2020 Clio prices, specs and engines 23 | 11 | 2020

    THE FIFTH-GENERATION of Renault’s Clio hatchback has received an electric boost with the inclusion of the new E-Tech model. The newcomer, which ranks top-of-the-range in terms of efficiency and power, is capable of delivering 80% of the owner’s urban drives using electric power alone. Priced from £19,595 in Play specification, the Clio E-Tech Hybrid is available now. (Related: Alonso returns to Renault F1 for 2021)

    Featuring a 138bhp 1.6-litre petrol engine, two electric motors and a 1.2kWh battery pack, Renault says the E-Tech should reduce urban fuel consumption by around 40% compared to a conventional petrol car.

    It will travel at speeds of up to around 27mph in electric mode, emits as little as 98g/km of CO2 (WLTP), and will return fuel economy of up to 64.2mpg.

    Inside the cabin of the E-Tech, there’s a range of EV-specific displays for the seven-inch digital instrument cluster and dash-mounted infotainment screen; these display information about the vehicle's battery charge level and electric motor status. There’s also a unique gear lever with an “E-Tech” badge and an “EV” button; the latter puts the car directly into all-electric mode, providing there is sufficient battery charge. (Related: Renault unveils all-new Clio MkV)

    Renault-Clio-E-Tech-2020-2.jpg

    What else is new?

    Measuring 4050mm in length, the new Clio range is slightly shorter than the car it replaces. It’s also slightly more compact, being 1798mm wide, and with a wheelbase of 2583mm; both a few millimetres shorter than the Mk4 Clio’s.

    However, the mew model is also significantly lighter than the outgoing version, with a kerbweight on the lightest variant of just 1042kg. (Related: Renault unveils limited Clio R.S 18)

    New from the ground up, every body panel is slightly different, although its exterior is clearly an evolution of the preceding model. That would appear to be a very sensible approach, given the Clio  is Europe's best selling supermini. In 2018 alone, 450,000 Clio models were sold. Many buyers highlighted the car's design as a primary reason for purchase.

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    Trim levels:

    The new supermini range now starts at £15,895. Four trim-levels are available: Play, Iconic, S Edition and R.S. Line. the entry-level Play spec includes LED headlights, air-conditioning, cruise control, a DAB radio,  electric front windows and 16in steel wheels as standard.

    There’s also a high level of safety equipment fitted, including autonomous emergency braking, traffic sign recognition, lane keeping assist, and lane departure warning, plus six airbags as standard and a speed limiter. (Related: Renault reveals new 2020 Captur)

    The Iconic trim — paced from £16,895 — adds keyless entry, rear parking sensors, more heavily tinted rear windows, and 16in alloys. Inside the cabin there’s also a leather steering wheel and a seven-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus some extra chrome trim.

    Renault-Clio-E-Tech-2020-4.jpg

    Priced from £18,595, the Clio S Edition adds a rear view camera, automatic wipers, front parking sensors and 17in diamond cut alloys. Inside there’s more tech, with a seven-inch digital instrument cluster, a 9.3-inch infotainment system and an improved stereo system.

    We’ve yet to receive details of plans for an  R.S.-badged hot hatchback. Till then, buyers who prefer a moe racy look will need to content themselves with the R.S. Line. Priced from £19,095, it gets a more aggressive front bumper, a gunmetal grey spoiler, a chrome exhaust tip and a unique set of 17in alloys.

    The cabin benefits from R.S.-branded sports seats in the front, plus some red trim for the dashboard and an aluminium pedal box. There’s also a perforated leather steering wheel, plus additional options, including heated leather seats,  a wireless smartphone charging pad and a larger digital instrument cluster.

    Renault-Clio-E-Tech-2020-5.jpg

    Engines and drivetrains:

    The entry-level engine is a naturally aspirated 71bhp,1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine which develops 95Nm of torque and is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. It takes 16.4-seconds to cover 0-62mph, but returns 52.3mpg.

    Next up is the TCe 100 unit, which is a turbocharged version of the same 1.0-litre unit and produces 99bhp and 160Nm. the 0-62mph time drops to 11.8s, while fuel consumption improves to 54.3mpg (WLTP).

    Renault-Clio-E-Tech-2020-6.jpg

    The most powerful petrol is the 124bhp TCe 130. The turbocharged 1.3-litre four-cylinder engine, which produces 240Nm of torque, see the Clio hit 62mph from standstill in 9.0s. Available only with a seven-speed automatic gearbox, it returns 49.6mpg at the pumps.

    There’s only one diesel in the range, the 84bhp dCi 85. The turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder unit, which is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox and delivers 220Nm of torque, returns 67.2mpg (WLTP).

    Renault-Clio-E-Tech-2020-7.jpg

    Related: Sportier Alpine A110S gets 288bhp

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    Jim McGill

     

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