Impressions
New electronics democratized
Five generations
It’s an impressive line-up: five generations of the Renault Clio. The first of them harks back to 1990 since when some 15 million Clios have been sold worldwide. It makes a brand new version important automotive news. Losange Magazine took to Portugal to drive two of the latest variants.
After the first three generations of Renault Clio, the now previous fourth version created more emotion. To most customers, this made the car’s looks the main reason for purchasing it. From the first full year of the Clio IV (introduced 2013), more copies were sold every year as a result. Since that year, the Clio is also the number 1 seller in the European B segment.
Platform
The emotion in the car’s new design is retained and that’s why the new Clio looks like an evolution of the previous model. But that’s just its appearance. The car’s chassis is completely new and is now, among other things, prepared for the application of electrified drive lines and modern driver assistance systems also.
The car’s exterior both sporty as serious, particularly at the front. It has shrunk 12mms in its overall length and 48mms in its height without sacrificing any interior space. The overall styling has been preserved, except for the small third side window that has now disappeared. The rear door handles are still placed into the window frame, but they feel more solid now. The brightwork around the side windows brings the car’s appearance to a higher level, while the bottoms of the sills have now received chrome finishers with the Clio-name in it.
Daytime running lights
A range of new alloy wheels and hubcaps has been designed for the new Clio. Depending on the equipment level, the compact Renault comes with 15-, 16- or 17” diameter wheels. All versions receive full LED headlights, which illuminate 70 metres in front of the car. Light-wise, the only difference among the various versions is in the daytime running lights. The basic variants use a straight strip of LEDs, while the more expensive models come with full C-shaped lighting arrangements. The car’s bonnet is more voluminous, while in their rest position, the windscreen wipers disappear behind the bonnet’s edge.
Depending on the equipment level, the Clio comes with specific characteristics. The Initiale Paris, for example, uses more brightwork on its radiator grille and is further characterized by the now well-known alloys with their stylistically incorporated Eiffel Tower figure. The R.S. Line is the successor of the GT-Line and can now be recognized by its honeycomb radiator grille, chrome inlays on the front wings, a different type of alloy wheels and various body trimmings in a matt dark grey finish. And although it is less extended than with the Mégane and Talisman, the new Clio’s LED rear light clusters also run towards to the centre.
Revolution
Over to the car’s interior. Where the outside evolved, a real revolution took place inside the new Clio. Not just in its interior design, but also in the chosen materials and finishes. When the Clio IV was facelifted, Renault made the necessary improvements already; the manufacturer continues to do so now. The seats have been proportioned differently, with longer supports to better accommodate the upper legs. The newly designed backrests also provide more support, but at the same time they are less bulky and thus offer extra space for the rear passengers.
Where possible, it has been tried to create extra space in the front, too. The steering column has been reduced, providing more knee room for the driver. The design of the centre console has also been optimized. In addition, more soft materials are now used for better absorbing abilities when parts of the body come into contact with them.
MySense
The Clio’s new steering wheel offers a better view on the instruments of the so-called Smart Cockpit. All of the instruments are fully digital and initially, all Clios will receive a 7” screen, although a 10” version with integrated navigation system is being prepared for later in the year. The layout of the instruments varies with the Eco or Sport modes, but can also be adjusted individually through MySense. Whether you like a rev counter; an analogue or digital speedometer – these are all possibilities. This system also allows you to choose from eight different instrument lighting colours. Everything can be set on the digital touchscreen, but right below it you will also find a number of piano keys for immediate access to the same functions. An induction charger for the mobile phone is another new gadget, found at the bottom of the centre console and placed directly under the switches for the climate control system.
Easy Link
Depending on the equipment level, buyers can choose from four different multimedia systems. The ‘Life’ entry-level version comes with R&Go, which can be linked to a smartphone for music and navigation. From the ‘Zen’-version on, there is a centrally mounted 7” screen with or without navigation system plus the 9.3” top-of-the-range screen that works similarly to a tablet. R-Link has now been evolved into Easy Link, with mapping sourced from TomTom, although address searched go online via Google. There is also the MyRenault app. This app can, for example, set a route, which is taken over by the navigation system when entering the car. In short, the Clio democratizes modern electronics. And then we haven’t even mentioned the semi-autonomous driving functions that are available. Initially these are only available together with the 1.3-litre engine with EDC automatic. It reads traffic signs, keeps a fixed distance from predecessors and slows down in traffic jams. With the arrival of the new Clio, these technologies are coming to Renault.
