The new 160 HP hybrid Clio falls short, Renault's secret pointing to the RS initials is revealed
The 160 HP of the new hybrid Clio is not enough for Renault. The brand's secret plan is unveiled in these spy photos of a very special Renault Clio that hints at the now-defunct RS initials. The French manufacturer has decided to push the limits of its improved hybrid technology.
The Renault Clio is an institution in the competitive subcompact market. With 35 years of history and more than 17 million units sold worldwide, it is one of the most important vehicles of the Renault brand of all time. A model that has recently launched its sixth generation. The debut of the new Renault Clio 2026 has generated a lot of excitement. And rightly so. With this novelty, the French manufacturer clears any doubts and reaffirms its commitment to affordable thermal cars.
Beyond the radical change in exterior design or the improvement of technological equipment, much of the attention is focused on the mechanical aspect of the new Clio. The brand has chosen to simplify the offer by reducing it to three engine options. A purely thermal gasoline version with 115 HP, a bifuel LPG version with 120 HP, and topping the range, an improved self-recharging hybrid (HEV) variant with 160 HP.
Renault pushes the new hybrid Clio to its limits
Achieving 0 to 100 in 8.3 seconds thanks to those 160 HP should be enough for a B-segment subcompact. However, everything indicates that the new hybrid Clio is falling short for Renault. This is demonstrated by the sighting that occurred in broad daylight on roads in southern Europe. The brand was caught conducting some very interesting yet puzzling tests with the new Renault Clio E-Tech Full Hybrid.
Our spy photographers have caught a prototype of the new hybrid Clio sporting a large amount of camouflage. At first glance, it may seem like just additional development tests prior to the arrival of this model at dealerships. However, this test unit hides a secret plan from Renault to push the new 160 HP Clio to its limits.
Internal sources have confirmed to us that the Horse specialists have been conducting tests to "unleash a few more horses," refueling with 98 octane gasoline. The goal set by the company is none other than to increase the power of this engine to 200 HP, where this fuel delivers its best performance. Let’s remember that the HEV hybrid engine equipped in the new Clio combines a 1.8-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with two electric motors. An engine developed by Horse Powertrain.
The return of the RS initials to the Renault range
These tests that Renault is trying to carry out in secret fuel the idea of a possible return of the RS initials. Just a few weeks ago, information emerged that opened the door to the return of the Renault Sport division in light of Alpine's collapse in Formula 1. And let’s remember that there was a Renault Clio RS in the past.
It is too early to speculate whether we will actually see a 200 HP hybrid engine in the new Clio range and, even more so, if this hypothetical engine will come accompanied by the RS initials. In any case, the fact that Renault is conducting this type of tests is already quite revealing.