As we reported yesterday, the fourth-generation Renault Clio has made its local debut and if I were Volkswagen, Ford, Peugeot, Hyundai and Kia, I’d be quaking in my boots. Simply put, it matches all of its competitors for flair, driving fun and practicality, but offers spec previously unseen in the B-segment at prices that are class-leading.
Look out for a scoop test of the flagship Clio 66 kW Turbo Dynamique (R179 900) in the May issue of CAR (on shelves 22 April). In the meantime, I had an opportunity to drive the mid-spec 66 kW Turbo Expression (R169 900) at the Reef and found this model to be the sweet spot in the range.
The new Clio is longer, lower and wider than the model it replaces, and features the new Renault design language that debuted on the Dezir concept car, with a large logo surrounded by a black oval and swept-back headlamps with LED daytime running lights on all three models (beside the two already mentioned, there’s also an entry-level 55 kW/107 N.m 1,2 Authentique at R149 900). The latter model has plastic wheel covers, the Expression features 16-inch alloys and the Dynamique sports 17-inch items on low-profile rubber.
The interior continues the success story. But firstly, forget what you think you know to be the norm for a dashboard design – the new Clio 4’s facia is shaped like an iPad, complete with chrome-look surround (on Expression and Dynamique models). The touchscreen infotainment, Bluetooth and sat-nav system is standard on the Turbo models (a first for B-segment cars in SA) and if you haven’t ripped all your CDs to MP3 format yet, do so soon because there’s no compact disk reader in the new Clio … just a auxiliary input and USB jack. Beefing up the sound system is a Bass Reflex speaker system.
Other standard items on the Expression include Renault’s now-ubiquitous start card, height- and reach-adjustable steering, trip computer, foglamps, electric front windows and mirrors and air-con. The Dynamique adds hands-free entry and drive, auto lights and wipers, rear electric windows, gloss trim inside and out and those gorgeous 17-inch wheels. Safety levels, always such an important marketing tool with every new Renault, are high: four airbags, ABS with brake assist, ESC and three Isofix anchorage points for car seats.
Quality throughout is sound (the air vents look and feel a tad cheap, though), the driving position is excellent and space across and front-to-rear is on par with the segment’s best. Renault also claims the Clio has the largest boot in its class at 300 dm3.
This impressive turn manifests itself on-road, too. The electric steering system is quicker, sharper and vastly more natural in feel than the previous model’s setup, while the five-speed ‘box is slick and precise. In fact, the Renault’s ride is on the compliant side of firm (especially on the 16-inch wheels with their plumper side walls), which will please most buyers, but will they find favour with a 0,9-litre three-cylinder?
In the quest to exact similar performance to a traditional 1,4-lire motor but with lower emissions and better fuel efficiency, Renault has adopted turbocharging for its three-pot 66 kW Turbo, which itself sounds just as thrummy as one would expect. The company claims the peak toque of 135 N.m is achieved at 2 500 r/min but 90 per cent of the maximum twist is available between 1 650 and 5 000 r/min. In practice, however, the motor, although not sluggish or one-dimensional in the least, does require a bit of practice to exact the most. Once you’re accustomed to keeping the motor in its boost band, though, it is willing and capable. One thing you’ll struggle to emulate is the claimed combined fuel-consumption figure of 4,5 litres/100 km. That said, at the end of our journey (two-up, air-con running, enthusiastic driving), the trip computer registered a still-very-good 6,2 litres/100 km.
At the launch, Renault South Africa’s charming MD, Susumu Uchikoshi, emphasised the importance of the Clio to Renault’s local and international strategies. The company has targeted what it sees as the top-five of the B-segment in terms of sales, the VW Polo, Toyota Yaris, Ford Fiesta, Hyundai i20 and Kia Rio, and believes it’s new hatch has the appeal and price tags to succeed in this extremely competitive section of the market. Furthermore, later this year – most probably at the Johannesburg International Motor Show – a flagship will be added in the form of the 1,2 Turbo Auto. And don’t forget the eagerly anticipated new Renaultsport model.
At R169 900, the 66 kW Turbo Expression offers exceptional value for money and is the one I’d go for. In fact, I’d wager that the Clio will threaten the dominance of the top five and may even see itself nosing ahead of one or two of them. It’s that good.
Specifications
Model: Renault Clio 66 kW Turbo Expression
Engine: 0,9-litre, three-cylinder turbopetrol
Power: 66 kW at 5 500 r/min
Torque: 135 N.m at 2 500 r/min
0-100 km/h: 12,2 seconds
Top speed: 182 km/h
Fuel consumption: 4,5 L/100 km
CO2: 105 g/km
Price: R169 900
Warranty: 5 years/150 000 km
Service plan: 3 years/45 000 km
Service intervals: 15 000 km
All manufacturer’s claimed figures
