1999 - Espera Pontarlier

Clio coupé - 1999

Lowering the roof of a production vehicle to accentuate its aggressive character is common practice in the US custom scene. The top chop, as it's called, requires a great deal of expertise. Once the car has been "planed", none of the body parts (especially the windows) fit. Everything has to be rebuilt. This was the challenge taken up by the students from Espera Pontarlier.

Low-slung roof, 17-inch wheels, wide fenders, and yet it's still a Clio.

Project brief

The project originated with Yves Legal and Jean-Marie Souquet, Renault's design managers. It was an official project, approved by Renault. The idea was to virtually complete the Clio range, by creating a sporty version that was less radical than the Clio V6. Among the constraints imposed, the project had to remain recognizable as a Clio, in particular by retaining the characteristic rear "bubble" of the production model.
No, the photograph is not distorted. The work done by the Espera students is clearly visible (Dom'picture on Flikr).

Top chop

Under the direction of Franco Capaldi, a former student of Franco Sbarro, the roof was lowered by 7 centimetres (1.35 m vs. 1.42 m). The windscreen had to be tilted sharply backwards. The new glass roof ensures that the car is not too squashed. Length and wheelbase remain unchanged, but the Clio has been widened by 11 centimetres with fender extensions. 17-inch wheels accentuate the new body's streamlined appearance. The double exhaust tailpipe on the left rear accentuates the Clio coupé's aggressive side. The door handles have been removed.

Despite the steeply raked windshield, the lines of the standard Clio are maintained (photo by Dom'picture on Flikr).

Affordable sports car

The Espera students could have installed the Clio V6's six-cylinder engine. But the car had to remain suitable for everyday use, without blowing up the bill. So a 110-hp, 16-valve, 1.6-liter four-cylinder takes its place under the hood. The Clio remains a front-wheel-drive vehicle. Weight is moderate at 1050 kg.

The interior, of which I could find no photographs, has been modified. The center console stretches aft to form an armrest with storage compartment. The rear seats are of course less practical than on a standard Clio: the car has become a 2+2 seater.
In brief
1- Ordered by the Renault Design Center
2- Roof lowered by 7 cm
3- 110 hp engine
  • 16-valve in-line four-cylinder engine
  • Displacement 1600 cm3
  • 110 horsepower
  • width 1.75 m, height 1.35 m