Renault is back for a proper stab at the hotly-contested B-segment hatch market and it's armed with a charismatic new car that looks to be right at the cutting edge.
Something of a palace revolt has taken place in the design department, the new Clio boldly embracing Renault's new design language in a fashion that the carmaker describes as “simple, sensuous and warm.”
Three models are on offer, starting with the well-priced but under-endowed 55kW 1.2-litre naturally aspirated Authentique at R149 900.
The real technological excitement surrounds the two 1.2-litre turbo models, which start at the R169 900 mark.
Renault doesn't mention the cubic capacity of this engine anywhere in its information pack, but some digging revealed that it is in fact a 900cc unit. But don't let the size of this three-cylinder motor put you off - it packs a big punch for its size with outputs of 66kW at 5250rpm and 135Nm at 2500rpm, of which 90 percent is available from 1650rpm. In fact, some of the combustion technologies inside it were derived from F1.
Add an idle-stop system to the mix and the little Renault boasts a claimed combined fuel consumption figure of just 4.5 litres per 100km. As for performance, Renault says that the 66kW motor will launch the Clio from 0-100km/h in 13.78 seconds at Gauteng altitudes.
That's far from brisk, but in a small hatch with a youthful spirit like the Clio's projecting, we'd imagine style and interior gadgets would score more brownie points.
On this subject, the Clio comes to the party well-stocked.
TECH SAVVY
For music lovers, all models have a 'smart' Bass Reflex system integrated into the loudspeakers of the front doors with the aim of providing the volume and listening enjoyment of a 30-litre home speaker enclosure.
Opt for the Expression or Dynamique and you also get a Media Nav multimedia system, complete with a seven-inch touch-screen, integrated navigation, Bluetooth connectivity and audio streaming.
Back to the bottom of the range, the Authentique doesn't come with an aircon (it's a R10 000 option) but it does have cruise control, front electric windows, ESP stability control and four airbags.
In addition to the aforementioned multimedia system, the Expression adds 16-inch alloy wheels and a leather-covered steering wheel and gear lever.
Dynamique trim adds 17-inch alloys, a hands-free key-card, automatic headlights and windscreen wipers and rear electric windows.
Glancing at the model mix, the 66kW Expression model appears to offer the best value in the range.
PRICES
55kW Authentique - R149 900
66kW Turbo Expression - R169 900
66kW Turbo Dynamique - R179 900
Included is a five-year/150 000km warranty and three-year/45 000km service plan.