The New Renault Clio -over 3 decades of success

By Imraan Buccus

Since its first introduction the Clio became Renault’s best seller throughout the world, with more than 15 million units sold globally. The history of the Renault Clio in South Africa doesn’t span across three decades, only having made its first appearance in South Africa in 2000 with the second generation of Clio.
And in 2000 the CLIO II was nominated as Car of the Year in SA. The CLIO model offers first class reliability, a claim backed by Independent and in-house studies internationally. Its quality has been applauded by leading global authorities, thanks to its extremely rigorous build quality making it one of the most reliable cars in the B-segment.

It continuously delivers on offering a high value proposition, with its great comfort, handling,
engine and safety credentials, as well as a host of features generally associated with C-
segment vehicles.

Over the years, Renault has succeeded in preserving the DNA of this star city car, now offering a fifth generation of Clio. Even more contemporary, more athletic, the Clio V takes up assets of the four previous generations who built the saga:

From the first Clio, it has “everything great”. Like the very first Clio, Clio V has borrowed technologies from vehicles in the higher segments.
From Clio II, it has retained the very high standards of habitability and comfort.
Like Clio III, it has increased dimensions for perceived quality.
From Clio IV, it has inherited a strong design, which has also inspired the entire recent Renault range.
The Clio V continues the tradition of perfectly safe vehicles adapted to the times, accredited with a 5-STAR EuroNCAP safety rating.

The Clio V continues the tradition of perfectly safe vehicles adapted to the times, accredited with a 5-STAR EuroNCAP safety rating. The Renault Clio model has proven to be a resounding success within the local car market since its initial introduction in 2000, with over 76,700 units sold.

To think that over 34,800 Clio IV vehicles were retailed in SA since 2013. This generation of Clio was embraced by the vehicle industry and highly celebrated globally with a string of prestigious nominations:

2012 Golden Steering Wheel Award, Germany – “Small Cars” category
“Best Production” Car at the 2012 Paris Motor Show
European Car of The Year Finalist 2013
Top 3 “Most Beautiful Car of 2012” Awards
2013 World Design Car of The Year Finalist

Th new Clio V is phenomenal in every way, boasting an exterior evolution and interior revolution.

The Renault Clio V upholds and builds on the inherent strengths of the model: –

Design

New Clio is instantly distinguished by a completely renewed modern design, which is undeniably striking.

Life on board

An elevated experience within the New Clio’s driver-orientated cockpit offers next- level comfort and convenience.

Smart Technologies

A range of innovative equipment, including a 9.3” Easy Link infotainment touchscreen, multi-sense driving modes, park distance control, and cruise control enable a superior driving experience.

Safety

New Clio boasts top safety levels with active and passive safety features which aid the driver for a safer driving experience, with features such as Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Auto High Beam Control (HBC).

Performance

A responsive new 1.0L turbo engine yields an impressive 74kW.

SEDUCTIVE STYLING

New Clio now has a more modern sculpted design, for renewed appeal.

From the outset, the New Clio exudes dynamic and attractive styling marked by its sensual lines, dynamic profile, sculpted sides and assertive presence. The sculpted side panels are extended to the front wings and the roof is lower for a perfect body/ glass surface balance, giving the impression of a coupe-like design.

With its finessed finishes, it combines modernity and robustness with its broader and raised radiator grille, and signature C-shaped LED Daytime Running Lamps (DRLs) and Headlamps. With its broadened shoulders, the updated rear styling gives the new Clio a more imposing look, with larger LED rear lights built into the tailgate. The finely integrated chrome finishes and the concealed rear door handles give the Clio a feel of elegance, and a coupe-like profile.

The New Clio is more compact, more aerodynamic and lighter than the previous generation. In spite of the slightly smaller dimensions, the Clio V offers more spaciousness.

An exterior evolution of note – Although instantly recognisable as a Clio, 100% of the parts are NEW.

SENSATIONAL DRIVE

The Clio is equipped with an entirely new 1.0 TCe 100 Petrol Engine.

The 3-cylinder turbo offers 74kW of power and 160Nm of torque, an improvement of 8kW and 20Nm vs. Clio IV, with CO2 emissions of 132g/ 100km. It also takes advantage of the latest technological developments to lower fuel consumption by 10%, which puts it at the highest level of the market. New Clio yields fuel consumption from only 5.7L/ 100km* (*Combined fuel cycle).

Thanks to its dynamic chassis, and its direct and precise steering, a more intuitive driving experience is guaranteed. The suspension and soundproofing have also been upgraded for the comfort of all, and then there’s the audio system with its 6 speakers offering a rich ad immersive sound experience, adding to the comfort of the drive.

The Clio V is also equipped with keyless entry and keyless ignition, by means of a Renault Smart key card.

SUPERIOR SAFETY

Enjoy 5-star safety with the New Clio.

The Clio provides the most modern and effective active and passive safety systems, including Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Renault LED Pure Vision Headlights, Parking Sensors (Front* & Rear), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), combined with Emergency Brake Assist (EBA). The reinforced structure of the seating and high efficiency front airbags, side airbags, pressure sensor to detect impact, seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters in the front and rear side seats, seat belt reminder warning with detection, whiplash headrests and ISOFIX seat anchors all contribute to the stringent safety levels of New Clio. Its clear why more than 15 million units have sold globally so far.

The new platform offers an enhanced passenger compartment and energy absorption zones, with 6 airbags** as standard:- an adaptive driver airbag that modulates its deployment according to the position of the driver’s seat, a passenger airbag, thorax basin side airbags, and curtain airbags in the front and the back.

*Intens Option Pack

**Model specific

STANDARD PEACE OF MIND

As is standard across Renault’s entire product range, the New Renault Clio Model range comes with a 5-year/150 000km mechanical warranty and a 6-year anti-corrosion warranty. Services take place at 15 000km intervals, and a standard 2-year/30 000km service plan applies.

EXTERIOR COLOURS

New Clio V is available in 6 colour variants:

Metallic: Flame Red, Mercury, Titanium Grey, Diamond Black.
Non-Metallic: Glacier White, Urban Grey

The New Renault Clio range also assumes the latest nomenclature to denote the range walk with LIFE representing the entry spec, ZEN the mid spec and INTENS the highest model spec.

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