Renault had plenty of reason to celebrate the Dieppe-tuned Clio 200 back in 2011. It didn't pick up the baton from the 197 so much as it snatched it and ran, returning Renault Sport to the head of the hot supermini class with peppy F4R power and pointy handling. In the 200's final months, Dieppe produced a kitchen sink-spec, limited-run final variant that cost £21,695, making it the first plus-£20k Clio since the V6. Just 50 made it to Britain.
So what did you get aside from matte paintwork and rarity? Well, for starters there was the standard-fit Cup chassis which, for the first time in a naturally aspirated Clio, came with 18-inch Interlagos wheels wrapped in Bridgestone RE 050A tyres. The boots were the same as those used on the Mégane Renaultsport 265 Trophy, and came in place of the 200's usual 17s and Continentals. It meant the Raider was the only variant to get a bespoke setup.
Its look was also unique, albeit via a few details rather than anything substantial. The Raider's matte paint was offered in either Stealth Grey or Diavolo Red, while the rear spoiler, front blade and rear diffuser were all gloss black, as were the mirror caps. You also got tinted rear and side windows, a Raider badge and inside, Recaros front seats, climate control and mats all came on top of the already pretty generous kit list. RS Clios were never short of electronics.
Ultimately, though, all of that extra stuff only sweetened what was already the best show in town, the pre-turbo 200's brilliant handling undiminished by the Raider's bigger wheels and extra kit. The car's steering was a smidge heavier thanks to the thinner, stiffer tyre sidewalls of the 18s, but you got a smidge more feedback and grip with it, and only a slightly stiffer ride at slow speed to live with.
At pace though, the Raider was the same old revelation, and its combination of 7,100rpm fizz and incisive, dialled-in chassis will not have tapered one bit (for the simple fact that it arguably remains the benchmark compact hot hatch a decade later). You don't need us to recount the plaudits; suffice it to say it's up there in the heavens with the DC2 Integra and the aforementioned Megane in the front-drive hero stakes. A fact highlighted by the popularity plunge of its follow-up, which only managed to be decent when we were expecting another B road deity.
As such, it's hard to disagree with the seller's claims for genuine collectability. Particularly as this Raider has only 9,075 miles on the clock and enjoyed the pleasure of just one owner. An extensive service history is topped by a just-replaced timing belt kit and water pump, a job that normally costs north of £600. There are a few blemishes, of course - including stone chips on the windscreen and front bumper, as well as a scratch on rear bumper and near side rear wheel - but other than that, it's said to be spotless. £14k certainly isn't cheap (you can get decent 200s for half that) but considering the specification, condition and mileage, and the Raider's place in history, it feels custom-made for the right sort of Renault Sport fan.
SPECIFICATION | RENAULT SPORT CLIO 200 RAIDER
Engine: 1,998cc, four-cylinder
Transmission: six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 200@7,100rpm
Torque (lb ft): 159@5,400rpm
MPG: 34.4 (NEDC combined)
CO2: 195g/km
Recorded mileage: 9,075 miles
Year registered: 2011
Price new: £21,685
Price now: £13,995
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