Renault Reviews

Small SUVs are the next big thing and car makers are literally falling over themselves to get theirs to market.

It's fair to say Renault hasn't set thee world on fire since it returned to the local market in the 1990s.

The hot version of Renault's Clio small hatch is due in Australia by the end of the year.

Having re-established Renault in the passenger car market in Australia, particularly in the high-performance field, the French marque is about to begin an onslaught on the light commercial field.

Away from the performance specials they produce from time to time, it's difficult to think of a French car in the past few years that ticked all the boxes.

Building on its increased sales success in Australia in the last couple of years Renault has announced that the Renault Fluence has been given a mid-life makeover

Renault's history in Australia has been one of seemingly endless comebacks, followed by the French company's slow fading away.

Renault CapturPrice: from $19,990 (estimate)Warranty: 5 years/unlimited kmService interval: 12 months/15,000kmSafety: 4 airbags, ABS, ESP, TCCrash rating: Not testedEngines: 0.9-litre turbo petrol, 66kW/135Nm; 1.2-litre turbo petrol, 88kW/190NmTransmission: 5-speed manual, 6-speed dual-clutch auto; FWDThirst: 4.9L/100km, 113g/km CO2; 5.4/125Dimensions: 4.12m (L), 1.7m (W), 1.56m (H)Weight: from 1101kgSpare: space saver 

The latest player in the light-car class is going to turn heads and market share. Renault's fourth-generation Clio lands with a pair of sweet, fuel-efficient engines and a tight body wrapped in curvaceous panels. A five-year warranty and capped price servicing at $299 annually for three years puts the Clio on a par with the best of this breed.VALUEThe Clio's pricing is almost as sharp as its looks. The Volkswagen Polo and Mazda2 were two key benchmarks for Renault. Accordingly, the Clio kicks off at $16,790 for the Authentique model with 15-inch steel rims, a 900cc turbo engine and a five-speed manual transmission. The Expression range adds alloy wheels, an 18cm touchscreen with updated infotainment and bling for $1000, while the same model with the 1.2-litre four-cylinder and a six-speed dual-clutch transmission is $19,790. It costs $300 to add powered rear windows to the Expression models, but the price includes electric folding side mirrors, auto headlights and wipers and keyless entry.The range maxes out at $23,290 for the Dynamique, which adds climate control aircon, 16-inch alloys and upgraded interior trim. The VW line-up extends from $16,990-$21,490; the Mazdas are $15,790-$18,580.TECHNOLOGYIgnore the engine size -- the Renaults push out more grunt than cubic capacity suggests. The triple-cylinder 900cc engine is manual-only and good for 66kW/135Nm. Those are marginally bigger numbers than the 1.4-litre Polo and performance is lineball at a tick over 12 seconds to 100km/h.Where the Clio's wins is its official fuel consumption: 4.5 litres/100km against 6.1 litres for the VW. Step-up to the 1.2-litre four-cylinder Clio with 88kW/190Nm and the only option is automatic. The sprint time drops to 9.4 seconds and fuel use rises marginally to 5.2L/100km.DESIGNFrench flair is the Clio's strong suit. It relies on contrasting curves to create a taut, athletic look that works from all angles.  It's a five-door car with the lines of a three-door, courtesy of concealed rear door handles and tapering roofline.  The profile also defies convention with a protruding protective plastic strip that runs along the bottom of both doors.It is practical and adds to the car's aesthetic look, with a range of colour-coded highlights. The front end bears the company's new signature styling with a large silver Renault logo set in a gloss black background.  The interior plastics have a texture and feel that should be appreciated -- soft-touch where it counts and durable where needed.SAFETYEuroNCAP awarded the Clio the best supermini of 2012 accolade after the car earned top marks in three of the four categories -- adult and child protection and safety assist features. All models have dual front and side head and chest airbags, stability and traction control and hill-start assist. The ride height is 45mm lower than the outgoing Clio model and the car is 100kg lighter, both of which translate into improved roadholding.DRIVINGThe 900cc three-cylinder engine is essentially the four-cylinder with a piston shaved off it. So power is down around 25 per cent. That makes it a capable urban runabout but it can struggle at low revs on hilly country roads as the engine tries to get back on boost.Brisk use of the manual gearbox helps overcome it on all but the steepest inclines. It would still be an issue on take-off in Sydney's hilly streets with four adults on board -- assuming you can find two adults to fit in the back. Like most light cars, the rear-pew legroom restricts it to occasional use for grown-ups.The 1.2-litre engine is the best option, with the Expression model representing the best value. The dual-clutch auto occasionally hunts for a gear uphill, but it's not meant to be driven like a sports car -- that'll be the duty of the RS model.Noise suppression in both cars is first rate over any surface and the suspension sets a nice balance between compliance and composure. Steering heft is likewise on the money andVERDICTLight car buyers will struggle to find a reason not to consider the Clio. It has the looks, the liveliness and the layout to impress in this market.Renault ClioPrice: from $16,790-$23,290Capped servicing: 3 yearsService intervals: 12 months/15,000kmEngine: 0.9L turbo 3-cylinder, 66kW/135Nm; 1.2L turbo 4-cylinder, 88kW/190NmTransmission: 5-speed manual or 6-speed dual clutch auto, FWDThirst: 4.5L/100km (0.9L engine), 5.2L/100km (1.2L engine)Dimensions: 4.06m (L), 1.73m (W), 1.45m (H)Weight: 1019kg-1104kgSpare: Temporary 

