Finely ground
With the facelifted Renault Clio, the news can mainly be found in the visual, but we still like to take the opportunity to go out with the compact Frenchman again. Secretly, its hybrid powertrain has also been fine-tuned over the years.
What exactly is new about this Renault Clio?
Very briefly, that is his nose, but there is more to it. Renault thinks it’s time for a major technical design update and provides the Clio with a front that we will see on all new Renaults from now on. The tighter front bumper with large, more or less vertical daytime running lights are an important ingredient of the new Renault family face, which appears with this car for the first time on a production model. The larger grille is also part of this, as is the new logo. By the way, the photos show the sporty front bumper of the Techno and Esprit Alpine versions. The simpler Evolution gets a less pronounced, more rounded front bumper, as sister model Mitsubishi Colt also has. The Esprit Alpine version is new and succeeds the E-Tech Engineered in the Clio Hybrid. That in turn was the successor to the RS-Line, as the sporty version on non-hybrids was called until the very end. Complicated, but we’ll just deal with it.
So ‘Esprit Alpine’ is not a real hot hatch?
That’s right. It’s about appearances, but for both the exterior and the interior. As far as the powertrain is concerned, there are two choices in the Netherlands with the new Clio: a three-cylinder turbo with 90 hp and a manual six-speed gearbox, and the now equally well-known E-Tech Hybrid version. It has 145 hp and is still linked to a complicated hybrid system with two electric motors, one with two gears, and an automatic four-speed gearbox with straight teeth and no clutch or torque converter. All of these can work together in countless ways. The petrol power comes from a 1.6-liter four-cylinder without turbo.
Has anything changed in that technique?
Not really, but Renault has improved the hybrid several times since its introduction in 2020. In the first hybrid Clios there was a whole orchestra of noises from the powertrain, but now the Clio remains nice and quiet. In total, the powertrain now delivers 145 hp, which means that the Clio is well served even in this relatively heavy (1,238 kg) form. Above 100 km / h, the fierceness is out, but acceleration is almost always smooth and fast. However, the powertrain still has its peculiarities, such as unexpected or delayed switching moments, but that is not really disturbing.
And does the Renault Clio also drive fine?
Nothing has actually changed in this area either, but that is good news. Driving does the Clio as usual in a pleasant way. It is not challengingly sporty or particularly sharp, but thanks to its direct steering and sturdy chassis it is nice and agile and light-footed.
What did change with the facelift of the Renault Clio, except for the nose?
We note still clear taillights and a different rear bumper, which is the same on all versions. The interior is introduced to new (leather-free) fabrics and materials, a new Renault logo on the steering wheel and some other equipment. For example, a 7-inch digital instrument panel is now standard, while Renault offers a 10-inch one as an option. The existing infotainment is simply transferred, including the screen that measures 9.3 inches in the most luxurious versions and stands vertically. That still looks nice, but in terms of speed, this system can no longer keep up with its rivals. Responses are often viscous and the Easy Link system shows that it is no longer the youngest.
And is the rest of the interior also outdated?
Not really. It is beautifully finished and designed with care for a car in this segment, while the seating position on the sporty seats of the Esprit Alpine is also well done. There is also little to criticize about the operation. There are large, clear and beautiful buttons for the inside temperature, the screen behind the steering wheel can be operated logically via buttons on that steering wheel. It is not a space miracle, by the way: the rear seat is quite tight and the hybrid version sacrifices considerably when it comes to luggage space, with a total of 301 liters.
Let me guess: Renault is using the facelift to raise prices considerably.
Surprise: no! At the time of writing, we only know one price, that of the top version. At €30,120, the Renault Clio E-Tech Hybrid Esprit Alpine is not a bargain, but it is nice and cheaper than its immediate predecessor. That E-Tech Engineered cost €30,865.
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– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl