Renault aims high with 4th-generation Clio
Following its eagerly-anticipated world debut at the Paris Motor Show just last week, Renault has confirmed pricing and specification for one of the UK’s most loved cars, Clio.
Now in its fourth-generation, the latest version of the 12 million-selling (over one million in the UK) chic supermini boasts an all-new, sensual look on the outside, with a more upmarket feel on the inside. And combined with attractive pricing, plenty of new technology, a wide array of new options and state-of-the-art engines, the French marque is aiming for the top of the hotly contested supermini class when the new model hits showrooms next February. UK ordering for Renault’s striking newcomer, which marks the beginning of its new design direction under the leadership of Laurens Van Den Acker, opens on 1 November 2012.
Breaking with tradition, the new Clio will be available solely in five-door guise, but with a coupé-like silhouette incorporating hidden rear door handles and a sportier profile. To back up its contemporary look, UK models will also be priced to tackle its rivals head on, including an eye-catching entry price of £10,595.
Kicking off the initial four trim level line-up is a new Expression trim level, available with the 1.2 16V 75 engine. Far from being a stripped-out base version though, and in keeping with Renault’s reputation for providing well-equipped models versus the competition, it benefits from a 4x20W radio with Bluetooth and USB connection, Bass Reflex system (enhanced speaker sound quality), driver/passenger/side and curtain airbags, 60/40 split-folding rear seat, cruise control, daytime running lights, ESC, Hill Start Assist, height and reach adjustable steering wheel, electric front windows and door mirrors, keyless entry and ignition, plus speed limiter.
Moving up to Expression+ adds 16” Passion alloy wheels, air conditioning and front fog lights.
The next stage takes in the UK’s likely best-seller, Dynamique MediaNav, which not only ups the equipment stakes, but also the overall sporty feel, both inside and out. Among its highlights are black gloss exterior touches with chrome inserts (doors, boot lid strip and grille) and 16” Passion alloy wheels with a choice of black or grey inserts. The specification tally moves upmarket with the addition of auto lights and wipers, 7” touchscreen with MediaNav incorporating Navteq’s Nav ‘N’ Go satellite navigation, Arkamys radio with Bluetooth and USB and fingertip remote controls, leather steering wheel with gloss black insert and the convenient handsfree keycard.
Rounding off the core range, at least for the time being, until the new GT Line and Renaultsport versions arrive in 2013, are Dynamique S MediaNav versions. Luxury additions to the Clio flagship include a choice of 17” ‘Desire’ alloy wheels (with selection of four different colour inserts), chrome side window surrounds, centre armrest, climate control, electric folding door mirrors, rear electric windows, gloss black interior door handles and rear parking sensors.
Options
On top of its svelte looks and state-of-the-art engines, the fourth-generation Clio also packs a series of new and innovative options, several of which are more commonly seen on larger, and naturally, pricier cars.
Key to these is the appearance of R-Link (£450 on Dynamique MediaNav and above), the first in a Renault, before it is rolled out across other models in the range. The ingenious system forms part of a fully integrated tablet with a 7-inch colour touchscreen, featuring a wealth of clever touches to make life easier and more enjoyable for everyone on board. Among them are voice recognition, email access (when stationary), a photo and video viewer, eco tip driving software and TomTom navigation with LIVE services. A text to speech function will also be available from early 2013, allowing messages or RSS feeds to be read out loud. In addition to the in-built functions of Renault R-Link, arguably its most newsworthy element is the ability to use and download apps, specifically designed for the system. At launch, a number of apps will be on offer for customers, covering everything from tweeting to games and modifying the car’s in-car engine sound through the speakers using the R-Sound Effect app, with more to follow in the future. Clios specified with the system, can also benefit from the 4x35W 3D Sound by Arkamys®, offering premium sound quality for a fraction of the cost of most high-end systems.
Prices for other notable options include the panoramic fixed glass roof £350, Convenience Pack (centre armrest and climate control) £260, metallic paint £460, gloss exterior touch packs £100, gloss interior touch packs £75 and combined gloss exterior and interior touch pack £150, rear parking sensors £315 (Dynamique MediaNav) and rear parking camera £350 (Dynamique S MediaNav).
The latest Clio already stands out from the crowd, but for discerning customers looking to tailor their own, there’s a whole new world of personalisation too, with countless combinations:
Five exterior decor packs to enhance different areas of the body with chrome or colour trims (door, boot strip and grille - standard on Dynamique MediaNav upwards).
Five interior decor packs which highlight different parts of the cabin with colours or motifs.
Two interior ambience packs which co-ordinate the colour of the dashboard colour with that of the upholstery and door panels (Dynamique S).
For the exterior:
Exterior colour elements are available in five different finishes: black, blue, chrome, ivory and red. These finishes concern the grille, rear hatch and side protection moulding trims. In addition, the door mirror housings, rear bumper apron and side protection mouldings are picked out in gloss black lacquer.
The roof decal designs come in a choice of two different themes (UK): ‘Le Mans’ or ‘Tricolore’.
The 16-inch diamond-effect ‘Passion’ alloy wheels are also available in a choice of two colours: black or grey. 17-inch ‘Desire’ alloy wheels will be available with a choice of four colour inserts: black, red, blue or ivory.
For the interior:
Interior gloss touches are available in a choice of five colours (black - standard, blue, grey, ivory or red) and echo the same two themes as the roof decal designs (‘Le Mans’ and ‘Tricolore’). These highlights concern the steering wheel, door panels, gear lever surround and air vent surrounds and are directly incorporated using a technique known as insert moulding.
In the case of the Dynamique S MediaNav trim level, customers can choose from three colours for the interior trim (black, red or blue). These colours apply to the dashboard and door panels, with a matching colour for the upholstery. A finishing touch for each ambience comes in the form of colour co-ordinated carpet mats, available as accessories.
Seven paint finishes are available, four of which are all new. Three non-metallic in the UK: Glacier White, French Blue and Inca Yellow (the latter two are special Renault i.d. paint). The signature hue for the new car, unsurprisingly, given its direct links with the stunning DeZir supercar, is a ‘special effect‘ finish, Flame. The three other optional colours are Diamond Black, Mercury and Oyster Grey.
New engines
All of the engines in the fourth-generation Clio are new. In the case of the 1.2 16V 75, it has been extensively modified, resulting in a 2.7 mpg fuel economy improvement, as well as an 8 g/km reduction in CO2 emissions.
The bigger news though is the debut of two new engines in Renault’s high-selling supermini, the 0.9-litre TCe 90 and 1.5 dCi 90. Both are available with special ‘ECO’ variants in the mid-range Expression+ and Dynamique MediaNav trim levels, improving their environmental credentials still further for a £250 premium. As part of this environmentally-conscious package, 15” wheels (16” alloy wheels are a no-cost option), ultra-low rolling resistance tyres, specific pedal mapping, bespoke gear ratios and thermoplastic boot opening surround (saving 4kg) all feature. The result is a fuel saving of between 10 to 15% and a CO2 emission cut of between 5 and 7g/km.
The latest result of Renault’s relentless engine downsizing strategy to limit the impact of its vehicles carbon footprint, comes in the form of its first three-cylinder turbo petrol engine, the TCe 90. Even at just 0.9 litres, the newcomer easily outperforms the current 1.2 TCe 100 on every front (52.3 mpg and 125 g/km CO2 emissions). In standard guise it delivers 62.8 mpg on the combined cycle. Opting for the ECO version takes this up to 65.7 mpg, as well as cutting the emissions from 104 to under the magic 100g/km barrier for zero road tax beyond just the first year.
The heavily upgraded 1.5-litre dCi now gains 20Nm greater torque (220Nm available from 1,750 rpm). The standard version now boasts combined fuel economy of 83.1 mpg (up by 12.5 mpg) and CO2 emissions of just 90 g/km (down 16g/km), while the ECO version delivers a class-leading 88.3 mpg and ultra-low 83g/km CO2 emissions (down 11 g/km).
Stop&Start technology is standard on both the TCe 90 and dCi 90 engines, while a driver activated ECO mode to reduce engine torque and modify the accelerator pedal mapping to maximise fuel economy is standard on all engine variants from Dynamique MediaNav and above.
