Renault Clio 1.6 16V Privilege and Dynamique

The first of the more overtly performance-oriented models in the revised Clio range for South Africa are the five-door 1.6 16V Privilege and three-door Dynamique….

They have a close-ratio five-speed manual gearbox, a top speed in excess of 190 km/h, and acceleration and handling to match.

15-inch distinctively designed alloy wheels shod with 185/55 low profile radials,

and integrated front fog lights, set the Clio 1.6 models apart from the rest

of the range. The prominent new twin-unit headlights and restyled nose give

it enhanced on-road presence. The new frontal treatment is reminiscent of the

Vel Satis, with a prominent Renault logo suspended in a dihedral grille.

At the rear, the Clio retains its trademark "double bustle" tail

treatment, with the addition of revised taillight clusters featuring crystal-style

central ellipses, and a large Renault logo that doubles as the boot latch.

Inside is a new dashboard and centre console made of higher quality materials,

with alu-look inserts and door handles, and new fabric and colour schemes, to

lend the car an extremely high level of perceived quality. Interior ergonomics

are of the highest order, with all controls laid out logically and within easy

reach of the driver.

A roomy interior remains one of the Clio’s strong points, and access thereto

is enhanced through doors which open wider than many competitors. Multi-adjustable

seats have been designed to offer firm, comfortable support, and the front seat

height adjustment facility maintains the seat cushion in a horizontal plane

at any setting. Both front and rear headrests are specially designed to enhance

safety.

As regards safety, like all models in the revised Clio range the 1.6 has the

following features as standard: ABS with EBV electronic distribution and EBD

braking assistance (not 2.0 16V); adaptive front airbags; head/thorax side airbags;

safety belt pretensioners and 400 kg load limiters in the front seats; three-point

rear safety belts; safety belt pretensioners and 600 kg load limiters in the

outer rear seats; three-point Isofix child seat attachment on the front passenger

seat, with key-operated inhibition of passenger airbag.

All Clios also have security window etching and a visible VIN plate, anti-drill

door locks, a locking fuel cap and a transponder immobiliser. All doors lock

automatically when the vehicle is in motion, and the vehicle will automatically

re-lock itself if accidentally unlocked via the remote central locking control.

Clio 1,6 two

The standard equipment list on the 1.6 16V Privilege and Dynamique is generous

and extensive, pollen filter, rear heating ducts and electric air recirculation

facility, glove box illumination, rain and light sensor, front close-contact

headrests with comfort adjustment, vibration damping windscreen with heat-reflective

technology, alu-look dashboard inserts, instrument surround and interior door

handles, dimmer control for instrument lighting, trim and door panels in cloth

upholstery, and a Radiosat 6000 4 x 22 Watt single CD/tuner with steering column

controls and remote display. The Dynamique model comes as a sporty three-door

model with different interior trim and climate control.

As most of the models of the range, the Clio 1.6 models boast a split folding

rear seat backrest, map pockets in rear of front seats, front- & rear passenger

grab handles, colour-coded bumpers, high-filter tinted glass, height-adjustable

steering wheel & driver’s seat with lumbar support adjustment, stowage tray

under passenger seat, rev-counter & digital clock, electric power steering

with variable assistance, intelligent front and rear wipers and twin cupholders

in the centre console.

The mirrors are electrically-operated & heated, and colour-coded to the

bodywork, and features such as a trip computer with external temperature display,

passenger map-reading spotlight, time-delayed interior courtesy light, and electric

front windows with one-touch operation.

Under the bonnet of both the Privilege and Dynamique models is Renault’s latest

1.6 16V, the multivalve K4M. From a capacity of 1598 cm3 it musters peak power

of 79 kW at 5750 revs/min, with maximum torque of 148 Nm arriving at 3750 revs/min.

A measure of the engine’s driveability can be gleaned from the torque curve

– 90 percent of the peak figure is available between 2500 and 5500 revs/min.

Throttle response is thus lively, linear and progressive, while fuel economy

is improved by 0,2 to 7,0 litres/100 km on the combined urban/extra-urban cycle,

thanks to a new four-into-one exhaust manifold.

Top speed of the 1.6 16V Clio is 193 km/h, the 0 – 100 km/h sprint taking 9,6

seconds.

Service intervals for the new Clio range are 15 000 kms. All Clios are covered

by Renault’s standard 3-year 100 000 km warranty and 6-year anti-corrosion guarantee.