It’s has been a while since I attended a new car launch that excited me from the outset solely based on the model’s curvy looks. Only viewed on images the Clio looked good from the outset, actually it not only looked good, it was ‘different’. A muscular front end gave way to a sensual waistline that transformed into a sculpted dynamic rear end. The New Clio was already making its presence felt before launch.
We were to spend over twenty-four hours enjoying the four cars at our disposal, whilst enjoying excellent cuisine and a choice overnight venue on Malta’s sister island. Our hosts Auto Sales Limited (better known as Kinds) made sure that we were not only there to physically test the cars but also to enjoy the stay, the company and the mouth watering menus. An extra attraction was having Ivan Grech of Winter Moods fame, chosen by Auto Sales as Brand Ambassador for Renault in Malta, amongst us for the whole duration.
The cars on offer although sporting the same high end specifications came with two different engines, a 900cc turbo charged 3 cylinder petrol delivering 90bhp and a 1.5lt common rail diesel also with 90bhp on tap. A claimed combined 65.7mpg for the petrol engine is simply impressive but the diesel can even better that with a combined consumption of 83.1mpg! With 220Nm of torque compared to 135Nm the diesel was obviously pretty more fun to push hard but the ‘small’ 3-cylinder is no slouch and very impressive in its own right.
Two cars available for us came in the much acclaimed Flame Red metallic finish, a distinctive launch colour first seen on the DeZir concept car. One other car was in a cheeky French Blue, the other in a brilliant white termed Glacier White by Renault. The Clio is instantly recognizable thanks to its front-end styling that also features a prominent Renault logo set in bold chrome and standing upright against a gloss black background. This frontal treatment is made more distinctive still by the headlight units utilizing chrome details and LED daytime running lights.
The New Renault Clio delivers a high standard of comfort and safety equipment across the range and features an affordable personalisation program on an unprecedented scale for Renault. New Clio's versatility is founded on even more efficient road holding and enhanced travelling comfort and it also boasts a spacious cabin and a particularly big boot (300dm3). It is also rigorously designed, targets the highest possible level of active and passive safety (5 stars Euro NCAP new rating) and is built to Renault's exacting quality standards.
Buoyed by the passion of the teams behind its design the Clio continues to pack features that are normally only associated with larger cars and responds to market demands in rational, yet emotional way. The desire to combine beauty with functionality shows through clearly in numerous aspects of the interior design, from the dashboard in the shape of an aircraft wing, to the neat packaging of the multimedia systems in the centre console, the availability of stowage space throughout the cabin and careful attention to detail. The wide choice of colours and the use of chrome and gloss-black highlighting add to the warmth exuded by the cabin.
For enhanced safety and driving pleasure, nearly all the engines available incorporate hill start assist. When the driver lifts his or her foot from the brake pedal on a slope, the system, which is connected to the ESC, holds the vehicle stationary for two seconds allowing the driver to pull away without the vehicle moving backwards. Every version is also equipped with ESC, ASR traction control, ABS and emergency brake assist, as well as more direct variable rate electric power steering which ensures a level of agility that is particularly appreciable in built-up areas. The standard equipment list also includes cruise control with speed limiter, and comes with 'motorway-mode' indicators, producing three flashes of the indicators when preparing to overtake by lightly moving the indicator stalk.
This Clio is also an entirely keyless car. The key is replaced by an electronic credit-card sized 3mm thick black card that locks and unlocks the doors and permits the engine to be started without the driver removing the card from his or her pocket, bag, wallet, etc. Personally I don’t like the trend of having a ‘key’ and a separate Start button. Why replace a simple key, is turning one really such a terrible chore that they have to be phased out? Apart from my usual key gripe another odd statistic is the decision to totally do away with an ‘old-fashioned’ cd-player. I may be showing my age but along the years I kind of got accustomed to physically interesting an 8-track > cassette tape > cd … The car is equipped with advanced Bluetooth radio from entry level but occupants have to make use of USB-portable players for hearing their favorite music.
Overall I am very much impressed with the New Clio, it is hard to fault in any department and will surely be a pioneer in certain advancements that will alert other manufacturers to sit up and take notice. It is now available locally starting from Euro12,700.
text & photos : John Peel