Renault enters the galaxy of all-wheel drive. The diamond firm, which was the first to win a world title with Alpine in 1973, has just released its first vehicle for timed sections with four-wheel drive: Clio Rally 3. An ideal mechanic for pilots who do not want to pay the high price of a Rally 2, but they do not give up the advantages of 4×4 either.
The new Renault rally It incorporates a four-cylinder turbocharged engine that develops 260 horsepower. With a 5-speed Sadev sequential gearbox and its four-wheel drive, its price is 122,000 euros, half that of a Rally 2. It arrives with 5,000 kilometers of tests on all types of surfaces after the intense work carried out since the rehearsals began in April of last year.
And what better setting to present your new weapon than the Andorra Circuit, in Pas de la Casa, an ice and snow rink where the G-Series are held every winter, and who also visits the prestigious Andros Trophy. Located in high mountains, surrounded by ski slopes, it is a paradise for lovers of skidding and driving on slippery floors.
William deRidder, who was world Rallycross champion and has competed in rallies, but who is also an engineer for the Alpine Formula 1 team, is in charge of showing us behind the wheel the benefits of the new Clio. Despite a ‘dog’s’ day, with intense fog that made it even more difficult to glimpse the layout of the curves, The Frenchman grits his teeth and puts his foot down on the accelerator without hesitation, making him dance with almost perfect choreography. Then he gives us the wheel and sits on the right to suffer the test in his flesh.
And the truth is that the mechanics are surprisingly easy to drive even in such difficult circumstances. Equipped with studded tyres, it allows you to enjoy the Andorran circuit with good traction, although in some curve slipping is inevitable. The engine pushes, the sequential change helps enormously (it is activated without the need to step on the clutch), and the chassis, suspension, steering and brakes respond to the requirements with solvency. If in such conditions it complies, on asphalt and dirt it is sure to be even more effective.