We review the Renault Clio from price to economy and all its features
GLENEAGLES will hopefully witness a European success story in September 2014. are hoping it kicks off their Euro upturn in fortunes in 2013.
The French firm launched their new Clio and stablemate Dacia Sandero at the picturesque posh golf course this week.
It’s safe to say Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley and Europe will not want to emulate Renault’s performance over the past 12 months. As far as European and UK sales are concerned, Renault have been stuck well and truly in the rough.
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The new era begins with their most important car — this new fourth-generation Clio — their best-seller.
Two of the next new models will be crossovers to rival Nissan’s Juke and Qashqai — beginning with the striking Captur, revealed last month.
This week they also revealed first pictures of their new facelifted Scenics. First up is the Scenic XMOD, which is their compact MPV getting an SUV makeover. It still has the typically MPV-shaped body of the Scenic but now gets Renault’s new in-your-face family front end, incorporating the angled narrow grille and large Renault badge that graces the front of the new Clio.
It also gets a raised ride height and a new protective bodykit, as well as chrome-finish roof bars and some new LED daytime running lights. To go with the new rugged looks, the XMOD gets a Grip Xtend traction control system, which allows the driver to alter settings depending on the road conditions.
A new 7in R-Link touchscreen is the main difference in the cabin but Renault now also offers a Bose sound system too.
Top-spec XMOD cars get leather/ /Alcantara upholstery, a flat-bottomed steering wheel and aluminium pedals. Renault are also introducing three new engines to the Scenic XMOD and Grand Scenic range, with the Energy TCe 130 Stop & Start introduced to a Renault for the first time. It’s 15 per cent more efficient than the old TCe 130.
The Scenic XMOD and the facelifted Grand Scenic will be unveiled at the Geneva show next month. Both models are expected to go on sale in the UK in May. Prices for the XMOD are expected to rise by £800 over the current Scenic MPV, which starts at £18,335.
The Grand Scenic has also been tweaked with the much ballsier front end and when it goes on sale later this year, prices are expected to remain close to the current £19,735.
Renault are also putting a family of electric models on sale this year, from the two-seat Twizy to a Kangoo electric van.
But the vital one is the stunning Zoe supermini EV, with similar styling to the Clio, with prices starting from £13,600 after a £5,000 Government subsidy when it goes on sale this spring.
However, for now, it’s all about this crucial new Clio. And Renault really need it to hit the sweet spot.
First Drive: New Renault Clio
THE Dezir concept in 2011 was arguably the most beautiful car I’d ever driven.
When Renault said the look would go into their next Clio I laughed. Yet, remarkably, here it is.
It’s been shrink-wrapped and sculpted into a runaround in size and practicality, but the overall essence has been transformed from supercar to supermini.
That now makes it a major contender again. And, for Renault, it has to be.
It has been Renault’s heartbeat for the last 22 years. They have sold more than 12million, including over 1million to UK buyers who, like the rest of Europe, have been big Clio fans.
In recent years it’s lost its Va Va Voom and sales, but now it’s back with a bold bang, which is good timing as more people downsize.
This is a very tough sector, but this Clio is racy enough to stand out against the likes of Ford Fiesta, VW Polo and Peugeot 208. The huge diamond Renault badge on the bonnet in the middle of two chrome stripes that stretch into heavy duty headlights is full-on, in-your-face design that makes the Clio totally distinctive.
There is an edge to the Clio from any angle, with a racy side profile that features a long chrome strip running along both doors into a beautifully shaped coupé-style rear.
Renault have dropped the three-door version but cleverly made the five-door look like a three, because the rear door handles are hidden high into the window.
Having grabbed your attention with the exterior design, the interior is an equally stylish affair that has a quality feel about its fit and finish. It has a chic, sophisticated-but-simple style with a smart new centre console finished in piano black trim, that contrasts with chrome-ringed main instruments with yellow needles.
There are lots of options to personalise the Clio — a growing selling point for small cars — including the latest connectivity package.
But the French have always done small cars well — and this is no exception.
Renault have performed a good job in delivering a car that is an excellent all-rounder — easy to drive, with light responsive steering and composed handling.
Renault have also upped the ante when it comes to performance and fuel economy with two new engines, a gutsy 900cc petrol and a responsive 1.5litre turbo diesel, as well as the popular 1.2litre petrol.
The three-cylinder petrol is the latest example of car firms making downsizing dynamic. The 900cc can hit 62mpg but with the performance of a 1.4litre.
If you want a more lively mix of performance and economy, go for the diesel which can do up to 62mpg, while an Eco version returns a class-leading 88mpg.
Those are the kind of performance figures supermini owners are really looking for, although there will be a Renaultsport 200 in mid 2013 to satisfy fans of go-faster Clios.
The Clio is also one of the more practical supermini’s with 300litres of boot space that grows to 1,146litres with the rear seats down, plus comfortable seating for four.
It’s on sale now with prices starting at £10,595 — that’s £230 cheaper than the considerably less impressive current model — and going up to £16,000.
This is such a tough sector to win, especially with the Fiesta so dominant. But I think the Clio is now almost as stylish as the Ford with the 208 not far behind.
At the home of the 2014 Ryder Cup, Renault have got this Clio off to a tee. This sweet drive will undoubtedly give them big sales.
What to look out for when buying a used Renault Clio
Renault doesn’t have the best reputation for reliability but the Clio Mk 3 (2005-12) is built to a much higher standard than its predecessors.
You still need to check that the electrics all work though, that the air conditioning hasn’t packed in and that the exterior bulbs all work properly – replacing them can be a real pain.
Three recalls for the hatch isn’t a disaster; so far, some Mk 3 Clios have suffered potential issues with their automatic gearboxes playing up, the brake lights failing and engines failing, although the latter affected only cars with the 1.2-litre petrol unit.
The Sport Tourer has also been recalled (in very small numbers) for a potential front suspension failure.