WITH A REPLACEMENT FOR THE
Clio not due for another two
years, Renault needed to keep
the evergreen model in contention with a
lot of new rival superminis that are soon to
appear or are just over the horizon. So it’s
got its retaliation in early. Cue Clio III …
Immediately obvious are the new
headlamp clusters and frontal styling
inspired by the forthcoming, mould-
breaking Vel Satis. But this is much more
than a facelift – nearly half the car’s body
and structural components are new.
What’s more, with all the various engine
options, equipment levels, three or five
doors and a choice of transmissions, there
are, it says here, more than 5100
combinations of new Clio.
Inside, too, there are major changes in
style, practicality and notably finish to the
“soft-feel” facia. Big, clear dials are
housed in a double-arched binnacle, while
the centre console has been redesigned
to house a satellite navigation screen and
climate control on posher models.
Our “Expression” test car didn’t even have
air con, but it’s the underbonnet view that’s
special. Under there is a new 1.5 diesel with
the same fuel injection/common-rail system
that’s also making its appearance under
Ford Fiesta and Peugeot 206/307 bonnets.
This is Renault’s own engine of course,
and the company claims that it’s the most
abstemious thing on four wheels, currently
available – except for hybrids like the
Honda Insight.
After conducting our five mpg tests on a
well run-in car, we have to disagree – in
Renault Clio - AA
www.theaa.com/.../pdf/.../RENAULT_CLIO...
The Automobile Association
January 2002. Renault Clio. AT A GLANCE considering size, price and rivals ... drive front-wheel drive, 5-speed manual;. 4-speed stepped automatic with torque.
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