7 February 2011
Renault, the quiet little achiever couldn't have asked for a more promising start to 2007. Firstly thanks to some resourceful negotiating Renault's New Zealand distributors have secured the third generation Clio (Clio III) much earlier than what we kiwis have had to wait for the brand's previous models. Additionally their other new arrival, the face-lifted Scenic Phase II has just won the compact car class in the AA's prestigious Motoring Excellence Awards.
Ordinarily New Zealand's consignment of Renault product must be ordered along with the Australian market's allocations; but before a vehicle is allowed to go on sale across the ditch it must first comply with the Aussie specific ADR (Australian Design Regulation) compliance.
This can extend the wait for getting new European models into this country unnecessarily. The Clio III - at least until it has it has been given ADR approval - is circumventing the process slightly and being sourced for New Zealand via Asia, undercutting our neighbours by at least six months.
Externally the Clio III offers distinct European looks, arguably working best in three-door form for which the cheeky marketing tagline 'sexy in a French-made kind of way' seems quite apt. The added practicalities of the five-door versions though will no-doubt be the clincher for most purchasers.
Interior appointments make use of typical Renault design, while the looks are funky, switchgear isn't intuitive and may take some time to familiarise yourself with the idiosyncratic controls before you're entirely comfortable. Improvements to build quality are a benefit however, as is maximised leg and knee room for front occupants due to the dash being located further forward than in the Clio's predecessors.
Specification is impressive and cruise control with speed limiter function, multi function trip computer and audio controls mounted on the leather bound steering wheel all offered as standard fitment.
The Clio is based on the Nissan/Renault Alliance-developed 'B' platform, the same used in Nissan's Micra. Following in Renault's tradition of safety the Clio III is the eighth model from French manufacturer to achieve five out five stars in European NCAP crash testing; it also received four out of five stars for child occupancy protection making this small car an attractive proposition for safety-conscious young families. Front, side and curtain airbags are standard across the range, and special anti-submarining airbags in the three-door's front seating resists the seats from plunging forward in an impact.
An 82kW, 1.6 litre petrol engine is the only engine option currently; the three-door is available with a four-speed automatic only, while the five-door gives you the choice of a manual. Though the 1.6 litre motors the little Clio along with suitable aplomb, the automatic variants shift patterning in our opinion feels slightly erratic around town, making the manual five-door the pick for our money. For those wanting a diesel option or a sportier power unit, a diesel is expected, and the critically acclaimed Clio RS197 a certainty - but not until those slow pokes across the Tasman start placing their first orders.
On the road the Clio III's handling is crisp and the Macpherson strut front and torsion-beam rear suspension seemed well-sorted, we felt a slight disconnection between car and driver is evident however, as a result of overly-assisted brakes and electric steering both of which could have been more communicative.
The Clio III is priced competitively offering an air of style and specification level not commonly found in smaller cars and starts at $29,990 for the three-door or five-door manual. The Automatic five-door adds $2000.
Albeit smaller in stature, the sharp handling, F1-inspired RS197 is expected to give rival hot hatches like the Mazda MPS or Golf GTi a run for their money, both in on-road performance and price when it arrives later in the year, its expected RRP is around the $43,000 mark.
The face-lifted Scenic (Scenic Phase II) that wowed the judges at the 2007 Motoring Excellence awards is available in five or seven seat configuration, it improves on the communication levels for the driver over it's smaller sibling and impressed with its road holding.
The supremely roomy cabin is class-leading with plenty of storage facilities and the large glasshouse delivers plenty of visibility making it a very easy to drive vehicle.
Again, front, side and curtain airbags are standard, as is an Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and the Scenic has received the nod of approval from Euro NCAP testing with the maximum five stars.
The 2.0 litre, 98kW four cylinder doesn't provide the sporting acceleration of some of its competitors but it's a much more versatile vehicle overall; throw in standard reversing aid sensors, rain-sensing wipers and MP3 compatible 6-disc in dash CD shuttle and the Scenic's features and convenience outweigh the $42,990 starting price.