Renault Clio 5 Cup (GR Cup)
The Renault Clio 5 Cup is a lively French one-make hatchback racer built for close, affordable touring car action. Based on the fifth-generation Clio Cup formula, it strips the road car down for circuit duty with a race-prepped chassis, slick aerodynamics, and a punchy naturally aspirated engine up front.
Key Specs (BoP-dependent, typical sim values)
Powertrain: 1.3L turbocharged inline-4 (front-mounted, transverse)
Total Output: ~220 hp (162 kW)
Redline: ~6,500–7,000 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed sequential
Weight: ~1,000 kg
Dimensions: ~4,050 mm long × 1,800 mm wide × 1,440 mm tall | Wheelbase ~2,590 mm
Tires: Slick racing tires on lightweight alloy wheels
Brakes: Ventilated disc brakes with race calipers
Layout: Front-engine, front-wheel drive
In the Simulator Feel
The Clio 5 Cup is a nimble, momentum-based front-wheel-drive racer that rewards tidy inputs and smooth corner speed. It’s not about huge horsepower — it’s about braking late, rotating the car on entry, and keeping the engine in its sweet spot so you can launch hard out of slower corners. That makes it a great training tool for racecraft, consistency, and managing weight transfer.
Engine & Sound: The turbocharged four-cylinder has a crisp, urgent note with a bit of induction snarl and a muted turbo whistle. It builds power cleanly through the midrange rather than hitting with a dramatic top-end surge, so the best laps come from staying disciplined and keeping revs in the meat of the torque curve.
Handling Characteristics:
Cornering: Quick turn-in with solid initial bite, but it will push wide if you ask for too much throttle too early.
Traction: Excellent front-end drive off slower corners, though wheelspin and understeer can show up if you’re rough with throttle application.
Braking: Strong and confidence-inspiring, with enough stability to trail brake into rotation.
Top Speed: Respectable rather than dramatic; it shines more on technical circuits than long straights.
Driving Style Tip: Drive it like a scalpel, not a muscle car. Smooth steering, patient throttle, and early commitment to corner exit are the keys to extracting lap time. It excels on tight, flowing tracks where momentum matters more than raw power.
Livery & Aesthetics: The Clio 5 Cup has the clean, compact look of a modern one-make racer — wide stance, subtle aero, and bold racing graphics that make it instantly recognizable on track. The cockpit is stripped back and purposeful, with all the essentials close at hand for sprint-race intensity.
Whether you’re learning front-wheel-drive technique or battling door-to-door in a tight pack, the Renault Clio 5 Cup delivers a fun, accessible, and surprisingly technical sim racing experience.