Renault has just launched its fourth generation Clio in South Africa. Aimed at market favourites such as the Kia Rio, Volkswagen Polo and Toyota Yaris, Renault has really come to the party with funky styling and competitive pricing.
New Clio is longer, lower and wider than the model it replaces; measuring in at 4 060 mm in length, 1 450 mm in height and 1 730 mm in width. Visually, it features the new Renault family face with the large logo and swept-back headlamps with LED daytime running lights. Integrated rear door handles near the C-pillar and a profusion of chrome detailing are among the exterior highlights. The lines and contours of the new car are completely different to those of the current Clio and, viewed in profile, gives the car a somewhat oriental (read Hyundai/Kia/ Nissan) look about it.
The entry-level unit is a 1,2-litre, 16-valve petrol engine that develops 55 kW and 107 N.m. Mated with a five-speed manual transmission, this Clio is capable of sprinting from zero to 100 km/h in 15,4 seconds and has a top speed of 167 km/h. There is also a new turbocharged 0,9-litre three-cylinder petrol engine. This unit pushes out 66 kW at 5 250 r/min and 135 N.m at 2 500 r/min. Renault claims that this model can reach 100 km/h from standstill in 12,2 ticks of the clock before it hits its top speed of 182 km/h. Fuel consumption for this model is 4,5 litres/100 km and it has a CO2 emissions figure of 104 g/km.
Standard features across all three specification levels – Authentique, Expression and Dynamique – include ESP, four airbags, cruise control and a USB-compatible audio system. Depending on the spec level, other features may include front and rear fog lamps, auto-on headlamps, a navigation system, electric windows, Isofix anchorages, keyless entry and start and hill start assist. Renault has chosen to not equip its Clio with a CD player, but it still has an audio system that is MP3 compatible and boasts auxiliary and USB inputs. It also has Bluetooth connectivity capabilities. This system can be controlled via steering wheel-mounted controls.
Prices:
Renault Clio 1,2 Authentique – R149 900
Renault Clio TCe 90 Expression – R169 900
Renault Clio TCe 90 Dynamique – R179 900
Read a full road test on the Clio TCe 90 Dynamique in the May issue of CAR, on sale 22 April 2013.
For now, you can read Mike Fourie’s driving impression on this model here.
