Deja vu is a French term that literally translates into “already seen” and it certainly was a case of deja vu at the launch of the new Renault Clio. Not because the attractive new little Renault was in any way derivative, it was just that we had heard it all before at a Renault launch: “it’s not a re-launch”, “this time we are going to do big things in New Zealand”, “The Clio is a car that they have gone mental for in Europe and it is the car that will take us places here too!”…
That is not to say that the Clio is not a fine little car, it’s just that they ALL have been and yet Renault still barely features over here…
What is it?
While it isn’t the smallest car Renault make, it is the smallest available in New Zealand.
A competitor in the savage small car segment, it goes up against the likes of the VW Polo, Mazda2, Skoda Fabia, Ford Fiesta and, of course, the mighty Suzuki Swift.
At launch the Clio will be available in two models.
The first is the Authentique that comes with the TCe 90 898cc turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine that pumps out 66kW of power and 135Nm or torque. Hooked up to a five-speed manual transmission, the little three-cylinder sips fuel at the rate of 4.5L/100km and produces emissions of just 105g/km of CO2.
The Authentique comes standard with manual air conditioning, Bluetooth phone connectivity, 15-inch steel wheels, six airbags, LED daytime running lights, cruise control and remote central locking.
Next up is the Expression that packs the TCe 120 1.2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine. With 88kW of power and 190Nm of torque, the four-cylinder is hooked up to a six-speed dual clutch automated transmission and consumes 5.2L/100km of fuel and emits 120g/km of CO2.
The Expression adds satellite navigation with a 7-inch touch screen, body coloured door mirrors and door handles, gloss black interior highlights, chrome trim on the grille and 16-inch steel wheels.
A $2,000 optional “Convenience pack” is available for the Expression that adds electric folding door mirrors, augomatic headlights, rain sensing wipers, rear electric windows, fog lamps, a leather steering wheel and 16-inch alloy wheels.
The Authentique starts off the pricing at $22,990, while the Expression costs $26,990 (or $28,990 with the Convenience pack).
What’s it like?
While it was hoped to have the Authentique available for the launch, it wasn’t to be, so all we got to drive on the launch was the 1.2-litre Expression. Which was a shame, because the little 900cc engine hooked up to a manual transmission sounded like it would be quite a bit of fun…
However the 1.2-litre four hooked up to the DCT was an absolute blast anyway!
The 1.2-litre engine is a wonderfully free-revving little unit that gives its absolute all, while still managing to stay refined and modern at all times.
The dual clutch transmission is slick and smooth, with a truly impressive automatic mode.
Out on the open road the Clio possesses a nicely judged ride and a wonderfully eager turn of handling. Chuck it into a corner and it responds like you traditionally expect a small, FWD French car to respond – eager and sure-footed. It dives into the corner and tracks faithfully throughout. The rear end is brilliantly controlled and equally predictable.
None of the is eager handling spoils the ride though which, while on the firm side, is never anything less than comfortable and nicely controlled.
What’s good about it?
It looks great, albeit slightly less so on small steel wheels, but the overall shape is still very pleasing. It is great fun to throw eagerly into a corner, but is also very comfortable and quiet as an everyday around-town car.
What’s not so good?
It is quite a basic car, even in Expression guise with its steel wheels and wind-up rear windows. You have to drop an extra $2,000 for the Convenience pack to bring it up to the opposition’s level of standard spec, making it closer to being a $30,000 car…
First impressions?
The basic package of the new Clio Expression is massively impressive. The styling is fantastic, the chassis is brilliant and the engine and transmission are eager and lively.
Which is just as well, because you don’t get a hell of a lot more for your money on top of this. The lack of specification that is expected in even the most entry-level cars may put some off, but the underlying charm of the Clio is still a mighty strong argument.
Models/prices
Authentique – $22,990
Expression – $26,990
Powertrain
0.9-litre inline three-cylinder petrol producing 66kW/135Nm; five-speed manual transmission; front-wheel drive (Authentique) or 1.2-litre inline four-cylinder petrol producing 88kW/190Nm; six-speed dual clutch transmission; front-wheel drive (Expression)
Fuel consumption: 4.5l/100km (Authentique), 5.2L/100km (Expression)
CO2 emissions: 105g/km (Authentique), 120g/km (Expression)
Safety
ANCAP/EuroNCAP rating: 5 Star
Air bags: 6
Stability control: yes
Lap/diagonal belts: 5
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