Renaultsport Clio 172 Cup | PH Auction Block
All Renaultsport Clios are great, really - but some shine even brighter than others
Every car collection needs at least one hot hatch of some kind in it. Doesn’t matter if the portfolio is 30 vehicles strong or a two-car garage, there has to be something small, practical, easygoing and exciting in there. They just suit too many situations to not be included. And they come little better than a Clio 172 Cup. You know that, we know that; the world knows that. But as the Renault rebirth continues apace - remember the Turbo 3E is on the way - so the classics must be looked upon even more fondly.
The raw stats of a Cup stunned in 2003, so they look even more startling these days. Taking 90kg out of an already svelte 172 was one thing (including the removal of the ABS), but then charging just £12,995 for it guaranteed attention. Even today, that’s only £23k - the Cup was the bargain of the early '00s, the ultimate giant killer. Because it was so light and so agile, nothing could keep up. And even if it could, such was the fun factor of the Clio that you wouldn’t want to swap anyway.
The popularity was enough that Cup Clios continued after the 172, but none were quite so extreme in their weight-saving measures or as outrageously affordable. As is often the case, original is best when it comes to stripped-out Renaultsports. When you hear someone say ‘Clio Cup’, it’s a Mondial Blue 172 on Speedline Turinis that comes to mind. It just is.
As with so many other cheap, fast, fun French cars, many a Cup has fallen by the wayside. It was inevitable, really. But it does make the survivors hugely covetable in a sanitised, safe new car world. This one is going under the PH hammer next week, and looks an absolute gem. The current owner has had it for six years, the mileage is really low, and the modifications are modest.
Indeed, now is as good a time as any - with such a nice example on offer - to remind ourselves what a perfect-looking little supermini the Clio II was. Not too big, not too small, not too dainty and not too aggressive - just the right kind of attitude for a wannabe tarmac rally car. Even for just 60,000 miles, this one has exceptional paintwork, plus all the right Cup badging and the original lightweight glass.
The upgrades are all the little things you’d probably do anyway, with an underbonnet brace, new springs, and a K-Tec exhaust to bring the 2.0-litre 16-valve to life. Just as importantly, the vital (as well as all-too-regular) cambelt and water pump change was done last August. These days any 172 Cup is of interest, just as has been the case since 2003, but opportunities to get one this good are surely only going to get rarer. What better time to relive a misspent youth than right now?
I know the car mags all gravitate towards the 182 Trophy, but the 172 Cup is the one to have in my view. It may not have the fancy dampers, but it was more extreme in many other ways, with all the effort gone to remove weight, and the fact it was built for the period Clio rally series. It's a proper little homologation tearaway in the mould of the Euro-spec 205 Rallye.
I keep thinking about buying another. I probably should before values get too silly.
I drove a 182 once and enjoyed how nimble it was but I could not get over how slow it felt compared to a K20 EP3/DC5.
I drove a 182 once and enjoyed how nimble it was but I could not get over how slow it felt compared to a K20 EP3/DC5.
Great if you are on your way up from a smaller hatch like a Saxo VTR, less so if you are used to 200 plus bhp turbo stuff.
Sure there is something to it, so many love them but I couldnt see what all the fuss was about, probably one you need to live with and acclimatise to.
I drove a 182 once and enjoyed how nimble it was but I could not get over how slow it felt compared to a K20 EP3/DC5.
Great if you are on your way up from a smaller hatch like a Saxo VTR, less so if you are used to 200 plus bhp turbo stuff.
Sure there is something to it, so many love them but I couldnt see what all the fuss was about, probably one you need to live with and acclimatise to.
Great cars though and they are still so cheap for what they offer. £3-£4K will grab you a decent one which is really very cheap compared with a lot of other modern classic hatches out there. Definitely buy one now if you want one before the appreciate. Look at GTI-6 prices. £2K before COVID, now at least £5K for even a semi decent one...
Now they are not so much. In fact some are more expensive than EP3 Type-R's on similar mileage which was never the case back in period. Id rather buy the later Clio 197 or an EP3 Civic Type-R really.
Now they are not so much. In fact some are more expensive than EP3 Type-R's on similar mileage which was never the case back in period. Id rather buy the later Clio 197 or an EP3 Civic Type-R really.
The 197 was a bit of a step back in many ways, wasn’t until the 200 that Renaultsport nailed that generation. Even then though you lose some of the joy of a really light and nimble car (by hot hatch standards).
I know the car mags all gravitate towards the 182 Trophy, but the 172 Cup is the one to have in my view. It may not have the fancy dampers, but it was more extreme in many other ways, with all the effort gone to remove weight, and the fact it was built for the period Clio rally series. It's a proper little homologation tearaway in the mould of the Euro-spec 205 Rallye.
I keep thinking about buying another. I probably should before values get too silly.
Any Clio 172/182 is such great value for money, so much fun.
Looks very clean though.
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