Renault is considering putting its new 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the next-generation Clio R.S. This might not seem newsworthy to some, but consider this: the 1.8-liter turbo four is the same engine powering the Megane R.S. hot hatch and the Alpine A110. There are now reports that Renault is thinking about using a detuned version of the same engine on the smaller Clio R.S., leaving the potential to make it the most powerful Clio made to date.

This is a big deal if you’re into high-powered hatchbacks that are more powerful than they have any business being. Considering that this is for the next-generation version of the Clio R.S., Renault’s thinking of making a huge statement with the hot hatch, and there’s no reason it shouldn’t.

According to Caradisiac, the groundwork is now being laid out to squeeze the 1.8-liter turbo four engine inside the next-gen Clio R.S. The idea behind it seems to revolve around the notion that the engine will have the potential to offer more power. It’s already being used on the Megane R.S. with 280 horsepower on tap. The Trophy version of the Megane, which is due at the end of the year, will also use the same engine, tuned to produce 300 horsepower. Those who are familiar with the mill will also recognize it powering the A110 with 250 horsepower on tap.

The report indicates that Renault’s plan is to fit a detuned version of the engine into next-gen Clio R.S., producing up to 225 horsepower. That’s a big jump from the previous-generation Clio R.S., which featured a smaller, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that topped out at 217 horsepower for the range-topping Trophy version. The standard Clio R.S. had 197 ponies to play with, a lot lower than what the French automaker is reportedly planning for its successor.

If this ends up happening, the next-generation Clio would immediately become a subcompact to watch out for. Having a bigger engine at its disposal isn’t just about giving it more power from the start; it’s also about opening the door for a more powerful next-generation R.S. Trophy version that could wipe out its segment without even breaking a sweat.

Unfortunately, the new Clio R.S. isn’t arriving anytime soon. The next-generation Clio is expected to make its debut at the 2018 Paris Motor Show this October. Hopefully, we’ll know a lot more about Renault’s plans for its subcompact superhero by then.

References

Read our full review on the 2018 Renault Clio R.S.

Read our full review on the 2018 Renault Megane R.S.

Read our full review on the 2017 Alpine A110.

Read more Renault news.