In the fall of 1978, the anticipation for the Paris Auto Show was building, as the long awaited BMW M1 was to be announced there. However, it was Renault Sport which stole the show, as the R5 Turbo was unexpectedly introduced to the world. It was the solution for the manufacture to base their competition car with their volume seller, yet giving the optimum technology, i.e.highly tuned engine mounted in the middle.

Twenty years later, it is deja vu...

Just announced at Paris Auto Show, Renault Sport is back recapturing the sprit of the R5 Turbo. The concept is almost identical, as it is the two-seater with highly tuned engine mounted in the middle.

However, this time the Clio Renault Sport features the normally aspirated 3-litre V6. Based on the V6 engine from the Laguna saloon, Renault Sport tuned to (rather moderate, was my reaction) 250 hp in the street version, and 280 hp in the racing version.

The current plan is to introduce this car in the racing seris sometimes in 1999. However, the Spider Cup UK will not be replaced by the Clio Trophy in 1999. It is most likely that the new racing series will start in the year 2000.