Three engines
Engine-wise, there is the necessary news, too. Three engines are available from the start, with the known 0.9-litre three-cylinder now being upgraded to a capacity of 1 litre. Power increases from 90- to 100hp and the torque figure climbs to 160Nm. It is immediately noticeable that this engine is more powerful, performs better and is also considerably quieter. All this increases the feeling that the Clio has even matured better. Later this year an X-tronic CVT automatic transmission will be available in addition to the manual five-speed gearbox. There will also be an LPG version with a more favourable CO2 emission figure. The petrol version already has a remarkably low emission of 99 grams per kilometre, which is set to become even lower.
Dual clutch
The second engine available is the TCe 130, known to produce its great torque of 240 Nm at 1,600rpm in several other Renault models. The front wheels are driven by an EDC-7 dual-clutch gearbox as a standard. The machine really doesn’t make you feel it shifts and due to the overall silence on board, this engine itself also doesn’t make you hear that the automatic ‘box changes gear. Still, this does happen as soon as the driver uses the flippers behind the steering wheel manually. This immediately increases the dynamics and ensures optimum use of the sporting characteristics, especially in a combination with the R.S. Line version, which comes with a somewhat stiffer set-up of the chassis. The wheel suspension of the Clio is also fully redesigned. The R&D department has worked hard to filter out even more unevennesses, so that comfort is now noticeably increased.
Company car drivers
The 1.5 Blue dCi diesel will of course remain mated to a manual six-speed gearbox. It remains a very popular option for company car drivers. It’s available in both 85- and 115hp versions, although not for all of the markets. The diesel has a remarkably low CO2 emission figure of 94g/km.
And that’s not even all. In mid-2020, the Clio E-Tech will be equipped with a hybrid powertrain. This variant will receive a new version of the 16-valve 1.6-litre petrol engine without turbo. It will be mated to no less than two electric motors, powered by 1.2kWh battery. The first electric motor only serves to accelerate from standstill. From second gear, the second, larger electric motor takes it over. This allows the car to drive fully electrically at short distances.
Large engine
At the same time, the large engine can support the petrol power source when maximum performance is required. Although a power output of 130hp was promised in Geneva in March, this is not mentioned anymore. Renault wants to stay below the 1.3 litre TCe level though. CO2 emission figures are also not mentioned, although Renault says they will remains below the figures of the diesel version.
The new Clio has even more new features. There is of course a Bose sound system with nine rather than seven speakers. And where the bass box used to take up a large volume in the luggage compartment, it is now hung up behind the left rear wing. Outside air is used to the max, saving a lot of space and weight also. In addition, luggage space has grown to a whopping 391 litres, the largest volume in its segment. The new Clio is ready to go!
En détail...
Renault Clio V TCE 100 / TCE 130
Specifications
Engine:
3/4-cylinder petrol, bore x stroke 72,2 x 81,3/72,2 x 81,2 mm, capacity 999/1.333 cc. Max power 100/130 pk at 5.000 rpm, torque 160/240 Nm at 2.750/1.600 rpm, compression ratio 9,5:1/10,0:1. Turbo, six speed manual gearbox/EDC-7.
Suspension:
Front pseudo McPherson with shock absorbers, triangular lower support arm and stabilizer bar, rear: semi rigid axle. Ventilated disc brakes at the front (diameter 258 - 280 mm), single discs at the rear (diameter 260 mm). ABS with emergency stop. Tyres: 185/65R15, 195/55R16, 205/45R17.
Dimensions:
Length 4,050 mm, width 1,798 mm, height (empty) 1,440 mm, wheelbase 2,583 mm, track front 1,509 mm, track rear 1,494 mm. Luguage compartment 391 - 1.069 litres. Turning cycle 10,4 mètres.
Weight:
Empty 1.178/1,248 kg, pay load 425 kg, gross vehicle weight 1.603/1.673 kg, trailer weight (braked) 900 kg. Fuel tank capacity 42 liter.
Performances:
Max. speed 187/200 km/h, acceleration 0-100 km/h in 11,8/9,0 seconds. Fuel consumption 4,4/5,2 litres per 100 km, CO2-emission 100/119 g/km.