When you think of collectable motors worth almost £100,000, you’re most likely to consider modern-classic Ferraris, luxurious Aston Martins and racy Jaguars.
But the latest car auction world record has just been set for a Renault Clio – though no ordinary version.
This second-generation Clio V6, a two-seat hot-hatch version of the modest French supermini, has just been bought by a collector for a staggering £90,000, which is £17,000 more than the previous record price paid for one of these cars.
It’s price was boosted by its low mileage, added extras and a heritage that includes acting as safety car in the Clip Cup series, featuring on the hill climb at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and a best Clio V6 prize.
The unique performance car sold for the remarkable hammer price on Tuesday via online marketplace Collecting Cars.
The record-breaking Clio is one of the limited edition hot hatches built by Renault across two generations from 2001 to 2005.
Only 1,309 road-going examples of the second edition were made in total between 2003 and 2005.
What partly makes this example so valuable is that it has just over 17,000 miles on the clock – less than 1,000 miles per year since it was built – as well as a comprehensive service history, with the motor looked after exclusively by main dealers and Renault specialists.
And it will certainly standout in a glimmering garage collection, with this particular example finished in eye-popping ‘Acid Yellow’ – a paint option offered as a special i.d. (Individual Design) Metallic Pearlescent Illusion option and is exceptionally hard to find, with only eight right-hand drive examples in the hue out of 21 worldwide.
The body colour is complemented by a ‘Storm Grey’ leather upholstery as part of a ‘Complete Leather Pack’, which is also a rare option fitted to just 18 cars globally that cost £3,900 when it was new almost two decades ago.
This exclusive interior pack includes leather door card inserts, a leather engine cover, leather gaiters for the gear shifter and handbrake, a leather-covered steering wheel, and light grey Alcantara for the headlining and windscreen pillars.
Instead of having the engine in the front like the conventional Clio, these special edition hot hatches feature a mid-mounted 3.0-litre V6 petrol. This means it has no rear seats, with rear passenger access removed in order to slot the powerplant into the chassis.
The 255bhp of power generated by the engine is sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission.
Combined with a lightweight body, little in terms of electronic driving aids and not much bulk over the front axle – given there’s no longer an engine there – the Clio V6 was notoriously difficult to drive, meaning many were crashed, especially in wet and dicey conditions.
This car boasts an illustrious history, having been used as the safety car to support the 2005 Clio Cup series – a single-make championship for budding racing drivers.
In the same year, the Clio starred at the Goodwood Festival of Speed where it was piloted up the hill-climb route by former F1 driver Patrick Tambay.
It was also the outright winner of the ‘Best Clio V6’ prize at the 2016 Origine RS, which is the UK’s largest gathering of V6 Clios.
At launch, the Phase 2 Clio V6 was the most potent hot hatch available. With an extra 25bhp over its predecessor, it could sprint from 0-to-62mph in 5.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 153mph.
The second instalment of the car also had a longer wheelbase, wider front track, firmer suspension and the addition of stiffer subframes, new bump stops and longer trailing arms for improved handling.
Commenting on the record-breaking car, Edward Lovett, founder of Collecting Cars, said: ‘Low-mileage examples of the Clio V6 are becoming harder to find, and this particular car represented a likely unrepeatable combination of exceptionally rare colour, full leather interior, and excellent history.
‘It would be fair to say this result surpassed anyone’s expectations, which goes to show the power of auctions for collectible cars, because there is no limit to how high the bidding can go.’
Collecting Cars also holds the world record sale price for the Clio V6 Phase 1, which stands at £62,540.
The online auction platform also held the previous Phase 2 record at £73,000, set last year. That car had just 980 miles on the clock in total and is one of only 18 cars delivered to the UK in ‘Liquid Yellow’.
Keyword: That's a lot of money for a Renault Clio! Early 2000s hot hatch with just 17,000 miles on the clock sells for a world record £90,000