The facelifted Renault Clio 3 has just hit South Africa, and although its predecessors have been an international feature for almost two decades, the latest evolution of the best-selling hatchback celebrates the Clio's tenth year of local availability.
1. The third generation Clio added to the remarkable success of all generations of Clio with high levels of comfort, performance and safety specification, and the facelifted model is planned to build on this with simplified line-up that consists of a five-door 1,6 Dynamique, and the three-door 2,0 Renault Sport three-door.
2. Design-wise, the 1,6 Dynamique boasts an all-new front end that includes new contoured headlamps, as well as a more-angular front bumper design that incorporates a broad air intake and front fog lamps - highlighted by matte black protective mouldings.
3. The new Clio boasts a more streamlined profile thanks to its extended overall length (increase by 41 mm to 4 027 mm), which also adds a claimed class-leading overall cabin space index that results in 1 343 mm of rear shoulder room and comfortable seating for taller rear-seat passengers. The responsive 1,6-litre 16-valve engine has been retained for an excellent balance of power and economy. It develops 83 kW at 6 000 r/min and 151 N.m of torque at 4 250 r/min.
4. Renault has bumped the interior quality up considerably through the use of a soft-touch facia and high quality charcoal plastic trim. The controls are even more user-friendly, including new steering wheel-mounted stalks and the relocation of the cruise control and speed limiter switch to the centre console - which also houses the engine start/stop button and ignition key slot. A Carminat TomTom satellite navigation system is standard equipment.
5. The rear view of the Clio has been enhanced through the use of revised tail-light clusters and a redesigned rear bumper that rounds off the exterior features. The most desirable feature not included in the base price is an electric panoramic sunroof - available as an optional extra.
6. As expected, the Clio RS boasts a chunkier appearance thanks to its purposeful stance and draws on Renault's experience in motorsport for aerodynamic enhancing exterior additions that include a front air splitter, rear roof spoiler, front wing air extractors and a rear diffuser that generates nearly 30 kg of downforce at 130 km/h.
7. Apart from the standout black mask treatment up front, the 17-inch light alloy wheels are another design highlight - and are wrapped in 215/45/R17 Continental rubber all round. Front and rear track has been widened by 48 mm and 50 mm respectively and Brembo four-piston calipers and 312 mm ventilated handle braking responsibilities up front, while 300 mm discs and TRW single-piston calipers do duty at the rear.
8. The Clio RS is powered by the familiar 2,0-litre 16-valve engine, developed even further to produce 148 kW at 7 100 r/min and 215 N.m of torque at 5 400 r/min. Mated with a six-speed manual gearbox, the Clio RS sprints from zero to 100 km/h in 6,9 seconds and goes on to a 225 km/h top speed.
9. The sporty nature of the Clio RS is reflected in the interior by such details as the aluminium pedal covers and footrest, perforated leather steering wheel with white stitching and yellow centre-point marker, Renault Sport two-toned bucket-style seats (leather upholstery optional), and a yellow tachometer that includes a gearshift indicator when the needle approaches the red line.
10. Included in the price of the both models is a standard three year/45 000 km service plan and Renault's three-year/100 000 km warranty. The Clio 1,6 Dynamique costs R188 000 and the Clio Renault Sport costs R249 900. Free driver training conducted by the Renault Driver Academy is standard with the purchase of every Clio RS.
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