Perfectly petite
The new Renault Clio has a lot of ooh la la!
IT’S hard to believe but the Renault Clio has been around for 30 years this year, and in that time it tied with the Volkswagen Golf as the only car to win European Car of the Year twice, in 1991 and 2006.
This new model is the fifth generation of the Clio, and it looks sharper than before, albeit not entirely dissimilar to the model that preceded it (at a launch day last year, all five generations were lined up alongside each other, and one of the biggest changes through the years is that the Renault badge on the grille seems to have got a lot bigger).
The gently depressed curve of the grille gives the car what I think looks like a smiley face. The Clio always has been sold as a fun car (remember Nicole and Papa and their respective amorous shenanigans?), and this is expressed very effectively with chrome inlays and that signature cut-off glasshouse just above the tailgate line.
The rear is one of the nicest in the segment, with taillights that run from the body through the tailgate, and a small scuff pad at exhaust level. Above all, the ovoid frame of the side window, also picked out in chrome, gives the Clio a substance many of its rivals don’t achieve, and the overall effect is of a car more than the sum of its parts.
It’s very safe too. It and the Audi A1 jointly were awarded the honour of top supermini tested in 2019 by EuroNCAP. Based on the new CMF-B modular platform Renault shares with Nissan and Dacia, the Clio benefits from an optimised body structure, revised seat structures and seat-belt fasteners designed to provide optimal support for all occupants, no matter where they sit. It also is possible install all kinds of child seats, both front and rear, on Isofix and with the I-size system, and there also is enhanced head protection of the rear passengers in case of side impact.
A whole host of safety features is offered as standard on all grades, including six airbags, ABS with emergency brake assistance, a camera and a radar (allowing the lane keep assist, traffic sign recognition with speed alert, distance warning, emergency braking), cruise control/speed limiter, seat belt unlock alert (also for the rear seats if occupied), and emergency call, while vision is optimised with standard 100% LED front headlamps, automatic high/low beam and a day/night interior mirror.
As things stand, there are four engine variants – petrol in 74hp, 99hp and 128hp outouts, and diesel in 84hp – though later in the year, we also will get the Clio E-TECH hybrid, though no price has yet been announced for that in this market.
It comes in four trim levels — Expression, Dynamique, Iconic and the top-of-the-range RS Line, with price ranging from €16,990 to €24,690. The price walks are minimal on PCP finance. Renault also is sticking with its Carbon
Rewards offer until the end of March (possibly extended thereafter if the coronavirus crisis persists). Under the scheme, customers are guaranteed savings of €3,500 on new cars with € 1,000 Carbon Cashback and 2.01% APR (saving customers €2,500 on interest payments compared to high street banks).
The big improvements are inside, with a very smart cabin layout, including Renault’s now-standard upright infotainment screen that debuted on the Mégane a few years back.
The basic instrument cluster is analogue, but a digital display is available on the higher trims or as an option.
The 99hp engine is peppy enough for its size, but the 0-100kph time of 11.8 seconds is leisurely, and I struggled a bit with the five-speed manual transmission after a long run of driving automatics and sixspeed manuals.
One thing Renault does very well, and always did (I used to drive a 25 back in the Eighties), is comfortable seats and here is no exception. Despite the car’s relatively narrow width, you never feel anything less that cosy and well supported.
The new platform also seems to have made the steering more precise, and overall it’s a fun car to drive unless you’re looking for serious thrills, because you won’t find those here.
It’s economical, with emissions of 100g/km for annual motor tax of €180, and fuel consumption of 4.4 litres per 100km in the combined urban/extra-urban drive cycle.
Buyers clearly like it too, because the new Clio has been the bestselling car in the supermini segment so far this year with 1,125 sold. It’s no surprise.
At 30,the car is mature but still playful, with all the joie de vivre we’ve come to expect.