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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Still prefer the looks of the KTM X-Bow
How about a simple NO
Not bad, but can’t really consider as hardcore, and it’s too heavy.
Till you saw the Lotus 340R and 2Eleven.
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.
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
it only has 5 speed and no reverse gear?
Damn, the design still look contemporary although has been around for almost 20 years!
Nice n simple
i remember seeing it on some dealer website going for a rather cheap price
I can definitely see how super practical this car is in our country … NOT !
Still, damn sexy looking.
good for track day or up to genting race
is this car the the old Spider JLO? (aka the Sport Spider with the J 10 number plate)
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.
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.
Yes Pete, this is nice car to have here in KL. Too bad about LEM though.