Renault Clio Sport V6 24v

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Bonkers is probably as good a word to use as any when describing the Clio Sport V6 24v. Its prosaic name rather understates the reality, for this is one single minded road rocket.

Renault were definitely on something the day they pressed the button to go ahead with this one, but thank goodness they did. It is barely worth mentioning the basis for this monster, the humble Clio, as so few parts carry over from the original. The most obvious difference is the relocation of the power unit to where the back seat should be; and what a power unit they chose. Sourced from the PSA stable, they picked the tough 60 degree 3.0 litre V6 which pumped out 227bhp in its modified form.

This of course drove through the rear wheels, ensuring that the whole architecture of the car from the doors backwards had to change. It’s a big lump, and space was made at the expense of luggage capacity - or rear seats for that matter, the whole installation being a particularly tight fit in the back. With no engine up front, Renault had to completely re-engineer that part of the car too, including suspension, steering and a special luggage area to account for a toothbrush and overnight bag.

This example is one of the original first series cars which were engineered and built by TWR (Tom Walkinshaw Racing), the later second series reverting to the parent company's native France for manufacture. Performance was vivid, with 60mph coming up in just 6.2 seconds and onto a top speed of 146mph. What impresses most, however, is the way the car feels on the road, the prodigious torque providing electrifying acceleration in any gear from virtually any revs, something a small capacity engine can never equal.

A one-owner car, it was purchased new in June 2002 by a Renault specialist in Exmouth and has been fully maintained by him since. It has covered 54,600 miles and had a full service, a new cam belt and new rear tyres less than 700 miles ago. Supplied with a good history file, a spare set of keys and a Renault UK Premier Security System, it is said to drive as a V6 should with an MOT until February 2016.

Only 256 Phase 1 Clio V6 models were ever sold in the UK and just 143 are still registered here according to DVLA figures. No wonder Octane magazine included the Clio V6 in their feature 'The Greatest Classics to Buy and Own' in April this year, saying: "Expect passers-by to stop and stare: the V6 looks like nothing else on the road, its wide hips and less-than-subtle bodykit attracting serious attention. As an exercise in building something crazy, it's unlikely to be repeated any time soon." 

Capable of making very rapid progress and with a sound-track to die for, this well-maintained one-owner example ticks all the right boxes and is a sure-fire collector's car of the future. In the meantime it is guaranteed to have its new owner grinning from ear to ear every time they press the loud pedal, the MAD number plate summing up its originators' state of mind when they dreamt up the concept!