GALLERY: Rare Renault Sport Spider spotted in town

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At the recent launch of the Renault Megane RS 265, we spotted an interesting guest, the rare Renault Sport Spider from the 1990s. Think a Lotus Elise is uncompromising and hardcore? Read on.

Unveiled at the 1995 Geneva Motor Show, the Spider was produced the following year at the Alpine plant in Dieppe, France. It had no power steering, ABS or heating, and didn’t come with a roof (yes, not even a fabric top!) and windshield. The lack of a screen (added to later models, like the one you see here) meant that helmets were necessary. The two-seat cabin is as spartan as they come, too.

The Spider was powered by a rear transversely mounted 2.0 litre F7R engine from the Renault Clio Williams hot hatch, producing 150 horses. Doesn’t sound like much, but this was before the era of 200 hp hot hatches, and the Spider weighed just 930 kg, thanks to an aluminium chassis and plastic composite body panels.

A total 1,726 Renault Spiders were produced from 1996 to 1999, of which 80 units were 180 hp Spider Trophy one-make race cars. Very cool, until it rains that is!

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • Petrolhead on Feb 05, 2013 at 4:55 pm

    Still prefer the looks of the KTM X-Bow

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 6
  • blackbox on Feb 05, 2013 at 4:56 pm

    Not bad, but can’t really consider as hardcore, and it’s too heavy.
    Till you saw the Lotus 340R and 2Eleven.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
    • alldisc™ on Feb 06, 2013 at 9:26 am

      remember, this was something of almost 20 years ago. at a time when

      Renault even had a race series with this Spyder, but initially they promoted the one in yellow/silver colour scheme instead of this red/silver.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
      • alldisc™ on Feb 06, 2013 at 9:33 am

        oopss, red/grey.

        remember Lotus Elise was launched at about the same time using the same formula – light body for that superb power to weight ratio.

        remember also, in the mid 90s most 2.0 litre EFI engines produces between 120-130hp. not many with 150hp except for maybe Mitsubishi’s 4G63 DOHC, or ALfa Romeo’s 2.0 twin spark using Fiat’s block(in 146ti/145 QV). or BMW’s 6 in-line M50B20/5B20

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • ben yap on Feb 05, 2013 at 5:03 pm

    it only has 5 speed and no reverse gear?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Dr Cooper on Feb 05, 2013 at 5:32 pm

    Damn, the design still look contemporary although has been around for almost 20 years!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Nice n simple

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • PauKaya on Feb 05, 2013 at 5:57 pm

    i remember seeing it on some dealer website going for a rather cheap price

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • I can definitely see how super practical this car is in our country … NOT !

    Still, damn sexy looking.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • einstein on Feb 06, 2013 at 8:06 am

    good for track day or up to genting race

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • donno on Feb 06, 2013 at 3:46 pm

    is this car the the old Spider JLO? (aka the Sport Spider with the J 10 number plate)

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • kadajawi on Feb 06, 2013 at 8:11 pm

    Yup, seen a couple of these at a Renault event. Really nice, some didn’t have the windscreen. Just a small spoiler of sorts. Looks best in yellow/silver.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Peter on Feb 07, 2013 at 2:05 pm

    Yes it’s a unique car and i am very lucky to have one in KL, it’s bit of a strange car for me as i worked for Lotus engineering Malaysia for 10 years (LEM) well that was until Highcom shut us down.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Grant on Feb 23, 2013 at 11:39 pm

      Yes Pete, this is nice car to have here in KL. Too bad about LEM though.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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