In 15 years, and with only two
generations of cars, Renault has sold a staggering 19 million Clios worldwide.
Now in its third cycle, Renault expects similar results from its beloved
small car.
The new Clio is undeniably bigger than its predecessor boasting 3.99
mm in length, wider at 1.71 mm, taller by 6 mm at 1.49 mm with a wheelbase
increase of 10 mm to 2.57 mm. This, off course, has resulted in a much
larger boot space that is 33 litres roomier than Clio II at 288 litres,
increased to 1.038 with bench seats folded semi-flat (they don't fold
completely flat).
Available in three or five-door versions, the face is straight out of
Renault's current design school incorporating a two-part grille design
between the headlamps. The main focus is on the air intake bellow the
bumper, which will be a feature that is even more pronounced on the Clio
Renaultsport out next year. Particular attention has been paid to the
car's aerodynamics which explains the sweeping bonnet and the extra weight
of 133kg is there to score five-stars on the Euro NCAP safety tests as
well as the maximum four-star rating on child occupant safety.
Interiors are very important to Renault. Design boss, Patrick le Quement
values the importance of the cabin and especially the ease-of-use of the
instruments something that he demonstrated in his previous Touch Design
concept. In this respect, the new Clio scores extremely high with a cabin
space that is roomy, comfortable and an uncluttered instrument panel that
is easy to operate. There is a choice of four interior trim levels, the
top two providing a comfortable 'living room' environment.
The car is available with a choice of three petrol and three diesel engines,
all of which, except the 1.2 petrol, have been improved over the previous
model. On the petrol front there is the 1.2-litre 16V (76 ps - 56 kW),
a 1.4-litre 16V (101 ps - 74 kW) and a 1.6-litre 16V (112 ps - 82 kW)
unit, while the 1.5-litre dCi diesel engine (expected to be the big seller)
comes in a choice of three power outputs: 71 ps (52 kW), 88 ps (65 kW)
and 106 ps (78 kW), all of which are Euro 4 compliant.
The basic structure is shared with the Micra on the Renault-Nissan alliance
B-platform, using the Mégane II suspension and the transmission
options are the same as the Modus, featuring a Renault first in the form
of a robotised gearbox commanded by paddles located behind the steering
wheel which will be available in the first half of 2006.
It cost €923 mn ($1.1 bn) and a mere 28 months to build the new Clio.
Renault will continue producing the old model hoping it will sell as an
entry level Renault, followed by the Modus and then the new Clio.
Since 1998 the B-segment has grown by 6 per cent in Europe alone, in which
Renault is a key player with a 12 per cent market share mainly from the
sale of Clio II. With almost all carmakers dabbling in this lucrative
segment, what is it that makes the new Clio such a popular choice? The
answer is simple: it is stylish, yet subtle in design, well engineered,
super safe and inexpensive, in other words the perfect small-segment car.
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