Renault Clio 1.6

Is the third-generation Renault Clio - while still true to its supermini roots - still relevant to our market?

What's New
Fortunately for the all-new Renault Clio, nothing and everything at the same time. On one hand, the little French hatchback has been designed from a clean sheet, but on the other, it hasn't reinvented itself as a tall and clever all-purpose car like the Honda Jazz or Mitsubishi Colt. In short, the latest Clio is modelled after the traditional supermini but only bigger and safer.

How it Performs
The Highway, drove the 1.6-litre model which is currently the most powerful model until the 2.0-litre RenaultSport Clio arrives later next year.

Although the Clio uses the same 1.6-litre power unit as its larger sibling the Megane, the smaller hatchback's power output is reduced by 4bhp making for maximum output of 111bhp.

It's still adequate despite the Clio gaining a few kilos and inches all around. At 1,180kg and nearly four metres in length, it obviously won't be setting any racing hearts aflutter, but on the French country roads we tested it on, it manages to show a decent turn of speed thanks to its communicative steering and suspension set-up that makes the most of the available power to render an entertaining drive.

Its automatic transmission, traditionally not a Renault forte, pleasantly surprised us this time around as it was found to be less ponderous and its four forward ratios better matched than on a Megane with a similar engine.

Though ultimately still less rewarding to drive than a conventional manual transmission, its auto 'box complements the Clio's newfound talent.

For a car that's smaller than say, the current Volkswagen Golf, the Clio is endowed with a ride that's as refined and comfortable enough to keep up with the latter even if the French car ultimately looses out in terms of cabin space.

How it Stacks Up
Which brings up an important point about how the Clio might fare over here. Although prices and specifications for the local market have yet to be confirmed, Renault's representatives indicate that the Clio won't come cheap and with good reason. Safety. The Clio is Renault's eighth model to score a maximum five-star rating in the Euro NCAP crash tests.

To achieve this score, the Clio comes with more airbags than you can shake a stick at, Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and the latest generation of Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) among other safety features.

As admirable as its safety credentials seem, the hatchbacks the current market seems to want have clever cabins that offer lots of space seats that fold every which way.

It should be known that Renault also makes a hatch called the Modus that offers the latter and more.

However, those who value safety and a good drive above all else, will do well to wait for the Clio which should arrive by the first quarter of next year.

Technical Specifications

MODEL Renault Clio 1.6 ENGINE Engine: 1,589cc, 16V in-line 4 Max Power: 111bhp @ 6,000rpm Max Torque: 151Nm @ 4,250rpm TRANSMISSION 4-speed automatic TOP SPEED 186 kmh 0-100km/h 12.2s