Renault Clio 2
Advice on buying the best.
Introduced in March 1998, the second-generation Renault Clio had a hard act to follow. The French manufacturer had a longstanding reputation for building chic and characterful superminis, with two generations of Renault 5 and the original Clio winning much praise for their driver appeal, packaging and stylish good looks.
The Clio 2 took the brand in a slightly different direction. It was longer, wider and heavier than its predecessor, yet it managed to pull it off with surprising elegance. Renault also experimented with new materials on the Clio 2 bodywork, with the front wings made out of reformable plastic to thwart rust and shrug off Parisian parking bumps, while sports and diesel models also came with an aluminium bonnet to reduce weight.
Initially, the engine line-up was carried over from the original Clio, with 1.2-, 1.4and 1.6-litre petrol units and a 1.9 diesel. Later in 1998, Renault pulled the wraps off the Clio Renault Sport 172, which had a 2.0-litre 16v engine developing 172PS (168bhp) – a terrific hot hatch with a strong enthusiast following. In early 2000, a more sporty Clio 16v appeared, with a new 1.6-litre engine.
Also in 2000, a few minor changes were made to the Clio range, which included revised specification levels, a new instrument cluster and passenger airbags fitted as standard for all models. This was enough to give the model a four-star Euro NCAP rating – the first supermini to achieve such an accolade.
A major facelift occurred in June 2001, known as the Phase 2. These cars came with much larger, angular headlights and a reprofiled tailgate, plus a vastly improved interior featuring softer plastics and a flatter dashboard. They were fitted with Renault’s new 67PS (65bhp) 1.5 dci common-rail diesel engine, while 1.2 models were offered with a Quickshift 5 automated manual gearbox (unless you really need two pedals, don’t bother – the shift quality is awful).
Another much more minor facelift came in early 2004, with a wider grille and lower front bumper, plus different fog lamps. Inside, there were new seat fabrics, while the dials were changed to replace the analogue fuel and water temperature needles with a screen that included a digital version of the gauges Clio Extreme 4 model added in 2004/5. as well as the mileage and trip computer. Under the bonnet, a new 100PS (97bhp) 1.5 dci engine was added to counter criticisms of the sluggish performance of the 67PS variant, while the 1.2 got a new 16v engine developed with Nissan, with whom Renault had joined forces in 2002.
At the same time, the Clio Renault Sport’s power was improved to 182PS (178bhp), with two options in chassis stiffness: standard and the more trackoriented CUP model.
A fourth and final upgrade appeared in 2006, to coincide with the launch of the new third-generation Clio to provide a cheaper, more utilitarian option for budget buyers. These had a restyled rear end, with the numberplate moved to the bumper, and brought back the ‘Campus’ name used on run-out models of the Clio 1 and Renault 5. Production for the UK ceased in late 2008, though some were still held in dealer stock until as late as mid-2009.
Where the Clio really scores as a supermini is in its driver appeal. Not only does it have superior handling, but it performs well even in 1.2-litre guise, with sharp steering and a brilliantly compliant ride, reminiscent of a much larger car. It’s an extremely popular choice for younger drivers and is still quite fashionable despite its advancing years.