2005 Renault Clio V6 sells for record price in the UK

An online auction in Great Britain saw a well-kept 16-year-old Renault Clio V6 go for £73,000, setting a new all-time high for this model.

Renault produced two main modifications of the Clio V6. One of these came out 20 years ago and was equipped with a V6 mounted instead of the rear bench. The engine produced 230 PS (227 hp / 169 kW). Two years later, a Mk2 variant came out with slightly longer wheelbase, revised suspension and a boosted engine. Their respective production runs were limited to 1,555 and 1,309 units.

The 2005MY Clio V6 that went on sale was also a Mk2 vehicle. Its 2.9-liter naturally aspirated engine churns out 255 PS (251 hp / 188 kW) and 300 Nm (221 lb-ft) of torque. A six-speed manual transmission drives the rear axle, getting it from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.8 seconds. The top speed amounts to 245 km/h (152 mph). The car has two seats and weighs around 1.4 metric tons (slightly more than 3,000 lbs).

The auction attracted 59 bids. The high end price can be explained by the low mileage of the hot hatch (1,577 km / 980 miles) and its exclusive Liquid Yellow paintjob. Only 18 Mk2 units made for the UK were finished in that color.