2009 Renault Clio Sport 200 Cup

With just one keeper from new and delivery miles (less than 600, to be exact), this 2009 Renaultsport Clio 200 Cup is one time-capsule example. It was bought and registered in January 2010 and has since been dry stored. Ready for its new owner to collect and enjoy, the car has just had its service done. It also passed its latest MoT, more details on which can be found in the History Highlights section below. The vendor mentions that the mileage is mainly due to it being driven for its MoT tests in the past.

Understandably for a car that’s hardly done any mileage, the accompanying paperwork is minimal: the driver’s handbook, a receipt, the V5C certificate, and a few MoT certificates. As mentioned above, it’s been dry stored its entire life, which means it is nearly factory fresh both on the inside and outside. Use-related wear? None. Age-related marks? Negative.

The panache of its predecessors was such that even if the Clio 200 tried harder it wouldn’t have matched in terms of pure design alone. It was visible that with the Clio 197, the car had clearly become more mature in overall styling, and not much changed with the 200. But all that’s valid mainly in comparison with the earlier Clios. In isolation or when compared to modern rivals, the Clio 200 Cup doesn’t look out of place. Sure it’s not the sharpest design out there, but the drive more than makes up for that, say the experts.

This is an example dry stored for the last decade or so, and only driven for MoTs. That means it’s pretty much in the same shape as it’d have left the Renault dealer at the beginning of last decade. What’s quite visible in the photos is the paint quality, how fresh it actually is, and it without doubt represents the once-in-a-lifetime chance to own a hatchback like this. The badges, company stickers, etc. all are where you’d have seen on the car when it was new. There’s a tiny mark on the offside door sill, however.

Not many carmakers can be brave enough to offer a cabin like the Clio 200 Cup’s now. Because from the dashboard layout, seats, to the buttons and stalks, it’s pretty basic. The parts are shared with other lesser Renaults and even Dacias, so if you’re looking for a touchscreen or even ‘premium’ quality materials, you’d be left wanting more. Although, as a highly focussed hot hatchback, its appeal isn’t diminished even one bit by the cabin. The hard-wearing materials are likely to withstand years of use, even if the Clio 200 is used as a runabout. Also, let’s not forget that in comparison to the older-generation Clios, this boasted a more adjustable driving position, which absolutely matters more than anything else.

On this delivery mileage example, the lack of use is pretty prominent. No matter how hard one tries, it’s nearly impossible to find faults in this immaculate interior. From the mats to the headlining, seats to the dashboard plastics, it’s straight out of a time capsule. There’s some discolouration under the boot mat, but that’s the only deviation from its perfect condition.

The Renaultsport hot hatch was an evolution of the Clio 197. The Clio 200’s engine became more powerful than the car that precedes it. At 200 PS, it was only a little difference on paper, but experts note that this revved more. It was also more eager in the early gears. Operating the six-speed manual is fun, mention the reviews. The Cup chassis has improvements over both the Clio 197 Cup and the standard, non-Cup Clio 200.

Thanks to a recent cambelt change and overall service, it’s ready to be driven away and enjoyed by its new owner. 

This Renaultsport Clio 200 Cup was first registered in January 2010. It has since been dry stored and has only covered, as we keep reminding you, 599 miles. The car had a oil change service and cam-belt change in the last month by an Authorised Renault Dealership, with invoice on file for £875.96 and the latest MoT was cleared without any advisories. It’s valid till December 2022. The test previous to this was done in 2013, and as the attached paperwork suggests, it too was cleared without any issues.

Cars like the Renaultsport Clio 200 Cup are meant to be driven and enjoyed. This one deserves no different. Its first keeper had meticulously stored it, keeping it as-new for you, its next owner. As the frequency at which fun cars are launched continues to go down at an alarming rate, it’s great to see what is essentially a showroom-fresh example of a celebrated hot hatchback. There aren’t many around like this, and one can be sure there won’t be many in the future, either. And at an estimated £15,000 - £20,000, that sure is a peerless way to travel fast, back in time.

Viewing is always encouraged, within government guidelines of course. The car is located at our Abingdon headquarters; we are open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm and to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing to make an appointment. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’