NEW RENAULT CLIO III
ALL THE INGREDIENTS TO BECOME THE NEW BENCHMARK
Renault released the latest generation Hatchback of the best-selling New Renault Clio III. The newcomers open up a new chapter of the Clio story which began in 1990 and which has seen the model go from strength to strength ever since. Renault Clio has long appealed to a large number of loyal customers across the world: over a period of 20 years, almost 10 million Clios have been sold in more than 100 countries.
New Renault Clio incorporates the same dynamic styling cues which first appeared on the front-end of New Renault Megane. Inside, the emphasis is on finish quality and comfort. An attractive line-up of sporting versions is available from launch. These include the brand new Renault Clio GT, as well as several versions of Clio Renault Sport. In addition to its racy looks, New Renault Clio GT is equipped with a bespoke suspension package and is available with a choice of high performance engines.
New Renault Clio features the same long-acclaimed qualities which enabled Clio III to secure benchmark status in its class. Its comfort, handling, power train range and safety credentials, plus appointments worthy of bigger saloons from the next segment up, ensure a versatile, successful package. New Renault Clio’s extremely rigorous build quality makes it one of the most reliable cars of its segment.
Clio III benefits from first class reliability, a claim backed up by both independent and in-house studies. For example, the latest report (2008) released by ADAC, Germany’s leading authority in this domain, puts Clio III at an ‘excellent’ level of quality after one, two and three years of use. The model’s reliability is also highlighted by the findings of the CSI survey carried out in France by JD POWER. This survey measures the satisfaction of owners who have had their vehicle 2½ years on average and covers the car itself, as well as associated services, More than 80 per cent of Clio III owners reported that they were fully satisfied
New Renault Clio: «the small car with big car attributes»
New Renault Clio delivers a C-segment performance / equipment package for the price of a hatchback from the next segment down. It especially targets young, one-car families looking for a compact family hatchback which offers the best value for money in terms of performance and equipment. In 2008, Renault Clio III’s share of the European small car market was 7.24 per cent, with almost 321,000 cars sold, an increase of 0.4 points over 2007. Clio III also topped the B-segment sales charts in France with a market share of 13.9 per cent.
The petrol line-up features five powerplants: the 1.2 16V 75hp (55kW), the 1.2TCe 100 (74kW), the 1.6 16V 110hp (82kW), & the 1.6 16V 128hp (94kW). Two of these petrol engines qualify for the Renault eco² signature.
New Renault Clio GT, a more purposeful personality
The New Renault Clio range includes the new 1.6 16V 128hp engine which is notably available for the GT version. Maximum power is 128hp (94kW) at 6,750rpm, with peak torque standing at 155Nm at 4,250rpm. This normally-aspirated power plant is responsive and delivers outstanding performance: with this new engine under the bonnet, New Clio Hatchback accelerates from standstill to 100kph in 9.3 seconds. Fuel consumption, however, is a low 6.9 litres / 100km (equivalent to 160g of CO2 / km) thanks to specific tuning and the fact that it drives through a six-speed manual gearbox.The 1.6 16V 128 engine has been developed from the 1,598cc petrol engine. The majority of components are shared with the Twingo Renault Sport engine. The additional power and torque stems from several modifications:
Styling: New Renault Clio GT can be recognized by its exclusive Malta Blue body colour and expressive, racy lines. It sits squarely on its “Dark Anthracite” Aluminium alloy wheels, while its more assertive front end features a gloss black grille and distinctive black headlamp masks. The lines of the sills point to the performance of the GT version's specific suspension. Meanwhile, the twin exhaust tailpipes and rear lip spoiler underline New Renault Clio GT's undeniable sports looks. Inside, eye-catching sporty details include drilled aluminum pedal covers and extra side support for the seats, as seen on New Clio Renault Sport, plus GT-bagging for the front seats.
Suspension: Renault Sport Technologies' engineers have paid special attention to ensure that
New Renault Clio GT's chassis combines first class dynamic ability with a comfortable ride. The stiffness of the front springs and the calibration of the front dampers have been updated by 15 per cent compared to the previous version. The variable-rate coil springs at the rear are 15 per cent stiffer, too, and the new rear dampers feature bigger diameter rods. These solutions ensure enhanced control of body movement and more precise cornering without detracting from comfort. To counter body roll, the front anti-roll bar diameter has been increased from 20.5 to 21mm, while the rear suspension is equipped with the same stiffer bushes as New Clio Renault Sport. The directional stability of the rearend has been made more precise by curbing of parasitic movements. New Renault Clio GT's power steering is also more direct for swifter response and greater driving pleasure.
• Powertrains: the GT version is available with engine of 1.6 16V 128 (exclusive to New Renault Clio GT), with a six-speed gearbox.
Safety: a priority for Renault, and a self-evidence for New Renault Clio
The New Renault Clio family benefits from Renault's extensive expertise when it comes to active and passive safety. The combination of New Renault Clio's suspension and a range of driver aids (ABS with electronic brake force distribution, emergency brake assist, ESC, traction control, engine torque overrun regulation) ensure an outstanding level of active safety. Meanwhile, Clio III Hatchback obtained the maximum five-point rating in the crash tests carried out by the independent body EuroNCAP. New Renault Clio is built on the same platform and is equipped with the third-generation Renault System for Restraint and Protection(SRP3), a pledge of uncompromising protection for all occupants.
Responsive, environmentally-friendly engines
The range of engines and transmissions has been carefully selected to bring out the best in New
Renault Clio's dynamic performance. These powertrains are respectful of the environment, too, thanks notably to: 1) a choice of dCi engines, two of which emit less than 120g of CO2/km (e.g. the dCi 85: 117g of CO2/km) and the availability of a particulate filter for a certain number of them, 2) the TCe 100, which boasts the lowest CO2 emissions of any 100hp petrol engine, 3) a 1.2 16V engine capable of running on alternative fuels, namely an E85 bioethanol compatible version. The versions of New Renault Clio powered by the 1.2 16V 75, TCe and dCi 70/85/105 engines meet all three of the criteria necessary to qualify for the Renault eco² signature.
