Focus on size and economy

Since its launch in 1990, the Clio has been one of Renault’s best-selling models. At the Geneva Motor Show in early March the fifth generation Clio was unveiled, 29 years after the model’s original launch. The car uses the brand new CMF-B platform that can be fully used for electrification also. The new European standards for CO2 emissions, which will apply from 1 January 2020, are strict enough to see every motor manufacturer fully invest in CO2 reduction. Apart from an upgraded three-cylinder petrol engine, now using a 1-litre capacity and good for 95hp plus a 130hp four-cylinder version of 1.3 litre capacity, the well-known 1.5 litre Blue dCi (85hp) also retains its place under the new Clio’s bonnet.

But most important news certainly was the hybrid Clio E-Tech. The well-known 1.6-litre 16V motor is used as a base, but now mated to not one but two electric engines. First of these is purely meant to accelerate - fully electric under all circumstances. In addition, a second, larger electric engine is placed on the gearbox, which can be used on all of its gears. This electric engine can drive the Clio, but it can also work together with the petrol engine when the driver demands more power. The two together deliver a capacity of 130hp. In some markets, Renault also supplies 115hp Blue dCi versions as well as the non-turbo’d Sce 65 and 75 versions.

Since the launch of the new Clio, the GT-Line is now named R.S. Line while the luxurious Initiale Paris versions are also there, with interiors in beige or black. The Clio has been given three new paint colours also: Orange Valencia, Brun Vison and Bleu Celadon.

Remarkably and for the first time in its existence, the new Clio has become fractionally smaller in terms of its length as its predecessor. This while interior space has increased at the same time. The most striking example of this is that luggage volume has grown to 391 litres while the car now comes with 26 litres of storage compartments within its interior.

Inside the car it will strike you that everything here looks of higher quality, while it is certainly not blunt. The use of materials and the finishing is better again. From its entry level, the new Clio comes with fully digitalized instrumentation. Four new control switches are located on the dashboard, just left of the steering column. The operation of the audio system, located behind the steering wheel, has also been fully redesigned.

The new Clio comes at 50kg less weight than its predecessor. Under the Easy Drive banner Renault is applying autonomous driving functions for the first time in this segment in addition. The TCe 130 version with automatic transmission also uses adaptive cruise control, which can fully stop the car and make it accelerate automatically when traffic jams come up. Another new feature is a 360-degree camera, which can be used for automatic parking. Among others, as this camera also forms part of the Highway & Traffic Jam Companion, making Level 2 functions for autonomous driving another possibility. The new Renault Clio will enter showrooms as a hatchback in the middle of 2019. Unfortunately estate versions will no longer be available.

Two renewed engines are now on offer: the non-turbo SCe 75 and the new 1-litre with turbo. The latter is called TCe 95 and now offers 5hp more than the existing 0.9-litre version did. These updated engines give better performances with lower emissions. From now on the TCe-variant is recognizable by its air intake on the left-hand rear wing. The front has undergone some changes also, with the daytime running lights now relocated to the headlights. The rear lights have been restyled, too and the same goes for the car’s bumpers. The new Easy Link multimedia system is now fully integrated into the interior.