Renault has become the second manufacturer to join the FIA Rally3 category, which was created when the M-Sport created Ford Fiesta contender was homologated for a debut in 2021.
Group Rally3 was devised as means to provide an entry-level four-wheel-drive rally car. With the introduction of Rally3 existing two-wheel-drive R3 cars were reclassified to RC4. Homologated Rally3 cars can be used in World Rally Championship and regional championship events while many national rallying competitions also allow them to compete.
Renault showed renewed commitment to rallying by starting testing its planned Rally3 Clio in May 2022. Following a 5000 km development programme the car was unveiled in January 2023, then attained its homologation in late April. It was used by a number of competitors in May, including on the Rally Targa Florio and the Rallye Antibes.
The front engined, as standard front-wheel-drive car has been transformed jointly by the technical teams at Viry-Châtillon - Renault’s Formula One engine base - the Manufacture Alpine Dieppe Jean Rédélé and the Alpine Formula One Team's Enstone factory. We are told that Castrol, a long-standing partner of Renault's customer racing programmes, “played a crucial development role with the car to optimise engine and transmission lubrication, which is particularly important for a four-wheel drive car”.
The Clio Rally3 is powered by a direct injected 1.3-litre 16-valve I4 turbo. This 1330cc Renault HR13, breathing through a mandatory 31 mm intake air, as homologated develops 260 bhp and 415 Nm of torque. Maximum rpm is 7400 rpm. It is run by a Life Racing engine management system. The Rally3’s four wheel drive transmission incorporates a Sadev ST4-82, five-speed sequential gearbox, a Sachs dual disc clutch and front and rear ZF limited slip differentials.
Renault notes that the late April homologation paved the way for the first deliveries of a model that had already attracted more than forty customers.The Clio Rally3 is assembled by the Manufacture Alpine Dieppe Jean Rédélé. It is available in tarmac and gravel versions priced at €122,000 (excluding VAT).