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Nadine Armstrong22 Nov 2013
REVIEW

Renault Clio 2013: Road Test

The new Clio will change your impressions of French flair forever

Renault Clio Expression TCe90
Road Test

Price Guide (recommended price before statutory & delivery charges): $17,790
Options fitted to test car (not included in above price): Premium Paint $550; Red Interior Package $250; Electric Package $300; Black 16-inch Alloy Wheels $750
Crash rating: Five-star (EuroNCAP)
Fuel: 95 RON PULP
Claimed fuel economy (L/100km): 4.5
CO2 emissions (g/km): 105
Also consider: Ford Fiesta (from $15,825 plus on-road costs); Mazda2 (from $ 15,790 plus ORCs); Mitsubishi Mirage (from $12,990 plus ORCs); Toyota Yaris (from $ 14,990 plus ORCs)

The fourth-generation Renault Clio brings a dose of rally chic to the budding light-car segment. With a sharp entry price and generous kit as standard, it seems that this French hatch is ready to get serious about its place in the Australian market.

The new Clio boasts a competitive model line-up that includes two engine variants and three specification levels -- starting at $16,790 and topping out at $23,290 (plus on-road costs).

Our test car is the mid-spec Clio Expression, which sits between the entry-level Authentique and range-topping Dynamique.

The Authentique TCe90 comes exclusively with the 0.9-litre turbo-petrol three-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual gearbox, generating 66kW and 135Nm. This powertrain offering is also fitted to the mid-grade Expression (as tested), though this model can also be optioned with a higher-output TCe120 unit comprising a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine, that delivers 88kW and 190Nm, and is matched to a six-speed dual-clutch transmission.

The top-shelf Dynamique guise is limited to the 1.2-litre unit and dual-clutch transmission combination only.

The seemingly tame Clio Expression, with its 0.9-litre turbo-petrol triple and five-speed manual gearbox, takes no time to turn on the charm once in the driver’s seat.

The style and tone of the Clio’s interior is seriously upmarket -- it’s a definite departure from the monotony that can be found in this segment. The red and black colour combination in our test car gives a fun and sporty vibe to the Clio. High-shine plastics, splashes of chrome and soft-touch plastics combine seamlessly in creating a premium and modern interior finish.

Equipment for the Expression is of a high standard too. Features include a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, four-speaker audio package with auxiliary and USB input, Bluetooth audio streaming and telephony, cruise control, satnav, and manually-adjustable seats.

Our vehicle was also fitted with the optional $300 Electric Pack which adds rear electric windows, dusk-sensing headlights, rain-sensing wipers, electric folding mirrors and hands-free entry and engine start. Other added extras included $550 Premium Paint, a $250 Red Interior Package, and $750 Black 16-inch alloy wheels.

The Clio offers surprisingly generous passenger accommodation for a car of its size. In short, it’s spacious and comfortable. The driver and front passenger seats are firm and hug you lovingly, but are not so hard as to be bothersome on longer trips.

The centre stack and instrumentation panel are clear and intuitive, adding to already keen ergonomics. Everything falls to hand quite naturally with the exception of the audio and telephone controls which are mounted on a satellite stalk behind the steering wheel. It’s a bulky appendage and, for the most part, is obstructed by the three-spoke leather-clad wheel.

In-cabin storage is of a reasonable level, with several useful storage holes and multiple cup-holders. These are smaller than some in the category, but seem large enough for a small bottle of water or your morning coffee cup.

At the wheel, the fun unfolds. While the French manufacturer’s rally-genes are there in spirit, the Clio has nailed a more malleable stance on the road. It delivers a well-planted driving experience calling upon every bit of the 898cc engine for willing performance.

Engaging full throttle from standstill sees a slow build initially, but as soon as the torque kicks in, and the revs build, the Clio finds confident power through the its well-spaced gear ratios. The five-speed gearbox was a breeze to switch through, and the selector is both light and precise.

When cruising at highway speeds the Clio also performed perfectly, but it is challenged by overtaking requiring a couple of downshifts to up the momentum. Given the Clio would spend most of its time in the city this is not a great issue.

The front-wheel drive Clio rides on a MacPherson strut suspension in the front and a torsion beam arrangement at the rear. The suspension borders on firm, but is very composed on the open road. The steering draws a fine line between effortless and a little too light, although city dwellers will appreciate this when manoeuvring in close confines.

Up back, second-row passengers are treated well. There’s good leg and knee room and the seats offer good comfort and support. Headroom isn’t bad, but the outboard seating positions does see occupant’s heads come a little close to the overhead grab handles.

As safety goes the Clio range achieved excellent marks from EuroNCAP. It’s five-star safety rating comes courtesy of standard safety equipment such as dual front, side and curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution, electronic stability control, front seatbelt pretensioners and three-point seatbelts with seatbelt reminders for all occupants. The rear row also gets top-tether and ISOFIX child-seat mounting points.

After a predominantly urban test route, the three-cylinder Clio Expression returned an average fuel consumption tally of 8.0L/100km. That’s considerably more than the claimed urban cycle figure of 5.6L/100km, and close to the 8.4L/100km average the four-cylinder Clio Expression achieved when we recently pitched it against the new Ford Fiesta.

On the plus side Renault’s competitive light-hatch offering is strengthened with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, as well as 24-hour roadside assistance and capped-price servicing for the first three years.

On balance, the Clio Expression’s competitive equipment list, generous aftersales support and fun-to-drive nature see it perfectly primed to go head-to-head with both light-hatch veterans and sporty newcomers. It’s a great city car that looks fantastic and feels really modern. I’d recommend a test drive to anyone shopping the category and confidently believe it’s one Renault that will change your mind impression of French flair forever.

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