AutoRAI 1999: the new cars

Porsche & Renault

The latest revision in the 911-series was introduced in 1996 and is accurately called the 996. In 1998 the model range was expanded with the Carrera 4 and the convertible called Cabrio (the closed top is called Coupé).
This Carrera 4 has a 3387 cc flat six boxer engine producing 300 hp @ 6800 rpm. It has four wheel drive with a visco coupling and a top speed of 280 kph. Acceleration from 0 to 100 kph in 5.2 seconds.

And this is the Cabrio version of the Carrera 4. With the hardtop on it looks even prettier than the Coupé. I'm not really a 911 type of person but if I had to choose, I'd choose the Cabrio (in Carrera 4 spec of course). Top down with the sun out it looks a lot more fun than the Coupé.

The car that should obliterate the Renault 5 Alpine Turbo from your memory: the new Clio V6 24V. Officially it's known as the Clio Renault Sport V6 24V and as Clio Renault Sport Trophy it will be raced in a special series that replaces the European Championship Renault Sport Spider in 1999.
Renault's one make series had its heyday in the early eighties with the Renault 5 Turbo cup, which was very noisy and spectacular. It was then succeeded by the Alpine Renault V6 Turbo cup and after the demise of that sportscar by the Renault Sport Spider series, which never caught on. Now Renault Sport wants to revive those golden days with this Clio.

It certainly looks the business. It has the V6 engine out of the Laguna placed central in the car in front of the rear axle, just like in the Renault 5 Turbo. The engine has a 3 litre displacement and produces 250 hp, top speed is about 270 kph. The car only seats two and is named a 'Grand Tourisme' by the factory.

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