Renault Clio Rally3
Renault's first all-wheel drive rally car, debuting in 2023.
The Renault Clio Rally3 is a competition car built by Alpine Racing, formerly Renault Sport, to meet the FIA’s Group Rally3 rules. It shares its base with the Renault Clio road model and first appeared in 2023. This all-wheel drive vehicle fills the top spot in Renault’s Clio rally ladder, which already included Rally4 and Rally5 versions, and directly competes with M-Sport’s Ford Fiesta Rally3, the only other Rally3 car available.
Development of the Clio Rally3 was announced in 2022, with testing taking place in France that same year. The car was launched in the second half of 2023 and is allowed to enter the European Rally Championship, the World Rally Championship-3, and its junior category. It received official FIA homologation on 25 April 2023.
In competition, the Clio Rally3 made its World Rally Championship debut at the 2023 Rally Finland, driven by Markus Manninen. Its first appearance for WRC-3 points came at the 2023 Acropolis Rally with Efthimios Halkias. The car’s first win in the WRC-3 category was at the 2024 Rally Latvia, driven by Joosep Ralf Nõgene. Mattéo Chatillon then gave the car its second WRC-3 victory at the 2024 Central European Rally.
Quick Facts
- Car Name
- Renault Clio Rally3
- Category
- Rally3
- Constructor
- Alpine Racing
- Designer
- Yann Paranthoën
- Chassis
- Clio R.S. Line
- Front Suspension
- Pseudo McPherson
- Length
- 4,050 mm
- Height
- 1,400 mm
- Wheelbase
- 2,585 mm
- Track
- 1,520 mm
- Engine Name
- Renault HR13
- Capacity
- 1,330 cc
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Renault Clio Rally3 was revealed in 2022 and underwent testing in France that same year. It launched in the second half of 2023 and is eligible to compete in both the European Rally Championship and the World Rally Championship-3, as well as its junior category. The car passed FIA homologation on 25 April 2023.
The car made its World Rally Championship debut at the 2023 Rally Finland, driven by Markus Manninen. Its first appearance for World Rally Championship-3 points came at the 2023 Acropolis Rally, driven by Efthimios Halkias. The car's debut win in WRC3 was at the 2024 Rally Latvia, driven by Joosep Ralf Nõgene, and Mattéo Chatillon gave the car its second win in the category at the 2024 Central European Rally.
The Clio Rally3 is the direct rival to the Ford Fiesta Rally3 of M-Sport, which is the only other available Rally3 car for competition.
Reader's Guide
The Renault Clio Rally3 represents a significant step for Renault in the Rally3 category, being its first all-wheel drive competition car. By completing the Clio ladder with Rally4 and Rally5 variants, it offers a clear progression path for drivers within the Group Rally regulations. Its eligibility across the European Rally Championship, World Rally Championship-3, and junior categories broadens its competitive reach. As the direct rival to the Ford Fiesta Rally3 from M-Sport, it provides the only alternative in the Rally3 class, making it a key player in the category's development. The car's early competition history includes a debut at the 2023 Rally Finland and its first WRC3 victory at the 2024 Rally Latvia, followed by a second win at the 2024 Central European Rally, establishing its presence in the championship.
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