Photo : In the communication surrounding the updated Clio V, the Esprit Alpine with the E-Tech full hybrid 145 powertrain in particular comes to the fore. Besides the new front, the car is characterised by the contrasting blades in the bumper. (Location: www.chambresdelatour.be)
After more than 30 years, the Clio is still one of Renault's best-selling models. And the brand naturally wants to hold on to that position. Recently, the popular car underwent a clearly visible facelift. This makes the Clio look fresh again for the coming years. Engine-wise, the emphasis is even more on the hybrid variant.
Renault unveiled the revamped Clio in April at no less than five locations in Europe. The first driving impression could be gained from Zaventem airport near Brussels.
At first sight, it is immediately clear that this is the updated edition of the fifth-generation Clio. The front has been given a substantial makeover. The new logo and significantly wider grille immediately catch the eye. But that is not all. With the Clio, Renault says goodbye to the C-shaped headlights that house the daytime running lights. The new Clio is the first Renault to incorporate daytime running lights in the bumper in the form of a half Renault logo. We are also going to see this design language on a number of other new and updated models. Think, for example, of the Scenic and the new Rafale.
Renault is now also launching the Esprit Alpine label on the Clio. It replaces the R.S-Line. Specifically, the so-called blades in the front bumper are also different in shape. They come in a contrasting colour. The Esprit Alpine has specifically shaped alloy wheels with a blue accent around the logo. At the rear, we see lighting units that remain the same in terms of shape, but are made more transparent. The rear bumper creates a wider appearance, mainly because of the black grilles on the outside. Renault applies this element to all trim levels: Evolution, Techno and Esprit Alpine. The latter is again recognisable at the rear by the diffuser-like underside of the bumper in the same colour as the blades at the front. The basic body shape has remained the same.
The engine programme is comprehensive, but is not the same in all countries. There is a turbocharged SCe 65, the TCe 100 LPG and the dCi 100, but the main focus is still on the 3-cylinder TCe 90 and the E-Tech full hybrid 145. Both engines were already available in the Clio. They can be combined with the three aforementioned equipment variants (not in France as Evolution E-Tech full hybrid 145). In the communication, the focus is on the hybrid powerplant, which basically uses a turbo-free 1.6-litre petrol engine. Through extremely clever electronics, this engine is coupled, as we know, to two electric motors each of which performs its own task. In built-up areas, the Clio drives purely electrically for the most part, which of course saves a lot of fuel. Despite the fact that the petrol engine has no turbo, this Clio offers its driver considerable performance. In fact, the electric motors take over the function of the turbo. At full acceleration, the larger of the two electric motors assists the petrol engine, making maximum power and torque available. The nice combination does its job quietly. Overall, the Clio gives the feeling of a bigger car.
In the interior, Renault plays with materials. In the Esprit Alpine, the dashboard is covered in a dark grey striped fabric with a dark area on the far right bearing the French tricolour. It is also incorporated in the outer edge of the seats and in the stitching of the steering wheel.
The standard equipment of the Esprit Alpine features a 9.3-inch Easy Link multimedia system in the form of a standing tablet and an instrument cluster consisting of a 10-inch landscape display. The other variants leave the factory with a 7-inch instrument cluster and a similarly sized 7-inch TFT display for dashboard functions.
What is striking is that the Clio is a car that almost draws you in, plus it feels and drives extremely predictable especially as a complete Esprit Alpine with the hybrid powertrain. In terms of chassis, no significant changes have been made.