted 3.0-litre V6 petrol. This means it has no rear seats, so the powerplant can be slotted into the car

This car boasts an illustrious history, having been used as the safety car to support the 2005 Clio Cup series – a single-make championship for budding racing drivers. 

In the same year, the Clio starred at the Goodwood Festival of Speed where it was piloted up the hill-climb route by former F1 driver Patrick Tambay. 

It was also the outright winner of the ‘Best Clio V6’ prize at the 2016 Origine RS (UK’s largest gathering of V6 Clios).

At launch, the Phase 2 Clio V6 was the most potent hot hatch available. With an extra 25bhp over its predecessor, it could sprint from 0-to-62mph in 5.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 153mph. 

The later car also had a longer wheelbase, wider front track, firmer suspension and the addition of stiffer subframes, new bump stops and longer trailing arms for improved handling.

This particular example finished in eye-popping ‘Acid Yellow’ – a Metallic Pearlescent Illusion paint option that is exceptionally hard to find considering only 8 right-hand drive cars had it

The body colour is complemented by a ‘Storm Grey’ leather upholstery

Its lightweight construction and lack of weight over the front end made the Clio V6 notoriously difficult to drive, meaning many were crashed, especially in wet conditions

At launch, the Phase 2 Clio V6 was the most potent hot hatch on sale. With an extra 25bhp over its predecessor, it could sprint from 0-62mph in 5.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 153mph

Commenting on the record-breaking car, Edward Lovett, founder of Collecting Cars, said: ‘Low-mileage examples of the Clio V6 are becoming harder to find, and this particular car represented a likely unrepeatable combination of exceptionally rare colour, full leather interior, and excellent history. 

‘It would be fair to say this result surpassed anyone’s expectations, which goes to show the power of auctions for collectible cars, because there is no limit to how high the bidding can go.’

Collecting Cars also holds the world record sale price for the Clio V6 Phase 1, which stands at £62,540. 

The online auction platform also held the previous Phase 2 record at £73,000, set last year. That car had just 980 miles on the clock in total and is one of only 18 cars delivered to the UK in ‘Liquid Yellow’.

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