Review: Small wonders
Under the hood, the 1.6-litre unit still has the same 110 horses but the Renault Clio has been retuned for a much smoother drive, says Samuel Ee.
Tue, Oct 06, 2009
The Business Times
By Samuel Ee
THE Renault Clio may not immediately come to mind when shopping around for a new car but the latest version has suddenly become a model worth taking a closer look at.
The current Clio was introduced here early last year and it sort of settled under the radar as just another European supermini. But a couple of things have made it a more attractive alternative - its refreshed looks and forex fluctuations.
The Clio has undergone an extensive facelift to make it more "likeable". There is a new bonnet, new lamps and new bumpers.
It may not actually be much sportier but it is sleeker and certainly easier on the eye.
Inside, the cabin has been given a minor but effective makeover. When it was first unveiled, the Clio had a grey dashboard and unsightly steering-mounted paddle shifts. Both are gone and there is now a stylish black fascia brightened up by matte silver trim.
More importantly, Renault engineers have lightened the car and improved the sound insulation significantly, so that road noise permeates the cabin less. The quieter engine also makes a difference.
Under the hood, the 1.6-litre unit still has the same 110 horses but it has been retuned for a much smoother drive.
As for the Clio's other recently acquired attraction, it is the price. It may not be lower but it has virtually closed the gap between it and its Japanese competitors because of the higher yen. It is substantial because it used to cost almost $10,000 more.
| Renault Clio |
| Engine: 1,598cc Transmission: 4-speed pro-active Power: 110 hp @ 6,000 rpm Torque: 151 Nm @ 4,250 rpm 0-100kmh: 12.2 secs Top speed: 186 kmh Price: $68,999 (with COE) Distributor: Wearnes Automotive |
Without the big price disadvantage, the Continental option becomes an extremely interesting one. The interior packaging of a European model is seldom as versatile as a Japanese car's, but the rear bench of the Clio still has excellent head and leg room.
The Clio's interior also uses nicer materials and it feels more stable and solid.
If the euro and the yen continue to stay where they are now, Renault and the rest of the mainstream European brands could soon be a permanent inclusion to most Singaporeans' shopping list.
samuelee@sph.com.sg
This article was first published in The Business Times.