Let's face it, if you're a front runner in Formula 1 you know a thing or two about cars. Renault knows a thing or two about F1... and after more than a century, road cars as well and the cross-pollination between the two has yielded arguably one of the best light cars available in the new Clio.It's actually bigger than the accepted light car size being more like a small car and will no doubt pinch a few sales from that segment too. The Clio sets a benchmark thanks to Renault's expertise in extracting the utmost from current technology and also using a smattering of clever stuff to finish off the job.ENGINES AND TRANSMISSIONSFollowing the engineering trend towards smaller capacity high-tech turbo engines new Clio has either a 900cc three-pot turbo petrol or a 1.2-litre four-pot turbo petrol under the bonnet. Buy the three banger here and it's with a five-speed manual transmission only. Buy the four banger and it's a six-speed dual-clutch manumatic (auto) only.Clear cut but problematic, given the majority of cars in this segment are autos and usually the base or one up from base models. The 0.9 engine (called the TCe90) is good for 66kW/135Nm and 4.5-litres/100km while the 1.2  (TCe120) achieves 88kW/190Nm and 5.2-litres/100km.The larger engine has direct fuel injection while both have a small turbo charger integrated into the inlet manifold for maximum efficiency. Variable valve timing is used on both cams and the engine is actually modular -- the three is pretty much the same as the four with one lung lopped off.STYLENew Clio is slightly larger than its predecessor but lower in ride height and roofline. What's under the skin counts for plenty in a car but so does the outside and in this regard, the Clio is way out in front with arguably the best looking, sassy sheet metal going around on a five door hatch.It features the new 'big eye' Renault front with a large centrally located badge and gorgeous curves all over the place. The rear doors have hidden latches and the car's powerful haunches make it look crouched ready to pounce. Rear styling is just as imposing and distinctive as the front.PRICES AND FEATURESPricing starts at $16,790 for the Authentique TCe90 rising to $23,200 for the TCe120 Dynamique. The Clio has an impressive interior with a large central iPad-like panel housing most of the car's functions including the latest in digital connectivity while the actual instrument pod is highlighted by two eye catching dials with a large digital speedo in between.A number of fascia are used, including a soft feel dash pad with a square hatched texture, textured metallic surfaces on some models and splashes of colour. It really is something else in a sea of sameness from other offerings in the segment. Standard kit is generous and Clio gets a five star safety rating.ECONOMYFuel economy is boosted by auto stop/start on the three pot,  'eco' coaching and eco switch for the driver, active front air vents that close at speed and low rolling resistance tyres among numerous other fuel saving techniques featured. They cut 100kg from Clio's flanks this time around but boosted chassis strength and safety through better design and selective use of high strength steel. The wheels are lighter, the stabiliser bars are hollow, the chassis crossmember is lighter but stronger and they even cut weight from the engine with hollow camshafts.DRIVINGThis is where the new Clio really shines. It rates as one of the most engaging drives for the money and we haven't even got to the high performance RS version yet. That's here soon. Dynamics are sharp and responsive from the simple strut front and torsion beam rear suspension. But then that's to be expected from the company that produces the dynamite Renault Megane RS265.The Clios we drove are engaging to drive, stable, well planted and responsive. You can have a ball without going at ballistic speeds. The 1.2 has plenty of get go while the 0.9 is not bad as a city runabout except for the lack of an auto tranny.We'd go for the TCe120 every day - with the electric pack for an extra $300 that includes electric rear windows, electric boot release, remote unlock and auto wipers and lights. The Clio can be customised inside and out for not much money with a range of wheels, colour options, interior materials and other cool stuff.VERDICTWe would have one in a flash, the mid-range Expression TCe 120 would be our pick at $19790 -- a bargain. Looks great on the driveway, and is something different.