Renault Clio PR; Review

 

My 10-year-old daughter's knowledge of cars recently surprised me, she knows a lot more about the makes and models than I gave her credit for.

Santa provided her with a book for Christmas titled Brainbusters, a compendium of puzzles and brain teasers. In one section, labelled cars, she had to match the marques of cars with model types; interestingly, she matched them all up perfectly. One of them was Renault's Clio, appropriately, at that time, I had one of the recently-facelifted models up my driveway for evaluation.

The Clio is available here in three variations (special order V6 Sport aside); topping the line-up is the 2-litre, three-door, RS182 which is listed at $37,990, the mid-spec 1.6-litre Privilege comes in at $27,990, while the entry-level 1.4-litre model, named the Expression is priced at $21,990 (auto $23,990). Both the Privilege and Expression are five-door models.

The test car was the Privilege, and even with the facelift it retains its cheeky look and the changes don't affect its design function, although the upgrade's emphasis has been on creating a quieter car with a brighter look. The interior trim has been changed with light grey seat fabrics blending with both grey and black plastics.

Throughout the interior, there is a huge emphasis on practicality. Everything is laid out well ergonomically.

There is ample storage space with handy pockets and cubby holes located strategically. The rear luggage section is covered by a security blind which exposes a reasonably healthy cargo area which Renault claim can accommodate up to 252 litres of luggage or 595 litres with the rear seats folded forward.

Interior comfort is fine. The Clio will hold five adults at a pinch, there are three overshoulder seat belts in the rear, the middle belt is contained cleverly suspending from a ceiling cavity. Rear seating isn't compromised by the under-hatch area. The seats are firm but supportive and leg room is good. Up front the driver gets a good range of seat adjustment, including height.

Renault have specified the Clio with a good amount of safety fitment. Dual air bags with simple passenger side deactivation mechanism, front side air bags and ABS which works on four-wheel-discs are all fitted, while other lesser significant features include anti-whiplash headrests and seat belt load force limiters.

Other specification features include climate control, central locking, electric front windows, electric exterior mirror adjustment, leather-wrapped steering wheel on tilt-adjustable column, and single-CD, AM/FM audio with a steering column-mounted stalk carrying the adjustment controls. In addition to the silver-ringed analogue gauges, a separate mid-facia display shows the radio status, clock and outside temperature, while the tuner and heating and ventilation controls sit just below that for easy access by both the driver or front seat passenger.

Powering the Clio is 16-valve, twin-overhead camshaft engine. It is a reasonably new engine from Renault and is rated at 79kW and 148Nm, which are reasonable outputs for its size. As with most multi-valvers, it is frisky and lively, but it gives its performance in a way where it seems free and unfussed.

The torque output reaches its maximum quite high up the rev band at 3750rpm. That isn't a hindrance, for the gearbox has ratios which match well engine outputs, extracting the best from the narrow, but strong, power band.

Renault label their four-speed gearbox as proactive and it certainly has decisive shift protocols, downshifts are particularly noticeable.

Proactive means a thinking-type gearbox which learns each individual driving style and reacts and shifts accordingly. I found that if you mixed up the way you used the accelerator pedal, or when descending a hill, the gearbox occasionally became confused, changing awkwardly or holding engine revolutions too high. Ordinarily, it is fine, making clean, early shifts (utilising the torque curve), particularly noticeable around town.

On the highway the engine and gearbox are more relaxed, the shift pattern a lot more fluid, and when an overtaking manoeuvre needs to be made a quick flick of a push-button will select third gear and hold it until released. Incidentally, the gearbox has a winter mode which will alleviate wheelspin if starting off on a slippery surface.

As a guide to performance, Renault claim 0-100kmh can be achieved in 10.5sec with a maximum speed of 188kmh. By my stopwatch an acceleration time of 7sec to reach 120kmh from 80kmh is pretty good for an engine which only displaces 1598cc. All of these figures combined make the Clio a spirited mover which doesn't come at the cost of low gearing. At 100kmh in fifth gear, the engine is turning over at 2800rpm, which is about right for an engine of this capacity and automatic transmission.

Nor does its performance come at the cost of excessive fuel consumption. The on board trip computer provided instantaneous readouts of six litres per 100km at a steady 100kmh, with a test trip average of 8.1l/100km. These translate to 47mpg and 35mpg respectively.

The Clio's suspension is a MacPherson strut/trailing arm and torsion beam combination, the spring and damper rates are set up quite soft, but that doesn't compromise handling. Rear end stability feels solid even though there is limited travel given the nature of the beam axle, body roll is also well contained.

Grip is supplied by smallish Michelin Energy tyres (185/55 x 14in) which travel quietly, they do moan a bit under pressure but they keep a strong footprint with the road. If the driver is in a sporty mood the Clio can be flicked with capable handling manners, understeer is kept to a minimum while steering feel is positive.

A family excursion to one of the Peninsula bays meant the Clio was working hard up the hills, yet held in third gear it equipped itself well. With the ever present thought car sickness may be an issue with youngsters on board, I was mindful of pushing too hard through the corners, yet such is the balance of the car in general, both children travelled comfortably. And I guess that sums up the wee Clio in general, it is a good all-rounder, easy to park and manoeuvre yet capable when asked to challenge a big journey.

It is light and nimble, and those who do get to drive one regularly will warm to its honesty and charm. And, in the test car's case, it was painted a beautiful pale green, the colour so striking it came in for considerable comment.

Specifications:

Price: Renault Clio PR, $27,990.

Dimensions: Length, 3811mm; width, 1670mm; height, 1417mm.

Configuration: Four-cylinder transverse, front-wheel-drive, 1598cc, 79kW/5750rpm, 148Nm/3750rpm, four-speed automatic; 1060kg.

Performance: 0-100kmh, 10.5sec; maximum speed, 188kmh.