Fastest Renault Clio in Britain

author: FutureCar Staff    

The Renault Clio is a rare sight in the U.S., but in Europe, particularly the older 172 models, they are quite affordable. As a result, many people overseas are experimenting with different engines to create the fastest Clio possible. One notable contender is a man from the U.K. who decided to use a non-European engine for his project.

The RuskiWeldFab YouTube channel, based in the U.K., is determined to build the fastest Renault Clio 172 in the country. To achieve this, the owner replaced the original drivetrain with a Honda K24 inline-four cylinder engine with i-VTEC, commonly found in Honda vehicles like the Accord, Acura TL, CR-V, and Odyssey minivan. With some modifications, these small economy car engines can be transformed into powerful machines, and RuskiWeldFab made sure to optimize the K24 engine's potential by adding a Garrett G30-770 turbocharger and a GFB X50 wastegate for maximum horsepower output. The engine is controlled by a Haltech Elite system and paired with a Kotouc Racing Gearboxes MQ350 six-speed sequential transmission for precise shifts.

Although the current upgrades have given the Clio 500 horsepower, it still falls short of being the fastest Renault Clio in the British Isles. To achieve this, the owner decided to follow the advice of the late Colin Chapman and focus on "simplifying and adding lightness." This involved stripping out every body panel, exterior trim piece, and most of the interior, replacing them with ultra-light carbon Kevlar panels. With these modifications, the goal of having Britain's fastest Renault Clio 172 seems much more attainable.

FutureCar Staff